Anatomy and Physiology II Practice Test 2026 - Free Anatomy Practice Questions and Study Guide

In females, meiosis is a specialized process that occurs in the ovaries to produce gametes, specifically oocytes. The process begins with a primary oocyte undergoing meiosis. During this division, the cytoplasm is unevenly divided, which is a key feature of oogenesis.

As a result of this asymmetric division, the primary oocyte divides to produce one large ovum, which is the functional egg cell, and three smaller polar bodies. The polar bodies are produced due to the unequal division of cytoplasm during meiosis, and their primary function is to ensure that the ovum receives the majority of the cytoplasm and nutrients needed for potential fertilization and development.

The polar bodies typically do not undergo further division and eventually degenerate because they do not have the resources necessary to develop into viable eggs. This process highlights the importance of providing a single high-quality ovum for potential fertilization, rather than producing multiple functional gametes. Therefore, the correct understanding of this reproductive process leads to the conclusion that meiosis in females results in one large ovum and three small daughter cells that degenerate.