Embryo
An early stage of development in multicellular organisms, from fertilization until the organism has developed its basic body plan. In humans, the embryonic stage lasts about 8 weeks.
Used in the Books
This term appears in 4 chapters:
"...ibitors prevent germination until the moisture pattern proves it's actually spring, not a false alarm. Some have developmental requirements: The embryo inside the seed isn't mature enough to germinate, even if external conditions are perfect. Mayapple seeds require 18 months of specific temperature s..."
"... differ fundamentally in reproductive biology: marsupials give birth to underdeveloped young that complete development in a pouch; placentals nourish embryos via a placenta and give birth to more developed young. This developmental difference constrains marsupial evolution - marsupial forelimbs must be suf..."
"...Biological analog: Organisms transitioning from embryonic (rapid, unstructured growth) to juvenile (structured growth with differentiated systems). Embryos grow cells rapidly without differentiation; juveniles grow with organ specialization. Organizational manifestation**: Startups pre-product-market ..."
"Chapter 5: Modularity - Building Complexity from Interchangeable Parts Introduction In every developing embryo - from fruit flies to fish to humans - a small cluster of cells makes a momentous decision: it determines the fundamental architecture of the body."
Biological Context
During embryonic development, a single cell becomes a complex organism through cell division, differentiation, and morphogenesis. Embryonic cells are initially totipotent (can become any cell type), then progressively specialize. Embryonic development follows conserved genetic programs across species.
Business Application
Embryonic businesses: early-stage ventures where the basic structure is still forming. Like biological embryos, they're vulnerable but have maximum potential for different developmental paths. The embryonic phase determines fundamental architecture.