Oogenesis

Oogenesis is the development of female germ cells into mature egg cells through growth and meiosis. In humans, it begins before birth and proceeds in stages interrupted by long periods of arrest.

Meiosis: A type of cell division that halves chromosome number and produces genetically varied cells. Oogenesis uses two meiotic divisions to reduce chromosome number in the egg.
Primordial germ cell: An embryonic precursor cell that migrates to the developing gonad and gives rise to germ cells. Ovarian germ cells descend from primordial germ cells established during embryonic development.
Gametogenesis: The formation and development of reproductive cells through germ-cell differentiation and division. Oogenesis is the egg-producing branch of gametogenesis.
Spermatogenesis: The process by which male germ cells develop into sperm through mitosis, meiosis, and differentiation. Unlike oogenesis, it generally produces four small gametes from each primary germ cell.
Oocyte: An immature female germ cell that can develop into an ovum. The oocyte is the cell that grows and undergoes meiosis during oogenesis.
Germ cell: A reproductive cell lineage that produces eggs or sperm and transmits genetic material to offspring. Oogenesis is the female pathway of germ-cell development.
Oogonium: A diploid female germ cell that proliferates and can enter meiosis to become a primary oocyte. Oogonia multiply in the fetal ovary before entering meiosis.
Spermiogenesis: The transformation of haploid spermatids into mature spermatozoa without further cell division. It contrasts with oogenesis, where growth and unequal meiotic divisions define egg formation.
Polar body: A small cell produced during oocyte meiosis that receives little cytoplasm and usually degenerates. Unequal divisions preserve most of the oocyte’s cytoplasm in one cell.
Chromosome: A DNA-protein structure that carries genes and is duplicated and distributed during cell division. Meiosis changes how many chromosome sets the developing egg carries.

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