Summary
The folding of the blastula that creates the three germ layers.
In depth
Cells move inward to form the three layers. In humans, the primitive streak forms in the epiblast, and cells ingress to make endoderm and mesoderm. It establishes the body plan.
Mechanisms include invagination, involution, ingression and epiboly. The result is an embryo with a gut tube and three layers arranged for organ formation.
Key idea: gastrulation sets up the basic body plan with correct positions of tissues.
Gastrulation is a dramatic rearrangement in which the single-layered blastula becomes a gastrula with three germ layers: ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm. Cells move inward by invagination, involution, ingression or delamination, creating the primitive gut (archenteron) and body axes.
In amniotes, cells migrate through a primitive streak; in frogs, they roll over the dorsal lip of the blastopore; in sea urchins, the vegetal plate folds inward. Lewis Wolpert said it is truly the most important time in your life.
Example: in deuterostomes, the blastopore becomes the anus; in protostomes, the mouth.
Frequently asked questions
What is Gastrulation?
The folding of the blastula that creates the three germ layers.
Which area of biology covers Gastrulation, and how advanced is it?
Gastrulation is one of the 54 topics in Developmental Biology. It is rated Beginner, so it suits learners who are starting out in biology. Related topics in this area include Neurulation, Spemann Organiser, Germ Layers and Their Fates.
Why does Gastrulation matter?
Failure of gastrulation is fatal.
Can you give an example of Gastrulation?
Lewis Wolpert said that gastrulation is truly the most important time in your life.
What should I learn before Gastrulation?
Gastrulation is a Beginner topic, so no earlier topic is required. Other Beginner topics in Developmental Biology that pair well with it include Fertilisation, Zygote, Embryo.
What topics are related to Gastrulation?
The closest topics to Gastrulation are Neurulation, Spemann Organiser, Germ Layers and Their Fates, Organogenesis. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Gastrulation?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Gastrulation. To practise the whole of Developmental Biology, use the Developmental Biology quiz.
How is Gastrulation different from Neurulation?
Gastrulation: The folding of the blastula that creates the three germ layers. Neurulation: Formation of the neural tube from ectoderm, the precursor of the brain and spinal cord. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Gastrulation step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Neurulation and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Developmental Biology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.