Gametogenesis!

 Gametogenesis is the process by which gametes are made. Meiosis is just one stage in gamete formation.

Gamete production in human males!

Spermatogenesis!  Spermatogenesis is the formation of
spermatozoa.

pronounced with  The primordial germ cells found in the tubule

a J. wall of the seminiferous tubule divide by
mitosis to produce diploid spermatogonia.
 During the growth stage, the spermatogonia
then enlarge to form a primary
spermatocyte.
 When a male hits puberty, the primary
spermatocyte will then divide during Meiosis
I to give haploid secondary spermatocytes.
 The secondary spermatocytes then divide
during Meiosis 2 to give spermatids which
will then, through maturation, develop into
spermatozoa with tails.

Gamete production in human females!

Oogenesis!  Oogenesis is the formation of ova.

 The primordial germ cells found in the ovary

divide by mitosis to produce diploid oogonia.
Primary oocyte =
diploid. Everything
above it is diploid as  During the growth stage, the oogonia then
well. enlarge to form a primary oocyte.
Secondary oocyte =
haploid. Everything
below it is haploid  When a female hits puberty, the diploid primary
as well. oocyte will then divide by Meiosis I, once per
month, to give a haploid secondary oocyte and a
smaller polar body.

 During ovulation, this secondary oocyte is then

released at the oviduct and if fertilized by a sperm
then Meiosis 2 occurs to give an ovum.
 Mammalian gametes are specialized for their functions…

Spermatozoa!  It has a stream-line shape/structure to decrease

resistance during movement.
 The sperm’s acrosome contains enzymes
involved in the digestion/breakdown of the zona
pellucida of the egg cell.
 It has a haploid nucleus to allow the restoration
of the diploid number of chromosomes during
fertilization.
 It has a large number of mitochondria in its
middle piece to supply energy for movement.
 It has microtubules which produce whip like
movements of the tail to propel the sperm and
help it move to the ovum.
 It has a flagellum which propels the sperm by its
movement.

Egg Cells!  It is large and its cytoplasm contains food for the
developing embryo.
 It has a haploid nucleus to allow the restoration
of the diploid number of chromosomes during
fertilization.
 It has cortical granules which move towards the
egg cell surface membrane and release their
contents through exocytosis thus causing the
zona pellucida to harden to prevent polyspermy.
 It has a zona pellucida layer which is this jelly-like
layer that can harden to prevents polyspermy.

Fertilization in mammals!

Fertilization is the fusion of gametes.

Fertilization is important for two reasons:

- It restores the full complement (diploid number) of chromosomes (46 in humans)

- It allows genetic variation! (How?)
Steps and description!

During ovulation, the secondary oocyte is released.

This secondary oocyte is surrounded by this jelly-like membrane called the zona pellucida and some follicle cells.
After the male ejaculates, the sperm cells are going to travel to the egg cell in the oviduct.

1. The Acrosome Reaction!

An acrosome reaction is triggered once the front/surface of the sperm makes contact with the zona pellucida (1) of the oocyte
which causes the acrosome to rupture (1). The acrosome releases digestive enzymes which digest the zona pellucida (1) so
that the sperm can get through to the egg cell/nucleus (1).

2. Membranes fuse!
The cell surface membrane of the sperm and the oocyte will fuse once the surface of the sperm and the cell surface
membrane touch thus enabling the the haploid sperm nucleus to enter the the egg cell.

3. Cortical Reaction!
When the two plasma membranes fuse the cortical reaction takes place. Cortical granules move towards and fuse with the egg
cell surface membrane (1) and release their contents (1) into the zona pellucida through exocytosis (1) This causes the zona
pellucida to thicken and harden (1) thus making it impenetrable to prevent the entry of more than one sperm (polyspermy).
4. Meiosis restarted!
The presence of the sperm nucleus in the cytoplasm of the egg causes Meiosis 2 to be completed thus forming an ovum (sex
cell) with a haploid number of chromosomes.

5. Fertilization!
The chromosomes from the haploid sperm nucleus and the haploid egg nucleus combine to produce /restore the full
complement of chromosomes, the diploid number.
A zygote cell is formed, which has the full number of chromosomes. It then begins to divide by mitosis to develop into a fully
formed organism.

Questions!

The formation of the egg cells!

 The formation of egg cells, megagametogenesis!

 The diploid megaspore mother

cells divide by Meiosis to form 4
haploid megaspores, 3 of which
degenerate leaving 1 to continue
to develop into an embryo sac
Megagametogenesis!

containing an egg cell (mega

gamete). (Spermatophyte
generation!)
 The megaspore undergoes three
mitotic divisions which results in an
embryo sac containing an egg cell
(the megagamete), two polar
bodies, 3 antipodal cells and 2
synergids, all of which are haploid
(Gametophyte generation!)

Fertilization in plants!

 Pollen lands on the stigma. It absorbs water, sugars and enzymes from the
stigma and swells and bursts open.
A pollen tube grows out of the pollen grain and down the style, its growth
being controlled by the tube nucleus at the tip of the pollen tube.
The tip of the pollen tube gives off hydrolytic enzymes which hydrolyse cells
in the style and break down the pectin in the middle lamella so the tube can
continue to grow down the style.
During the growth and extension of the tube, the generative nucleus,
behind the tube nucleus, divides by mitosis to produce 2 haploid male
gametes.
The male tube nucleus is attracted to the synergid cells which produce
chemicals that guide the pollen tube to the ovary.
Once the pollen tube reaches the ovary, it grows through the micropyle and
into the embryo sac within the ovule. The tube nucleus disintegrates and
the tip of the pollen tube breaks down when it enters the micropyle and
fuses with the embryo sac, the releasing two male nuclei.
Double fertilization:
One of the male nuclei fuses with the egg nucleus to form a diploid zygote
which then divides by mitosis to become the embryo of the seed.
The second male nucleus fuses with the two polar nuclei (NUCLEI, DON’T
GET THE MARK OTHERWISE!!) producing a triploid primary endosperm
nucleus (3n) that develops into the seed’s storage tissue, the endosperm.