What is the process of gastrulation?

Gastrulation is the process during early development when the single-layered embryo turns into a multi-layered structure with three germ layers. During early stages of development, an embryo starts as a single layer of cells. This stage is called the blastula. The next important step is gastrulation, in which the blastula changes into a structure called the gastrula.

During gastrulation, three layers are formed:

• Ectoderm: This will form the skin, brain, and nerves.
• Mesoderm: This will form muscles, bones, heart, and blood.
• Endoderm: This will form the lungs, liver, and digestive system.

This transformation happens through cell movement, folding, and rearranging. Gastrulation is a key process because it lays the foundation for building all the organs and tissues of the body.

In short, gastrulation is the stage where the embryo organizes itself into three layers, each of which has a specific role in forming body parts.