Morphogenetic Movements

Gastrulation is a dynamic process including a variety of coordinated movements of cells of dissimilar areas of the blastula. The movements of cells in the embryo from one place to other to establish a specific form or structural arrangement are considered to as morphogenetic movement. (Morphos = shape; genesis = formation). Such types of movements take place during embryonic development (from the starting of gastrulation onwards) also in the adult body. In the adult body, these are reversible but the movements taking place during gastrulation ace irreversible. Gastrulation starts and proceeds as a result of the onset of several types of morphogenetic movements that are inherent to the particular category of cells. For convenience, these are described separately but it should be understood that two or more of them may take place simultaneously. generally, there are two groups of morphogenetic movements in embryonic development that is Epiboly and Emboly.