4-6 cell embryo. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of layers of a 4-6 cell embryo. The blastomeres (large, yellow) are the cells formed from divisions of the fertilized egg (ovum). Smaller 'fragments' of blastomeres are evident at centre top. Surrounding the embryo is a membranous envelope, the zona pellucida (pink). Beyond the zona pellucida is a layer composed of the metabolically active cumulus cells (blue). The cumulus cells provide the correct microenvironment for fertilization. Sperm must penetrate this cell layer in order to fertilize the egg. Magnification: x2,600 at 5x7cm size.

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