Gametogenesis: Oogenesis and Spermatogenesis Comparison

Gametogenesis

Production of egg and sperm through meiosis.

Fertilization

Fusion of male and female gamete nuclei.

Oogenesis

Egg production in females, involving unequal cytoplasm division.

Spermatogenesis

Sperm production in males, starting from spermatogonia.

Meiosis

Cell division producing four haploid cells.

Meiosis I

First stage of meiosis, homologous chromosomes separate.

Meiosis II

Second stage of meiosis, sister chromatids separate.

Independent assortment

Random division of maternal and paternal chromosomes.

Crossing over

Exchange of chromosome segments during Prophase I.

Spermatogonia

Stem cells that undergo mitosis to produce sperm.

Primary spermatocytes

Cells that undergo Meiosis I in spermatogenesis.

Secondary spermatocytes

Result of Meiosis I, undergo Meiosis II.

Spermatids

Final result of spermatogenesis, four produced.

Spermatozoa

Mature sperm cells with head, midpiece, and tail.

Acrosome

Cap on sperm head containing enzymes for fertilization.

Spermiogenesis

Process of sperm maturation from spermatids.

Spermiation

Release of sperm from Sertoli cells into ducts.

Oogonium

Stem cells that produce primary oocytes before birth.

Primary oocyte

Cell that begins Meiosis I, halts at prophase.

Menarche

Onset of menstruation, resumes oocyte development.

Atresia

Degeneration of ovarian follicles that do not mature.

Mature ovum

Final product of oogenesis, capable of fertilization.