cleavage

in embryology
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.10528

First few divisions of a fertilized egg.

Note: There is little or no growth during these divisions and the cytoplasm is cleaved into smaller and smaller units with individual biochemistry that contributes to subsequent cell differentiation.
See also: blastocyst, blastomere, blastula, gastrulation, holoblastic, meroblastic, trophoblast
Source:
PAC, 2016, 88, 713. (Glossary of terms used in developmental and reproductive toxicology (IUPAC Recommendations 2016)) on page 736 [Terms] [Paper]
Citation: 'cleavage' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.10528 RIS BibTex EndNote
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