Question

Polar bodies

• A. Nurse the egg as it leaves the follicle
• B. Is extra chromosomal material representing the X chromosome in each female cell
• C. Orient the sperm toward the egg
• D. Allow a reduction in chromosomes while preserving all the food for one egg

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Allow a reduction in chromosomes while preserving all the food for one egg

The cell that results from the asymmetric division of an oocyte is a polar body. In animals and humans, polar bodies are produced after every meiotic division. They are relatively smaller in size due to less cytoplasm compared to the gametocyte that will become the ovum. This is essential so that much of the cytoplasm is available and the chromosomal content is halved at the time of fertilization. The polar bodies will eventually degenerate.

So the correct option is 'allow a reduction in chromosomes while preserving all the food for one egg'.