How is the structure of an ovum related to its function?
The egg cell contains lipid droplets to provide the energy needed for the developing zygote. The mitochondria present in egg will provide ATP needed for reactions such as hardening of the zona pellucida (cortical reaction).
What is the function of the ova?
The function of the ovum is to carry the set of chromosomes contributed by the female and create the right environment to enable fertilization by the sperm. Ova also provide nutrients for the growing embryo until it sinks into the uterus and the placenta takes over.
What type of cell is an ova?
Gametes are an organism’s reproductive cells. They are also referred to as sex cells. Female gametes are called ova or egg cells, and male gametes are called sperm. Gametes are haploid cells, and each cell carries only one copy of each chromosome.
What is the structure of a human egg cell?
Like a sperm cell, the egg contains a nucleus with half the number of chromosomes as other body cells. Unlike a sperm cell, the egg contains a lot of cytoplasm, the contents of the cell, which is why it is so big. The egg also does not have a tail.
How are ova adapted to their function?
An egg cell has adapted to it’s function by the presence of cytoplasm, which increases its surface area to make it easier in the development of the embryo within it.
How are ovum cells Specialised?
These two features allow the sperm cell to travel the long distance towards the egg cell. Egg cells however, do not require this mobility and are specialised by being much larger, allowing room for nutrients in the cytoplasm which are needed after fertilisation in order for the zygote to grow and multiply.
Is an ovum alive?
The female egg cell has a short life after ovulation. Once ovulation has happened, the female egg cell that’s released starts to deteriorate very quickly and the fertile window starts to close. After 12-24 hours the egg cell will die and it won’t be possible to become pregnant again until the next cycle.
What structures carry the released eggs from the ovaries?
Fallopian tubes: These are narrow tubes that are attached to the upper part of the uterus and serve as pathways for the ova (egg cells) to travel from the ovaries to the uterus.