In sea urchins, the process of fertilization produces a(n) _. archenteron morula gastrula gamete zygote
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is zygote.
Fertilization in sea urchins, as in many other animals, is the process where a sperm cell fuses with an egg cell (gamete) to form a single cell called a zygote. This zygote is the very first stage of a new organism’s development, containing genetic material from both parents.
After fertilization, the zygote undergoes multiple rounds of cell division, called cleavage, leading to the formation of a cluster of cells known as the morula. As development continues, the morula transforms into a hollow structure called the blastula. Following the blastula stage, the embryo begins to undergo gastrulation, forming a structure called the gastrula, which has distinct layers that will later develop into different tissues and organs.
The archenteron is a term that refers to the primitive gut formed during the gastrula stage. It is a cavity that eventually develops into the digestive tract.
The gamete refers to the reproductive cells, sperm or egg, before fertilization.
Therefore, immediately after fertilization, the product is the zygote, a single diploid cell formed from the union of the haploid sperm and egg. This zygote will then begin a series of developmental stages that include morula, blastula, gastrula, and eventually the formation of the archenteron during embryogenesis.