At the birth of a female child, the follicles in her ovaries contain:a...
At birth, the follicles in a female's ovaries contain primary oocytes that are arrested at Prophase I of Meiosis I. These oocytes remain in this arrested state until puberty and further stages of maturation.
At the birth of a female child, the follicles in her ovaries contain:a...
Understanding Oocyte Development
At the birth of a female child, her ovaries contain a specific type of cell known as primary oocytes. These cells are crucial in the process of oogenesis, which is the development of eggs.
Key Characteristics of Primary Oocytes
- Arrested Stage: Primary oocytes are arrested in the Prophase I stage of meiosis. This arrest occurs during fetal development and remains until puberty.
- Meiotic Division: Each primary oocyte is diploid (2n), meaning it contains two sets of chromosomes. During the Prophase I, the primary oocyte prepares for meiosis but does not complete the division.
Significance of Prophase I Arrest
- Ovarian Reserve: At birth, a female's ovaries contain a finite number of primary oocytes, which constitute her ovarian reserve. This reserve will gradually deplete over her reproductive life.
- Hormonal Regulation: The primary oocytes remain dormant until hormonal changes during puberty trigger their maturation. Each menstrual cycle typically leads to the maturation of one primary oocyte into a secondary oocyte.
Meiosis and Oocyte Maturation
- Secondary Oocyte Formation: Upon completion of the first meiotic division, a primary oocyte transforms into a secondary oocyte and a polar body. The secondary oocyte is then arrested in Metaphase II until fertilization occurs.
- Oocyte Release: During ovulation, the secondary oocyte is released from the ovary, and if fertilized, it will complete the second meiotic division.
Conclusion
Thus, at birth, the follicles in a female child’s ovaries contain primary oocytes that have been arrested at Prophase I of Meiosis I, confirming that option 'B' is indeed correct.
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