What type of cleavage is observed in mammalian zygotes?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Mammalian eggs contain very little yolk, resulting in holoblastic cleavage where the entire zygote divides completely during early embryonic development. Furthermore, mammalian early blastomeres are indeterminate, meaning each cell retains the capacity to develop into a complete organism if separated. Options suggesting meroblastic cleavage apply strictly to heavily yolked eggs such as those of birds and reptiles.