Prenatal Development

Start with the stages

The mind map “Prenatal Development” is a useful starting point for following the sequence from conception to birth. It introduces the germinal stage and terms such as zygote, morula and blastocyst. Its branches also group development into early and later periods, so you can use the map to organize your study.

Next, look at “Embryonic Development”. It groups material by trimester and shorter periods within pregnancy. Comparing the two maps can help you see how their creators organize the same broad span of development.

Check what you remember

The “Pregnancy” quiz asks for descriptions of the developing embryo and fetus at different points. After studying a map, try the quiz and use its questions to identify which periods you want to look at again. Return to the relevant branches of a map before another attempt.

For a different set of questions, “Developmental Biology” includes material on problems encountered during development and the PAX-6 gene. Its questions offer another way to explore the topic after you have worked through the introductory maps.

Explore early development

“Development of the embryo” includes information about the amnion and chorion. A flashcard deck also lists terms such as fertilization, cleavage, morphogenesis, differentiation and implantation. Use the cards alongside the map: find a term on a card, then look for the related stage or structure in the map.

Place the topic in the unit

Prenatal Development is a section of Human Reproduction and Development in Biology and natural sciences. The resources on this page offer different ways to study that section, from visual summaries to questions and key terms. Choose a map, then use a quiz or flashcards to continue your study.