Question

What is holoblastic equal and holoblastic unequal cleavage? Explain.

Answer 1

Dear student,

Cleavage in an egg can be holoblastic or meroblastic depending on the amount of yolk in the egg.

Holoblastic cleavage can be further divided into two types, depending on size of blastomeres produced during cleavage:
1. Holoblastic equal cleavage: In this, blastomeres of approximately same size are produced. e.g. egg of Amphioxus.

2. Holoblastic unequal cleavage: In this, blastomeres produced are of unequal size. e.g. egg of frog.

In both the cases, cleavage is equal but the size of blastomeres produced is different. Hence, the classification.

Regards