Fetal Development Questions Related

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The nurse is explaining the process of cell division during the preembryonic period to a group of nursing students. Which statement best describes the characteristics of the morula?

  • A. Fertilized ovum before mitosis begins
  • B. Double layer of cells that becomes the placenta
  • C. Flattened, disk-shaped layer of cells within a fluid-filled sphere
  • D. Solid ball composed of the first cells formed after fertilization
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because a morula is a solid ball composed of the first cells formed after fertilization. During the preembryonic period, the zygote undergoes several rounds of cell division to form a morula, which is a compact cluster of cells. A: is incorrect as a fertilized ovum is a zygote, not a morula. B: is incorrect as the double layer of cells that becomes the placenta is the bilaminar germ disc, not the morula. C: is incorrect as a flattened, disk-shaped layer of cells within a fluid-filled sphere describes the blastocyst, not the morula. Thus, the characteristics of a morula being a solid ball composed of the first cells formed after fertilization make option D the correct choice.