The key difference between meiosis in males and females is that meiosis in males leads to the production of sperms while meiosis in females leads to the production of ovum and non-functional polar bodies.
Cell division can occur through either mitosis or meiosis. is the main type of cell division in sexual reproduction. It is conserved and seems to drive the reproductive abilities in different entities. Moreover, meiosis is extremely important for the evolutionary process. This type of cell division reduces the number of chromosomes in gametes or sex cells (egg and sperm). In meiosis, each diploid cell undergoes two rounds of cell division to produce four haploid daughter cells called gametes. Therefore, meiosis in males and females are two different types of meiosis-type cell divisions that produce sex cells in sexually reproducing organisms.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Meiosis in Males
3. What is Meiosis in Females
4. Similarities – Meiosis in Males and Females
5. Meiosis in Males vs. Females in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Meiosis in Males and Females
7. Summary – Meiosis in Males vs. Females
What is Meiosis in Males?
Meiosis starts once a male hits puberty and continues throughout the lifetime of that person. This process in males occurs in the testicles (seminiferous tubules). Therefore, meiosis in males occurs during spermatogenesis in the seminiferous tubules. In this process, the diploid cells present in the testes undergo meiosis to produce haploid cells with 23 chromosomes. Moreover, in meiosis in males, one diploid cell gives rise to 4 haploid cells.
Figure 01: Meiosis in Males
Meiosis in males is symmetrical. Furthermore, in meiosis in males, the primary spermatocytes first convert to secondary spermatocytes, which later turn into spermatids. Ultimately, these spermatids mature into sperm or spermatozoon. The sperms are smaller than spermatocytes. It takes days or even weeks to complete meiosis in males.
What is Meiosis in Females?
Meiosis in females starts at the time of the fetal stage, which starts approximately the 12th week of fetal development. Meiosis in females occurs in the process of oogonia in the ovaries. In this process, oocytes undergo meiotic division to form an ovum. In meiosis in females, out of the four daughter cells (oocytes), a single daughter becomes an ovum, while the other three daughter cells convert into non-functional polar bodies.
Figure 02: Meiosis
Meiosis in females is asymmetrical. Moreover, in this process, the generated ova are larger than the oocytes. It takes up to months or even years to complete the meiosis in females. Furthermore, a finite number of eggs are produced in meiosis in females. This number declines with age, especially when females reach menopause.
What are the Similarities Between Meiosis in Males and Females?
- Meiosis in males and females occurs in sex organs.
- Both processes ultimately lead to the development of haploid cells.
- They are extremely important for sexual reproduction and the survival of human beings.
What is the Difference Between Meiosis in Males and Females?
Meiosis in males leads to the production of sperms, while meiosis in females leads to the production of ovum and non-functional polar bodies. Thus, this is the key difference between meiosis in males and females. Furthermore, meiosis in males starts from the time when one reaches puberty and stays throughout one’s life. On the other hand, meiosis in females starts at the fetal stage and spans over forty years from initiation to completion. Meiosis in males happens during spermatogenesis, while meiosis in females happens during oogenesis.
The infographic below presents the differences between meiosis in males and females in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
FAQ: Meiosis in Males vs. Females
What is the end result of meiosis 2 in females?
At the end of meiosis 2 in females, four haploid daughter cells will be produced.
What is the result of meiosis 2 in a male vs a female?
Male meiosis produces 4 haploid cells from each diploid cell, while female meiosis produces one large ovum and 2 or 3 tiny polar bodies per diploid cell.
What is meiosis called in females?
Female gametogenesis or oogenesis is the process by which diploid (2n) cells undergo cell division through meiosis to form haploid (1n) gametes.
Summary – Meiosis in Males vs. Females
Meiosis is a type of cell division that occurs in sexually reproducing organisms. Meiosis in males and females are two different types of meiotic cell divisions. Meiosis in males leads to the production of sperm, while meiosis in females leads to the production of ovum and non-functional polar bodies. Moreover, meiosis in males commences from the time when one hits puberty and stays throughout one’s life. On the other hand, meiosis in females commences at the fetal stage and spans over forty years from the initiation to the finish. This summarizes the difference between meiosis in males and females.
Reference:
1. Inbar Maayan, et al. “Meiosis in Humans.” Embryo Project Encyclopedia.
2. “Meiosis, Genetic Recombination, and Sexual Reproduction.” Nature News, Nature Publishing Group.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Figure 11 02 01” By CNX OpenStax – (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Image from page 160 of “Heredity and environment in the development of men” (1915)” By Internet Archive Book Images (Public Domain) via Flickr