A blastula is the next step of development after a zygote.  It is formed in the cleavage process as blastomeres arrange into a sphere.  

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A zygote is formed through the process of fertilization.  It is a single cell that goes on to mitotically divide in order to produce all of the cells of an organism's body.  

Zygote

Embryonic cleavage is the stage of embryogenesis immediately following fertilization, characterized by rapid mitotic cell divisions. During this process, the zygote's cytoplasm is partitioned into many smaller cells that eventually arrange themselves into a spherical shape.

Embryonic Cleavage

Barresi, M. J., &amp; Gilbert, S. F. (2020). Developmental Biology (12th ed.). New York: Sinauer.

Developmental Biology (12th ed.)

Blastula

Blastomeres are the cells that make up a blastula.  They form as a zygote's cytoplasm divides into smaller cells through mitotic division.  

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