What happens to the cells during the process of meiosis to fertilization?

Question

this is for the humane reproductive system for biology

Answer 1

Hi Alycia! Learning about mitosis and meiosis is really interesting, but it can be confusing at times. I wanted to share this article with you from Khan Academy that nicely breaks down meiosis: https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-biology/heredity/meiosis-and-genetic-diversity/a/phases-of-meiosis

I hope it helps!

Answer 2

Hi Alycia,

Before fertilization occurs, cells must first go through meiosis and then gametogenesis.

Meiosis is the process through which haploid cells are produced and the original number of chromosomes gets reduced by half (as we go from diploid to haploid cells). For mammals, meiosis occurs only in gamete-producing cells within the gonads (i.e. the sperm for males and the ova/egg cells for females). During meiosis, homologous chromosomes separate, and haploid cells form that have only one chromosome from each pair.

At this point, the haploid cells have been produced, but they are not yet gametes. In order for these cells to become gametes, they go through gametogenesis. The cells need to develop and mature into gametes before fertilization is possible. The process of gametogenesis differs between males and females. For males, the gametes that are made are called sperm, and this process is more specifically called spermatogenesis. For females, the gametes that are made are called ova, and this process is more specifically called oogenesis.