Question

The stage of prenatal development during which the developing organism is most vulnerable to injury is the: A. zygotic stage. B. germinal stage. C. embryonic stage. D. fetal stage.

Short answer

Answer: Embryonic stage.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the stages of prenatal development

The prenatal development process has four main stages: zygotic stage, germinal stage, embryonic stage, and fetal stage. Here is a brief overview of each stage: - Zygotic stage: This stage begins at fertilization when the sperm and egg form a zygote. It is the very beginning of the development process. - Germinal stage: This stage starts after the zygote begins to divide through the process of cell division, resulting in a ball of cells called a blastocyst. - Embryonic stage: During the embryonic stage, the blastocyst implants in the uterus, and major organs systems start forming, such as the nervous system, heart, and digestive system. - Fetal stage: This stage begins about 8 weeks after fertilization and continues until birth. During this stage, the organs continue to develop and mature, and the fetus grows in size.

Determine the stage with the highest vulnerability to injury

During the embryonic stage, the process of organogenesis (the formation and development of the body's organs) takes place. The developing organism is most vulnerable to injury during this stage because any damage to the developing organs can result in serious birth defects and potentially lifelong complications.

Choose the correct answer

Based on the information provided in steps 1 and 2, it is clear that the most vulnerable stage to injury during prenatal development is the embryonic stage. Therefore, the correct answer is: C. Embryonic stage.