An example of embryology is the study of the development of the human nervous system. During embryonic development, the neural plate forms, which eventually folds and fuses to create the neural tube. The neural tube then differentiates into different regions that give rise to the brain and spinal cord. Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in this process can help to explain how the nervous system develops and how it can go wrong in certain disorders, such as neural tube defects. Additionally, research in embryology has led to advances in the field of regenerative medicine, as scientists study how to regenerate damaged or diseased tissues and organs based on embryonic development processes.