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Morula
Morula The preimplantation embryo 3-4 days after fertilization, when it is a solid mass composed of 12-32 cells (blastomeres). After the eight-cell stage, the cells of the preimplantation embryo begin to adhere to each other more tightly, becoming "compacted". The resulting embryo resembles a mulberry and is called a morula (Latin: morus = mulberry).
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Embryo
The early stages of development before an organism becomes self supporting.
Fertilization
The combining of the genetic material carried by sperm and egg to create an embryo. Normally occurs inside the fallopian tube (in vivo) but may also occur in a petri dish (in vitro).
Morula
The preimplantation embryo 3-4 days after fertilization, when it is a solid mass composed of 12-32 cells (blastomeres). After the eight-cell stage, the cells of the preimplantation embryo begin to adhere to each other more tightly, becoming "compacted". The resulting embryo resembles a mulberry and is called a morula (Latin: morus = mulberry).
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
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Methylation
A biochemical process involving the addition of chemical tags called methyl groups (-CH3) to DNA. Methylation can be a signal for a gene or a section of a chromosome to turn off gene expression and become inactive or "silent".
Minor H antigens
Or minor histocompatibility antigens. A group of proteins (in addition to those encoded by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) that can cause transplant tissue rejection. Minor H antigens can cause tissue rejection even when donor and recipient are matched for MHC. Immune response to minor H antigens is far less potent than response to MHC-encoded proteins, so the rejection is a slower process.
Mitochondrial heteroplasmy
An atypical condition characterized by the presence of more than one type of mitochondrial DNA in a single individual. Normally, each individual has only one type of mitochondrial DNA, inherited from his or her mother through the egg at fertilization. (Mitochondria from the sperm are systematically eliminated by the egg at fertilization.)Cloned organisms may exhibit mitochondrial heteroplasmy (having a mixture of mitochondria from both the donor cell and the recipient egg) because this elimination system may be bypassed during the cloning process.
Mitochondrion
Plural: mitochondria. A cellular structure in the cytoplasm that provides energy to the cell. Each cell contains many mitochondria. In humans, a single mitochondrion contains 37 genes on a circular mitochondrial DNA, compared with about 35,000 genes contained in the nuclear DNA.
Monozygotic twins
Twins derived from one egg and one sperm (often called identical twins).
Morula
Multipotent stem cells
Stem cells from the embryo, fetus, or adult, whose progeny are of multiple differentiated cell types and usually, but not necessarily, all of a particular tissue, organ, or physiological system.
Mutation
A change in DNA that alters a gene and thus the gene's product, leading in some cases to deformity or disease. Mutations can occur spontaneously during cell division or can be triggered by environmental stresses, such as sunlight, radiation, and chemicals.
Magnesium sulfate
One of a group of drugs called tocolytics used to stop preterm labor.
Marasmus
A severe case of malnutrition.
Maternal and child health services
Programs and facilities focused on caring for mothers and children, oftenproviding pre- and post-natal care, infant care, and birth control.
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