What term describes a fertilized egg?

• A. Zygote
• B. Embryo
• C. Fetus
• D. Blastocyst

Answer: (A)

The term that describes a fertilized egg is "zygote." A zygote is the initial cellular structure formed immediately after the sperm fertilizes the egg. This single-celled entity contains genetic material from both parents, which will eventually contribute to the development of a new organism.

Following the formation of a zygote, it will undergo several rounds of cell division, leading to the formation of an embryo, which is the stage that follows the zygote in human development. Additionally, as development continues, the embryo transitions into a fetus, which represents a later stage in prenatal development. A blastocyst is an earlier stage of the developing embryo characterized by a hollow structure, which occurs about five days after fertilization, and it plays a critical role in implantation in the uterus.