What is the fate of the cluster of cells in the blastocyst known as the inner cell mass?
Open in App
Solution
Blastocyst:
The zygote after fertilization undergoes rapid cell divisions and is called a blastocyst.
It has an outer protective covering called the trophoblast.
The cells attached to the trophoblast that occupy the center of the blastocyst are called the inner cell mass.
Fate of the inner cell mass:
The inner cell mass or embryoblast differentiates into three germline layers such as an outer layer called ectoderm and an inner layer called endoderm in between mesoderm.
The endoderm gives rise to the amniotic sac in which the embryo resides during pregnancy.
Later this blastocyst differentiates into an embryo and gives rise to fetal tissues.
