Question

Which of the following is not a function of the oocyte during fertilisation?

• A. It supplies a haploid set of chromosomes to the future embryo.
• B. It provides most of the cytoplasm to the embryo.
• C. It supplies mitochindria to the embryo.
• D. It supplies centrioles for the cell division.

Answer 1

The correct option is D It supplies centrioles for the cell division.

The secondary oocyte plays a variety of roles during fertilisation. It provides the maternal haploid set of chromosomes. It provides most of the cytoplasm, including the majority of the cell organelles including mitochondria and inclusions, nourishment to support the development of the growing embryo. It is due to this reason that the volume of the oocyte is much greater than that of the spermatozoan.

The sperm provides the centrioles to the zygote for cell division. The sperm carries the proximal centriole and the distal centriole in the neck region. The proximal centriole is responsible for the cleavage divisions occurring in the zygote.