During the growth of the oocyte not only does the amount of cytoplasm increase in quantity, but it changes in quality by the elaboration and regular distribution of various cell inclusions and specially modified parts of the cytoplasm which, are essential for the development of the embryo. In most animals which have been investigated with modern methods, young oocytes show [...]
In this article we will discuss about the process of maturation of eggs in the female gamete. After the oocyte completes its growth, it is ready for the reduction divisions. By this time, the chromosomes of the oocyte have reached the stage of diakinesis. The meiotic division in the female gametes cannot, however, proceed in the same way as in [...]
All eggs, like any other cells, are of course covered by the cell membrane or plasmalemma. Under the electron microscope the plasmalemma sometimes can be seen to be double, with two layers of electron-dense material about 50 Å thick separated by a less dense interval of about 60 Å. In addition to the plasmalemma, eggs of all animals, with the [...]