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?
Three mice on a blue blanket. The mouse on the right has one red eye and one black eye, showing that it is a chimera.

Creating Chimeras

Written by: 
Tazeen Ulhaque
Most organisms have just one set of DNA. So why would some scientists want to work with or create organisms that have two sets of DNA?
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.
Four colorful striped flags representing the gender fluid, agender, non-binary, and trans people.

Gender Identities and Expression

Written by: 
Risa Aria Schnebly
There are more genders than just “man” or “woman” that a person can identify as. Let’s explore a variety of gender identities and learn about their history.
An illustration of rainbow figures with symbols typically associated with being male or female mixed up to indicate a diversity of sexes and genders.

Gender Versus Biological Sex: What’s the Difference?

Written by: 
Risa Aria Schnebly
You might have heard of both gender and sex before, but what’s the difference? Sex is based in the biology of body parts, but gender is socially constructed and based on much more.
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.

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

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