What is the only functional gamete produced during the process of oogenesis? a. ovum b. first polar body c. third polar body d. second polar body
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is a. ovum.
During oogenesis, a single primary oocyte undergoes meiosis to eventually produce one functional gamete called the ovum and smaller cells known as polar bodies. The polar bodies are byproducts of the division process and typically do not develop into functional gametes.
Oogenesis begins with a diploid primary oocyte. This cell undergoes the first meiotic division to form two cells of unequal size: a large secondary oocyte and a small first polar body. The secondary oocyte receives most of the cytoplasm, which is essential for nourishing the future embryo. The first polar body is much smaller and usually degenerates.
The secondary oocyte then undergoes the second meiotic division, but this division is completed only if fertilization occurs. This division produces one large ovum and a second polar body. Similar to the first polar body, the second polar body is small and generally disintegrates. The first polar body may also divide to produce two smaller polar bodies, but none of these polar bodies function as gametes.
The ovum is the only cell that contains sufficient cytoplasm and organelles to support early development after fertilization. It is the mature female gamete capable of uniting with a sperm cell to form a zygote. The polar bodies act as a mechanism to discard the extra haploid sets of chromosomes while conserving cytoplasm within the ovum.
In summary, during oogenesis, the process is designed to produce one large, nutrient-rich ovum and smaller, nonfunctional polar bodies. Only the ovum serves as a functional female gamete ready for fertilization.