During which prenatal stage do organs and major systems begin to develop?

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Multiple Choice

During which prenatal stage do organs and major systems begin to develop?

Organ development begins during the embryonic stage. This stage, roughly from the third through the eighth week after conception, is when organogenesis occurs—the major organs and body systems start to form. You can see early heartbeats, neural tube development into the brain and spinal cord, and the beginnings of limbs and other organs during this window. Before this stage, in the germinal period, there isn’t yet organized organ formation, just rapid cell division and implantation. After the embryonic stage, in the fetal stage, the already-formed organs grow and mature rather than new organs appearing. Postnatal refers to development after birth.

Organ development begins during the embryonic stage. This stage, roughly from the third through the eighth week after conception, is when organogenesis occurs—the major organs and body systems start to form. You can see early heartbeats, neural tube development into the brain and spinal cord, and the beginnings of limbs and other organs during this window. Before this stage, in the germinal period, there isn’t yet organized organ formation, just rapid cell division and implantation. After the embryonic stage, in the fetal stage, the already-formed organs grow and mature rather than new organs appearing. Postnatal refers to development after birth.

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