cleavage theory in genetics

Cleavage theory in genetics refers to how cells divide during early embryonic development. After fertilization, the embryo undergoes a series of rapid cell divisions called cleavage, where the single fertilized egg splits into smaller cells called blastomeres. These divisions increase cell number without growing in size, enabling the embryo to develop into a multicellular organism. Cleavage patterns vary among species and are influenced by factors like yolk content and cell specialization, helping to set the stage for subsequent growth and differentiation of tissues and organs.