The female germ cell

The female reproductive cell, called the egg, is a small round-shaped formation, in which a uniform distribution of the vitelline inclusions is noted. Outside, the female reproductive cell, the same gamete, is covered with a shiny shell and is surrounded by a layer of follicular cells performing a nutritional function. In addition, they also play the role of a kind of barrier, so they often take on a defensive function.

What are the characteristics of the process of formation of female sex cells?

The egg, undergoing a cycle of development, is called an oocyte. All sex cells are divided by meiosis. It should be noted that at the stage of division in sex cells there are some features. So in particular at the first stage of division the egg is delayed in development, while increasing in size.

In women, even at the stage of intrauterine development, from oogonia - primary sex cells, several million oocytes are formed. It is worth noting that for some time before the birth of the girls oocytes are transformed into follicles, i.e. around them is formed the very shell, which was mentioned above.

All developing follicles continue to grow and at the end either degenerate or release the oocytes located inside them. It should be noted that in a person maturation of the oocyte occurs only with the onset of puberty. Thus, it can be said that female reproductive cells mature in the ovaries, or rather in the follicles.

What are the characteristics of the process of maturation of female sex cells?

During maturation, the primary oocyte undergoes division by meiosis, resulting in the formation of a secondary oocyte, which far exceeds the previous one in size. In this case, this cell has haploid, i.e. a half-set of chromosomal material, with more yolk than the primary oocyte.

After the maturation of female sex cells has ended, the vial, which is directly under the cover epithelium of the gland itself, the ovary, is broken. After that, the secondary oocyte leaves directly into the abdominal cavity (the ovulatory process), from which it is captured by cilia located on the fallopian tubes, penetrates the fallopian tube.

What are the main functions of female sex cells?

Having dealt with the name of the female sexual cell, having examined its structure, it is necessary to say about the significance of it. So, among the function of eggs, it is necessary to name:

• reproductive - the fetus is formed from the fertilized egg;
• storage and transfer of genetic information.