gastrulation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Academic, Technical
Quick answer
What does “gastrulation” mean?
The stage in embryonic development where a single-layered blastula reorganizes into a multi-layered structure called the gastrula.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The stage in embryonic development where a single-layered blastula reorganizes into a multi-layered structure called the gastrula.
The process of forming distinct germ layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm) that give rise to all tissues and organs in an animal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No lexical or usage differences. Minor pronunciation differences (see IPA).
Connotations
None beyond the technical biological process.
Frequency
Extremely rare outside academic/medical texts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “gastrulation” in a Sentence
The gastrulation of [organism] involves...Gastrulation occurs via...Researchers observed gastrulation in...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gastrulation” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The embryo begins to gastrulate at approximately day 16.
American English
- The frog embryo will gastrulate within hours of fertilization.
adjective
British English
- The gastrulation movements were captured on film.
American English
- Key gastrulation genes were identified in the study.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Core term in developmental biology, embryology, and medical studies.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Precise description of a specific embryological event.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gastrulation”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gastrulation”
- Misspelling as 'gastrualation' or 'gastrolation'.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'the embryo gastrulates' is correct, but 'gastrulationing' is not).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the specific mechanisms (e.g., invagination, ingression, delamination) vary between species, but the outcome—formation of germ layers—is a conserved feature.
Generally no, as it occurs at a microscopic, cellular level in most embryos, though in larger eggs (like a chick's) the visible primitive streak is a sign of gastrulation.
Gastrulation is followed by organogenesis, where the germ layers differentiate into the rudimentary structures of all the body's organs and tissues.
Understanding gastrulation is vital for grasping fundamental principles of development, the origins of birth defects, and the basis of stem cell differentiation and regenerative medicine.
The stage in embryonic development where a single-layered blastula reorganizes into a multi-layered structure called the gastrula.
Gastrulation is usually academic, technical in register.
Gastrulation: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡæstrʊˈleɪʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡæstrəˈleɪʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'GASTRULA-tion' – forming a GASTRULA (a stage), like 'installation' is installing something.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often described as a 'folding' or 'invagination' event, like pushing a finger into a soft ball.
Practice
Quiz
Gastrulation is a key process in which field?