Cleavage

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-002114",
  "term": "Cleavage",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "The rapid series of mitotic cell divisions that occur in an early embryo following fertilization, without an increase in overall embryo size. This process partitions the zygote into smaller cells called blastomeres, forming a multicellular structure. Cleavage patterns differ among species, leading to distinct developmental pathways.",
  "subject": "Chemistry and Human Health",
  "see_also": [
    "blastocyst",
    "blastomere",
    "blastula",
    "egg",
    "fertilization",
    "gastrulation",
    "holoblastic cleavage",
    "meroblastic cleavage",
    "trophoblast"
  ],
  "references": [
    "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)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/cleavage/"
}