University of San Carlos - Talamban

Exercise 11

The Gonads and Gametogenesis

Laboratory Report Group 2 - BIO3201L

GROUP 2

Autida, Trina Rose

Ortega, Jan Joelle

Ouano, Kersten Kate

Date performed:

March 20, 2022

Date Submitted:

March 23, 2022

 EXERCISE 11

The Gonads and Gametogenesis

Answer the following questions

a. With your understanding of the events in prophase I, what is the relevance of
this phase in the reproduction and conservation of species? (Clue: variation
and ploidy).

In prophase I, there are three major occurrences. The condensation of

chromatin into chromosomes occurs first, followed by genetic material crossing
across and recombination between non-sister chromatids. This exchange of
genetic material culminates in the formation of distinct chromosomes that include
new combinations of alleles from the parents, resulting in genetically
non-identical haploid daughter chromatid cells that increase genetic variety in
phenotypes.

b. Make a comparison between spermatogenesis and oogenesis.

The process, occurrence, and product formed after gametogenesis are the primary
differences between spermatogenesis and oogenesis. Spermatogenesis and
oogenesis are distinct processes, with the former producing sperm cells from a
spermatogonium and the latter producing an ovum from an oogonium.
 Spermatogenesis takes place in the testis's seminiferous tubules, whereas
oogenesis takes place in the ovary. Sperm cells are the product of spermatogenesis
and are flagellated, i.e. motile. On the other hand, ova is the product of non-motile
oogonia. As a result, sperm cells and ova are structurally and functionally distinct
from one another.

c. What is the role of the granulosa/follicular cells particularly during the

Graafian follicle stage?
The granulosa cell (GC) is a critical somatic component of the ovary. It is
essential for follicle development by supporting the developing oocyte,
proliferating and producing sex steroids, and disparate growth factors.
furthermore, The granulosa cells give rise to the cumulus oophorus cells which surround
the oocyte. The graafian oocyte, along with its zona pellucida is surrounded by the
cumulus oophorus cells and several layers of granulosa cells. Thus, granulosa cells are
the initials for the surrounding layers. The major functions of granulosa cells include the
production of steroids and LH receptors

d. What is the stage of oogenesis that is ready for the ovulatory phase of the
female?

The stage that is ready for the ovulatory phase of the female is the
preovulatory stage of oogenesis. This stage involves the start of the menstrual
cycle where primary oocytes initiate to grow bigger, and follicle cells rise in
number, causing the follicle to grow larger too. Normally, some nurturing oocytes
degenerate and leave just one follicle to mature. When a follicle attains maturity,
the primary oocyte finishes its primary meiotic division and becomes a secondary
oocyte. Soon after, the follicle breaks and the secondary oocyte is liberated in the
fallopian tube even when the second meiotic division has not happened. When
this happens, ovulation or the release of the secondary oocyte in the ovary occurs.

e. Search for pictures and describe a corpus luteum and corpus albicans.
 Figure1. Corpus luteum and corpus albicans

The corpus luteum that secretes progesterone is a temporary organ that arises
during the luteal phase, following ovulation. The organ primarily consists of
parenchymatous and non-parenchymatous cells. The follicular theca and follicular
granulosa made up the corpus luteum (Oliver and Pillarisetty, 2020). The corpus albicans
is simply the regressed version of the corpus luteum as it degenerated due to the influx of
metalloproteinases, fibroblast, and macrophages and extensive apoptosis (Kirkendoll and
Bacha, 2020). The corpus luteum will be reduced to corpus albicans given that there is no
fertilization of the egg.

f. Search for pictures and describe a mammalian sperm.

Figure 2. A Mammalian Sperm [© https://slideplayer.com/slide/4073195/]

The mammalian sperm cell which functions in reproduction can be divided in 2

parts:

Head: contains the nucleus with densely coiled chromatin fibers, surrounded
anteriorly by a thin, flattened sac called the acrosome, which contains enzymes
used for penetrating the female egg. It also contains vacuoles.

Tail: also called the flagellum, is the longest part and capable of wave-like motion
that propels sperm for swimming and aids in the penetration of the egg. The tail
was formerly thought to move symmetrically in a helical shape. However, a 2020
study by the University of Bristol stated that the tail moves in a more complicated
manner, combining asymmetrical standing and traveling waves as well as rotating
the entire body to achieve a perceived symmetry.

REFERENCE:

BYJU’s Classes. Oogenesis. Retrieved on 24th March 2021 from

https://byjus.com/biology/oogenesis/#ovulation

Granulosa Cells | Profiles RNS. (n.d.). UMASS. Retrieved March 24, 2021, from
https://profiles.umassmed.edu/display/124435#:%7E:text=Granulosa%20cel
ls%20form%20a%20single,receptors%20(RECEPTORS%2C%20LH).

Sapkota, A. (2020). Spermatogenesis vs Oogenesis- Definition, 18 Differences,

Examples. Microbe Notes. Retrieved from
https://microbenotes.com/spermatogenesis-vs-oogenesis/. Last accessed on
March 21, 2022.