Which statement about gametogenesis is correct?

Which statement about gametogenesis is correct?

• A. The formation of ova and sperm via meiosis.
• B. The formation of zygotes after fertilization.
• C. The production of somatic cells by mitosis.
• D. The duplication of chromosomes before meiosis.

Answer: (A)

Gametogenesis is the formation of haploid reproductive cells (gametes) from diploid germ cells through meiosis. This process halves the chromosome number so fertilization can restore the diploid set. In males, spermatogenesis produces four sperm from each germ cell; in females, oogenesis produces one egg (with polar bodies formed due to unequal division). The defining idea is that meiosis generates these haploid gametes, ready for fusion during fertilization to form a new diploid organism. Formation of zygotes after fertilization happens later, somatic cells arise by mitosis, and chromosome duplication before meiosis is a preparatory step rather than the essence of gametogenesis.

Gametogenesis is the formation of haploid reproductive cells (gametes) from diploid germ cells through meiosis. This process halves the chromosome number so fertilization can restore the diploid set. In males, spermatogenesis produces four sperm from each germ cell; in females, oogenesis produces one egg (with polar bodies formed due to unequal division). The defining idea is that meiosis generates these haploid gametes, ready for fusion during fertilization to form a new diploid organism. Formation of zygotes after fertilization happens later, somatic cells arise by mitosis, and chromosome duplication before meiosis is a preparatory step rather than the essence of gametogenesis.