Poultry Judging Practice Test

During incubation, which membrane forms under the embryo and collects water from the albumen?

1. Amnion

2. Yolk sac

3. Chorion

4. Allantois

The correct answer is: Amnion

The amnion is a critical membrane that develops during the incubation of an embryo. It serves to encapsulate the embryo within a fluid-filled sac, known as the amniotic cavity. This fluid, primarily composed of water, is essential for the embryo's development as it provides a cushioning effect, protecting the embryo from mechanical shocks and allowing it to move freely as it grows. Moreover, the amnion facilitates moisture retention by collecting water from the albumen, which is the egg white surrounding the yolk. This absorption is vital, as it helps maintain a stable environment around the embryo and prevents dehydration. While the yolk sac is responsible for nourishing the embryo by providing access to the nutrients from the yolk, the chorion plays a role in gas exchange, and the allantois handles waste management and also aids in respiration. Each of these membranes has specific functions, but it is the amnion that directly collects water from the albumen during the incubation process.