Human Development (biology) - Biological Development

Biological Development

From a biological standpoint, human development is a continuum, starting with the germ cells (ovum and spermatozoon), through fertilization, prenatal development, birth, and growth to adulthood. The germinal stage, refers to ovum (egg) prior to fertilization, through the development of the early embryo, up until the time of implantation. During this stage, the fertilization creates a single-celled zygote, which is defined as an embyro because it contains a full complement of genetic material. Prior to implantation, the embryo remains in a protein shell, the zona pellucida, and undergoes a series of cell divisions. A week after fertilization the embryo still has not grown in size, but hatches from its protein shell and adheres to the lining of the mother's uterus. This induces a decidual reaction, wherein the uterine cells proliferate and surround the embryo thus causing it to become embeded within the uterine tissue. The embryo, meanwhile, proliferates and develops both into embryonic and extra-embryonic tissue, the latter forming the fetal membranes and the placenta. In humans, the embryo is referred to as a fetus in the later stages of prenatal development. The transition from embryo to fetus is arbitrarily defined as occurring either 8 weeks after fertilization or 8 weeks after implantation. In comparison to the embryo, the fetus has more recognizable external features, and a set of progressively developing internal organs. A nearly identical process occurs in other species, especially among Chordates.

Childbirth is the process in which the baby is born. Age is defined relative to this event in most cultures.