Question

Which of these is incorrect about oogenesis?

• A. Meiosis-I is an unequal division.
• B. Menopause occurs around 50 years of age.
• C. It starts at puberty.
• D. Polar bodies are formed.

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

The process of formation of a mature female gamete is called oogenesis which is markedly different from spermatogenesis. Oogenesis is initiated during the embryonic development stage when a couple of million gamete mother cells (oogonia) are formed within each fetal ovary; no more oogonia are formed and added after birth. These cells start division and enter into prophase-I of the meiotic division and get temporarily arrested at that stage, called primary oocytes.
The primary oocyte within the tertiary follicle grows in size and completes its first meiotic division. It is an unequal division resulting in the formation of a large haploid secondary oocyte and a tiny first polar body.
In human beings, menstrual cycles ceases around 50 years of age; that is termed as menopause.