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How embryos pause growth in diapause — Level A1 — a close up of a white substance on a blue background

How embryos pause growth in diapauseCEFR A1

24 Dec 2025

LevelA1A2B1B2

Adapted from Rockefeller University, Futurity • CC BY 4.0

Photo by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Unsplash

Level A1 – Beginner
2 min
79 words
  • Many mammals can pause a pregnancy by using diapause.
  • Seals delay embryo implantation until the female has enough fat.
  • Hundreds of species use this strategy, from mice to moose.
  • Humans do not enter embryonic diapause like other mammals.
  • Scientists studied cells from mice to learn how diapause works.
  • The cells slowed metabolism and produced much less RNA and protein.
  • Despite low energy, the cells could still become any cell type.
  • When stress ended, cells resumed normal development and function.

Difficult words

  • diapause — A temporary stop of development in early embryos.
    embryonic diapause
  • implantation — When an embryo attaches to the mother's uterus.
  • embryo — An animal in very early development before birth.
  • embryonic — Relating to an embryo or early development.
  • metabolism — All chemical processes that keep a cell alive.
  • protein — A molecule that cells make and use.

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Discussion questions

  • Which animal in the article do you find most interesting?
  • Have you ever seen a seal, mouse, or moose?
  • Would you like to learn more about how cells can pause and then resume?

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