What stage follows the morula in embryonic development?

In embryonic development, the stage that follows the morula is the blastocyst. After several rounds of cell division following fertilization, the developing embryo forms a solid ball of cells known as the morula. As development continues, this morula undergoes further cell division and differentiation, leading to the formation of the blastocyst.

The blastocyst consists of an inner cell mass, which will eventually develop into the embryo itself, and an outer layer called the trophoblast, which will contribute to the formation of the placenta. This is a crucial transition in development because it prepares the embryo for implantation into the uterine wall, where further growth and differentiation occur.

The other stages mentioned—zygote, gastrula, and somite—represent different phases of embryonic development. The zygote is the initial cell formed upon fertilization, while the gastrula follows the blastula stage, which is after the blastocyst. Somites are structures that form later during embryonic development from the mesoderm and are important for the development of the vertebrae and associated musculature. Each of these other stages represents a distinct part of the developmental timeline, making the blastocyst the appropriate answer following the morula.