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 (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2015-1202)