Fertilization and Gametogenesis

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to fertilization, spermatogenesis, and oogenesis.

Meiosis

The process of cell division that makes gametes in the gonads, producing haploid sex cells with half the number of chromosomes as diploid body cells.

Haploid

Having one full set of chromosomes (23 in humans).

Mitosis

The process of cell division that makes identical copies of somatic cells, producing identical diploid body cells.

Diploid

Having two full sets of chromosomes (46 in humans).

Spermatogenesis

The process of forming male gametes; occurs in the seminiferous tubules of the testes, starting at puberty (around 14 years in males) due to testosterone release and continuing throughout life.

Spermatogonia

Male gamete stem cells that divide by mitosis until puberty.

Spermiogenesis

Matures the nonmotile spermatids into mobile sperm.

Oogenesis

The process of forming female gametes; occurs in the ovaries; females are born with all of the primary oocytes they will ever have.

Primary Oocytes

Early eggs that have paused meiosis in late prophase I and will resume after puberty begins, becoming secondary oocytes.

Oogonia

Female gamete stem cells that divide by mitosis in the developing fetus.

Ovarian Follicle

A cluster of cells that all nourish one oocyte.

Primordial Follicles

The follicles in the fetus; the majority of these remain dormant, stuck in prophase 1.

Atresia

Apoptosis of the follicle and its surrounding cells.

Fertilization

When a sperm’s chromosomes combine with those of an oocyte to form a fertilized egg (zygote).

Capacitation

The biochemical process that changes the sperm so that it will be able to penetrate the oocyte and thus fertilize the egg