Number of ova formed from each primary oocyte

Options

A. 4
B. 3
C. 2
D. 1

Answer

To determine the number of ova formed from each primary oocyte, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Primary Oocyte**: A primary oocyte is a diploid cell in the ovaries that undergoes meiosis to eventually form ova (egg cells).

**Hint**: Remember that primary oocytes are formed during fetal development and are arrested in prophase I until puberty.

2. **Meiotic Division**: The primary oocyte undergoes meiosis, which consists of two divisions: meiosis I and meiosis II.

**Hint**: Meiosis is a special type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half.

3. **Outcome of Meiosis I**: During meiosis I, the primary oocyte divides into two cells: one secondary oocyte and one polar body. The polar body is typically non-functional and will not develop into an ovum.

**Hint**: Focus on the fact that meiosis I results in one functional cell (secondary oocyte) and one non-functional cell (polar body).

4. **Outcome of Meiosis II**: The secondary oocyte then undergoes meiosis II, which results in one ovum and another polar body. Again, the polar body is non-functional.

**Hint**: Meiosis II is similar to mitosis, where the secondary oocyte divides to produce one functional ovum.

5. **Final Count of Ova**: From one primary oocyte, the end result is one functional ovum and a total of three polar bodies (one from meiosis I and two from the secondary oocyte's meiosis II).

**Hint**: Remember that only the ovum is the functional gamete; polar bodies do not contribute to reproduction.

### Conclusion:
The total number of ova formed from each primary oocyte is **one**.