After meiosis, the resulting cells undergo further development, particularly in the context of egg cell production. Here's a breakdown of what occurs following each stage of meiosis in this process:
Post Meiosis I Events
Following the first meiotic division (meiosis I):
- Unequal Division: The original cell divides into two daughter cells, but the cytoplasm is not equally distributed.
- Egg Cell Pathway: One daughter cell receives most of the cytoplasm and continues along the path to becoming a mature egg cell.
- Polar Body Formation: The other daughter cell, receiving very little cytoplasm, becomes a structure known as a polar body, which is not a viable egg cell.
Post Meiosis II Events
Following the second meiotic division (meiosis II):
- Further Division: The cell that progressed from meiosis I further divides into two cells.
- Functional Egg Cell: One of these resulting cells will differentiate and mature into a fully functional egg cell capable of fertilization.
- Second Polar Body: The other cell again becomes another polar body.
Summary Table
| Meiotic Stage | Resulting Cells | Fate |
|---|---|---|
| After Meiosis I | Two daughter cells (unequal division) | One continues to egg cell, one becomes a first polar body |
| After Meiosis II | Two cells from the egg cell pathway from Meiosis I | One becomes a functional egg cell, one becomes a second polar body |
In summary, meiosis produces cells that develop into a mature egg cell and non-functional polar bodies. These polar bodies will eventually degenerate. Therefore, in the context of egg development, the process results in one functional egg cell and several polar bodies that do not participate in fertilization.
