An image showing things related to embryology - a fetus, sperm, a uterus, and follicles around the words "Embryo Tales"

Learning About Embryology

Embryology starts with the study of embryos and their development. It also includes all aspects of reproduction and related health as well. Scientists are still learning new things about reproduction and development every day. Embryo Tales are stories about this broad area of science. 

Embryo Tales are based on articles that are a part of the Embryo Project, which is an encyclopedia on all things embryology and reproduction. In these Embryo Tales, you may find stories on tissue development, menstruation, sex chromosomes, what it means to be intersex, the history of reproductive biology, and much, much more. 

If you want to take a step further and learn more about any of these subjects, look on each story page for the links to the Embryo Project articles on which they were based.

Special thanks to Arizona State University's Center for Biology and Society and to the editors who have helped create these stories: Dina Ziganshina, Risa Schnebly, Emily Santora, and Dr. Biology.

"Autism" written in chalk on a blackboard

All About Autism

Written by: 
Nathaniel Ross
You may have heard of autism before, but do you know what it really is? Learn about what it’s like to live with autism.
A scientist wearing thick blue gloves uses tongs to dip test tubes into a bath of liquid nitrogen. Steam rises from the cold-looking liquid.

Cells, Frozen in Time

Written by: 
Risa Aria Schnebly
If a living organism freezes, it can die. But by freezing living cells at just the right temperature, scientists can preserve living cells instead of killing them.
DNA double helix in blue

Confronting Human Chimerism

Written by: 
Tazeen Ulhaque
Most people have just one set of DNA throughout their body. But what happens to humans who are born with two sets?
An illustration of a female reproductive system with a ruptured fallopian tube with red blood drops coming out of it

Ectopic Pregnancy: An Unexpected Path

Written by: 
Logan Hunt
Pregnancy isn’t perfect, and many things can go wrong. What happens when a growing embryo is in the wrong part of the pregnant person's body?
crossed out silhouette of a pregnant woman reading "no alcohol"

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Pregnancy

Written by: 
Logan Hunt
Have you ever noticed that most people do not drink alcohol while pregnant? Let’s learn about why doing that is so important.
Illustrated image of a uterus

Focusing on Female Infertility

Written by: 
Emily Santora
What happens when a person wants to have a baby, but after years of trying, it just doesn’t happen? A lot of people want to become pregnant, but let’s learn about what may prevent pregnancy.
gastrulation and the germ layers

Getting to Know the Germ Layers

Written by: 
Claudia Nunez-Eddy and Risa Aria Schnebly
Almost all life forms start out as small cells, but how do they grow into entire animals? Read about the first step here: when cells in an embryo form germ layers that give rise to every organ and tissue in the body.
Someone raising their arm to show off armpit hair

Helpful Sex Hormones

Written by: 
Risa Aria Schnebly
Our biological sex is mainly controlled by our sex chromosomes. But sex hormones also influence what body parts and characteristics we have.
A small T shaped piece of plastic resting in an open palm

Introducing the IUD

Written by: 
Molly Jacobson
Doctors place Intrauterine Devices (IUD) in the bodies of some females to help prevent pregnancy. Learn about how these devices work and how long they’ve been around.
Fingers holding a menstrual cup

Menstruation Matters

Written by: 
Emily Santora
Periods are a natural, normal part of life, and many people around the world experience them. So let’s talk about why and how they happen.

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Embryo Tales are created from encyclopedia articles that are a part of the Embryo Project.

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