Episode 155: Embryology and Development

An introduction to the process of development, beginning with fertilisation and covering the stages of blastocyst formation, implantation into the uterus, gastrulation and its constituent cell movements, neurulation and the role of the notochord, and the beginnings of organogenesis. We also discuss the differences in gastrulation between protostomes and deuterostomes, along with the many specialised structures found in amniotes to protect the growing embryo from drying out. We conclude with overview of some of the genetic mechanisms government the development process, including Hox genes and their role in governing genetic regulatory networks. Recommended prelistening is Episode 25: Tissues, Organs, and Systems. If you enjoyed the podcast please consider supporting the show by making a PayPal donation or becoming a Patreon supporter.

You can listen to Episode 155: Embryology and Development online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Episode 155: Embryology and Development is an episode from The Science of Everything Podcast by James Fodor.

This episode is 70:28 long.

This episode was published on Oct 24, 2025.

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