cleavage (cell biology)

Cleavage in cell biology is the initial process of cell division that occurs right after fertilization. It involves a single fertilized egg (zygote) dividing multiple times to produce smaller cells called blastomeres. This rapid division increases the number of cells without growing the overall size of the embryo. Cleavage prepares the embryo for later development stages by forming a multicellular structure, eventually leading to the formation of the embryo proper. It’s an essential early step that sets the foundation for all subsequent development.