Which stage of prenatal development is initiated by the process of conception?

The germinal stage of prenatal development marks the very beginning of the pregnancy and is initiated by the process of conception. This stage occurs in the first two weeks following fertilization when the fertilized egg, or zygote, begins to divide and grow as it travels down the fallopian tube toward the uterus. During this time, it undergoes several cell divisions and eventually forms a blastocyst. This stage is crucial as it sets the foundation for further developments that occur in the subsequent embryonic and fetal stages. The correct identification of this stage emphasizes the significance of conception as the starting point of development, leading to the eventual attachment of the blastocyst to the uterine wall where it will continue to grow and develop into an embryo and later a fetus.