Morula vs. Blastula: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
The morula is an early-stage embryo composed of solid cells, while the blastula is a later stage with a hollow cavity.
Key Differences
The morula is an early embryonic stage, consisting of a solid ball of cells. The blastula follows the morula stage, characterized by the formation of a fluid-filled cavity.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
In the morula, cells are closely packed without a central cavity. In the blastula, cells are arranged around a central fluid-filled space called the blastocoel.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
The morula forms through repeated cell divisions following fertilization. The blastula develops from the morula as cells continue to divide and differentiate.
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Dec 08, 2023
The morula's primary role is to initiate embryonic development. The blastula is crucial for establishing the basic structure of the embryo and preparing for further differentiation.
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Dec 08, 2023
The morula resembles a mulberry, compact and solid. The blastula is more like a hollow sphere, signifying a significant developmental transition.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Function
Initiation of embryonic development
Basic structure and differentiation
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Dec 08, 2023
Structural Appearance
Compact, mulberry-like
Hollow sphere with a blastocoel
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Dec 08, 2023
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Morula and Blastula Definitions
Morula
An early-stage embryo with solid cells.
The morula, visible under the microscope, indicated the start of embryonic development.
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Nov 26, 2023
Blastula
A stage in embryonic development with a hollow cavity.
The blastula is recognized by its characteristic blastocoel.
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Nov 26, 2023
Morula
The stage preceding the blastula.
Following the morula stage, the embryo will form a blastula.
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Nov 26, 2023
Blastula
Develops from the morula stage.
The transition from morula to blastula marks a key developmental milestone.
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Nov 26, 2023
Morula
Formed through cell division after fertilization.
The morula results from the zygote's rapid and repeated cell divisions.
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Nov 26, 2023
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Blastula
A precursor to the formation of germ layers.
The blastula stage precedes the formation of primary germ layers.
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Nov 26, 2023
Morula
Characterized by a lack of internal cavities.
In the morula stage, the cells are densely packed without any cavity.
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Nov 26, 2023
Blastula
A spherical layer of cells enclosing a cavity.
The blastula's spherical shape is essential for the next stages of embryogenesis.
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Nov 26, 2023
Morula
A compact ball of cells post-fertilization.
The fertilized egg developed into a morula before differentiating further.
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Nov 26, 2023
Blastula
Characterized by a fluid-filled space called the blastocoel.
The blastula's blastocoel plays a crucial role in subsequent development stages.
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Nov 26, 2023
Morula
The spherical embryonic mass of blastomeres formed before the blastula and resulting from cleavage of the fertilized ovum.
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Oct 19, 2023
Blastula
An early embryonic form produced by cleavage of a fertilized ovum and consisting of a spherical layer of cells surrounding a fluid-filled cavity. Also called blastosphere.
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Oct 19, 2023
Morula
(embryology) A spherical mass of blastomeres that forms following the splitting of a zygote; it becomes the blastula
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Oct 19, 2023
Blastula
(embryology) An early form in the development of an embryo, consisting of a spherical layer of cells filled with fluid; a blastosphere.
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Oct 19, 2023
Morula
The sphere or globular mass of cells (blastomeres), formed by the clevage of the ovum or egg in the first stages of its development; - called also mulberry mass, segmentation sphere, and blastosphere. See Segmentation.
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Oct 19, 2023
Blastula
That stage in the development of the ovum in which the outer cells of the morula become more defined and form the blastoderm.
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Oct 19, 2023
Morula
A solid mass of blastomeres that forms when the zygote splits; develops into the blastula
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Blastula
Early stage of an embryo produced by cleavage of an ovum; a liquid-filled sphere whose wall is composed of a single layer of cells; during this stage (about eight days after fertilization) implantation in the wall of the uterus occurs
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Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is a morula?
A morula is an early-stage embryo consisting of a solid ball of cells.
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Dec 08, 2023
How does a blastula form?
A blastula forms from the morula as cells continue to divide and a central cavity develops.
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Dec 08, 2023
At what stage does the morula appear?
The morula appears a few days after fertilization.
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Dec 08, 2023
What is the significance of the blastocoel in the blastula?
The blastocoel is a fluid-filled cavity that is crucial for the embryo's structure and development.
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Dec 08, 2023
Do all animals form a morula?
Most multicellular organisms go through a morula stage in early development.
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Dec 08, 2023
What happens after the blastula stage?
After the blastula stage, the embryo typically develops into the gastrula stage.
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Dec 08, 2023
Can a morula implant in the uterus?
The morula can begin implantation processes, but it's usually the blastocyst, a stage after the blastula, that implants.
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Dec 08, 2023
How is the morula nourished?
The morula is nourished by nutrients in the fallopian tube before reaching the uterus.
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Dec 08, 2023
Is the blastula visible to the naked eye?
No, the blastula is microscopic and requires a microscope to be seen.
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Dec 08, 2023
How long does the blastula stage last?
The duration of the blastula stage varies depending on the species.
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Dec 08, 2023
Can the blastula stage be used for scientific research?
Yes, the blastula stage is often studied in embryology and developmental biology.
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Dec 08, 2023
What is the size of a morula?
A morula is about the same size as the original zygote, despite having more cells.
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Dec 08, 2023
Is a morula specific to mammals?
No, the morula stage is common in the early development of many multicellular organisms, not just mammals.
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Dec 08, 2023
Are the cells in a blastula differentiated?
Cells in a blastula are generally undifferentiated and will differentiate in later stages.
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Dec 08, 2023
Does the blastula contain stem cells?
Yes, the cells in a blastula are considered pluripotent stem cells.
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Dec 08, 2023
What differentiates a morula from a blastula?
The main difference is the presence of a central cavity in the blastula, which the morula lacks.
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Dec 08, 2023
Are the cells in a morula identical?
Initially, the cells in a morula are relatively similar, but they start to diversify as development progresses.
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Dec 08, 2023
What comes after the blastula in human development?
In human development, the blastula is followed by the formation of the gastrula.
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Dec 08, 2023
What is the role of the blastula in development?
The blastula sets the stage for the formation of germ layers and organ development.
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Dec 08, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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