Question

Consider the following four statements, and state which ones are true (T) and which ones are false (F).
A. Meiosis I is unequal in females during oogenesis.
B. The cells that undergo spermatogenesis arise by both mitosis and meiosis from spermatogonia.
C. During the multiplication phase of spermatogenesis, spermatids are converted into spermatozoa.
D. The first meiotic division during oogenesis is completed in the tertiary follicle.

• A. A–T; B–T; C–F; D–F
• B. A–T; B–F; C–F; D–T
• C. A–F; B–T; C–T; D–F
• D. A–T; B–F; C–T; D–F

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

During the multiplication phase, the spermatogonia on the inside wall of seminiferous tubules multiply by mitotic division and increases in numbers (self-renewal). Spermatogonia develops into primary spermatocyte through mitosis; hence the number of chromosomes remains the same. The primary spermatocyte undergoes the first meiotic division to form secondary spermatocyte, which in turn undergoes second meiotic division and generates haploid spermatids. They undergo a maturation process to form spermatozoa.

During oogenesis, both meioses I and II lead to the generation of the polar body, which is incapable of fertilization. During this meiosis process, the division is unequal and generates two cells, one with more cytoplasm and one with less cytoplasm. The one with the less cytoplasm has fewer nutrients and hence is not capable of fertilization. The tertiary follicle develops with the primary oocyte completing its first meiotic division.