Embryonic Development: Cleavage & Formation of Blastocyst -
The mitotic division starts as the zygote moves through the isthmus of the oviduct called cleavage towards the uterus and forms 2, 4, 8, 16 daughter cells called blastomeres.
When the blastomeres divide completely the cleavage is called holoblastic cleavage..
Also, In mammals, the zygote divides into equal blastomeres and thus, cleavage is called holoblastic equal.
Significance of Cleavage:
Cleavage distributes the cytoplasm of the zygote amongst the blastomeres.
It allows for morphogenetic movements necessary for cell differentiation, germ layer formation and tissue and organ formation.
It converts the unicellular zygote into a multicellular organism