Hey there! Have you ever wondered how babies are made? It’s a fascinating process that involves a sperm cell meeting an egg cell, also known as an “oocyte.” When these two cells come together, they start dividing and eventually form an embryo, which grows into a baby. This can happen naturally or with the help of science through methods like in-vitro fertilization or artificial insemination.
Before 1827, people had some pretty wild ideas about how humans developed. They thought that a tiny human, called a “homunculus,” was inside the sperm and just grew bigger inside the womb. But in 1827, a scientist named Karl Ernst Ritter von Baer discovered the egg, or “mammalian ovum,” changing our understanding forever. Since then, we’ve learned that both sperm and egg are needed to create a baby.
In 2004, scientists tried to trick egg cells into thinking they were fertilized, causing them to start dividing. However, these artificially fertilized eggs couldn’t survive long because they lacked both genetic contributions. But then, on September 13, 2016, researchers at Bath University in the UK made an exciting discovery. They managed to fertilize a special type of embryo called a haploid parthenogenote using mice. This suggested that maybe only the sperm part is necessary.
This discovery is a big deal because it shows that the process of reprogramming sperm for embryonic development can happen outside the egg cell. However, it doesn’t mean we can create a baby from just any cell. It gives us new insights into how embryos develop, but we still need both sperm and egg to make a baby—unless we find a way for men to become pregnant, which hasn’t happened yet!
If you’re curious about why we have sex in the first place, there’s a cool video with Trace that explains it in a unique way. Also, if you love 360 and VR videos, check out the new Seeker VR channel for an immersive experience using the YouTube app or a VR device.
What do you think? Will we ever be able to create a baby without both genetic contributions? Share your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to like and subscribe for more exciting science content every day!
Imagine you’re a scientist explaining the process of making babies to someone from the 1800s. Create a comic strip that illustrates the journey of a sperm and an egg meeting, and how this understanding has evolved over time. Use your creativity to make it fun and informative!
Get into groups and role-play as scientists from different eras. One group can be from before 1827, believing in the “homunculus” theory, while another group represents Karl Ernst Ritter von Baer explaining the discovery of the egg. Present your theories and discoveries to the class!
In pairs, design a simple science experiment that demonstrates cell division. Use materials like clay or playdough to model the process of a fertilized egg dividing into multiple cells. Present your experiment and explain the significance of each stage of development.
Participate in a class debate about the future of reproduction. One side argues for the potential of creating babies without both genetic contributions, while the other side discusses the importance of traditional reproduction methods. Use evidence from the article to support your arguments.
Watch the recommended VR video on the Seeker VR channel. Write a short reflection on how this immersive experience helped you understand the science of making babies better. Share your thoughts with the class and discuss the potential of VR in education.
Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
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Women! You can’t live with them, can’t live without them. Or can you? Hello, everyone! I’m Jules here for DNews.
Making a baby is pretty straightforward. At a basic biological level, it simply comes down to a sperm cell fertilizing an egg cell, also called an “oocyte,” which undergoes cell division and develops into an embryo, eventually becoming a baby. How that happens—whether through in-vitro fertilization, artificial insemination, or natural conception—is somewhat beside the point when it comes to nature.
Historically, before 1827, scientists believed that humans developed exclusively from semen, which they thought contained a tiny human, known as a “homunculus,” that grew larger inside the womb. However, in 1827, Karl Ernst Ritter von Baer became the first to observe the egg, referred to as the “mammalian ovum.” Since then, we haven’t found anything else that can be mixed with sperm to create a baby.
In 2004, there was a brief attempt to trick egg cells into thinking they had been fertilized, which caused them to start dividing and turn into zygotes. However, it was found that you cannot create a whole mammal without both genetic contributions, and the artificially fertilized eggs did not survive long.
That was the case until September 13, 2016, when scientists at Bath University in the UK published a study showing that they were able to fertilize a type of embryo called a haploid parthenogenote using mice. This is significant because it suggests that we might only need the sperm part of the equation. However, it’s important to note that the haploid parthenogenote was derived from a female unfertilized egg that had been tricked into dividing.
This discovery is groundbreaking because it indicates that the reprogramming of sperm necessary for embryonic development can occur outside of the singular egg cell. While this doesn’t mean we can create a baby from just any cell, it does reveal new insights into embryonic development.
So, it seems we still need women to make babies—unless we can find a way for men to become pregnant. Or have we already? Stay tuned for more on this topic in a video coming out later today!
Also, if you enjoy 360 and VR videos, Seeker has launched a new Seeker VR channel, perfect for watching your favorite videos using the YouTube app or a VR device.
So why do we even have sex in the first place? It may seem obvious, but check out this video with Trace for a unique explanation.
What do you think? Do you believe we’ll ever be able to create a baby without both genetic contributions? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to like and subscribe for more DNews every day of the week!
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This version maintains the core content while removing any inappropriate language or phrasing.
Sperm – The male reproductive cell that is involved in sexual reproduction. – In biology class, we learned that the sperm cell swims towards the egg to achieve fertilization.
Egg – The female reproductive cell that is involved in sexual reproduction. – The egg cell is larger than the sperm cell and contains nutrients to support the early stages of development.
Embryo – An early stage of development in multicellular organisms after fertilization. – The embryo begins to form tissues and organs as it develops in the mother’s womb.
Fertilization – The process by which a sperm cell and an egg cell combine to form a new organism. – Fertilization is a crucial step in the reproduction process, leading to the formation of a zygote.
Genetic – Relating to genes or heredity, the passing of traits from parents to offspring. – Genetic information is encoded in DNA and determines the characteristics of an organism.
Development – The process by which an organism grows and develops, involving changes in size, shape, and function. – The development of a frog from a tadpole to an adult is a fascinating transformation.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs, or the background of a specific scientific concept. – The history of genetics began with Gregor Mendel’s experiments on pea plants.
Science – The systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. – Science helps us understand the natural world and solve complex problems through research and experimentation.
Insights – Deep understanding or knowledge gained through scientific observation and study. – The scientist’s insights into cell division led to new treatments for diseases.
Reproduction – The biological process by which new individual organisms are produced. – Reproduction can be sexual or asexual, depending on the species and environmental conditions.
