Question

During oogenesis, each diploid cell produces

• A. Four functional eggs
• B. Two functional eggs and two polar bodies
• C. One functional egg and three polar bodies
• D. Four functional polar bodies

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

One functional egg and three polar bodies

In human females, certain cells in the germinal epithelium divide by mitosis to produce a large number of oogonia (diploid). The oogonia multiply by mitotic divisions to form primary oocytes (diploid). Each primary oocyte undergoes two maturation divisions. In the first meiotic division the primary oocyte divides into two very unequal haploid daughter cells- a large secondary oocyte and a small first polar body. In the second maturation division (mitotic), the first polar body may divide to form two second polar bodies and the secondary oocyte divides to form two unequal daughter cells, a large ootid and a small polar body. The ootid grows into a haploid ovum. Thus, from one oogonium, one ovum and three polar bodies are formed.

So, the correct answer is 'One functional egg and three polar bodies'.