Here's why the primitive streak is considered the first organ:
* It's the first structure to appear on the dorsal surface of the embryo. This occurs around 14 days after fertilization.
* It establishes the body's main axis. The primitive streak defines the head-to-tail direction and the left and right sides of the developing embryo.
* It initiates gastrulation. This is a critical process where the single-layered embryo transforms into a three-layered embryo (ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm) which will eventually give rise to all of the body's organs.
While the primitive streak itself isn't a functional organ, it's essential for the formation of all other organs. It's the foundational structure for a developing human.