Blastocoel

Definition

The blastocoel is a fluid-filled cavity inside the blastula, an early stage of embryonic development in animals. It forms during the process known as blastulation, providing the embryo with a structure that separates the blastomeres (embryonic cells) from the yolk.

Related terms

Blastula: The stage of embryonic development characterized by a hollow sphere of cells enclosing the blastocoel.

Blastulation: The process during embryogenesis that leads to the formation of the blastula and involves significant cell division and organization.

Zygote:

A fertilized egg cell that represents the earliest stage of development before undergoing division to eventually form a blastula