\( 2.3 \quad \) Males and females produce gameles for reproduction. \( 2.3 .1 \quad \) What is spermatogenesis? \( 2.3 .3 \quad \begin{array}{l}\text { Nescribe the process of oogenesis. } \\ \text { occurs. }\end{array} \) \( \begin{array}{l}\text { Sperm cells and ova are produced by gametogenesis. This happens } \\ \text { when diploid cells undergo meiosis to produce haploid cells. }\end{array} \) Tabulate Tho differences between gametogenesis in males and where spermatogenesis females, not mentioned in the text above.

| **Parameter** | **Spermatogenesis (Males)** | **Oogenesis (Females)** | |-------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | **Timing of Initiation** | Begins at puberty and continues throughout life. | Begins prenatally: primary oocytes are formed before birth and then arrest at prophase \( \text{I} \) until puberty; maturation resumes cyclically during the menstrual cycle. | | **Number of Gametes** | Produces millions of sperm continuously. | Typically produces one mature ovum per menstrual cycle along with small polar bodies that usually do not participate in fertilization. | | **Cytoplasmic Division** | Involves relatively equal cytokinesis, resulting in four functional sperm cells from each primary spermatocyte. | Involves unequal cytokinesis that produces one large ovum and two or three smaller polar bodies (usually only one polar body is extruded properly in each meiotic division). | | **Meiotic Arrest** | No prolonged arrest: cells progress through meiosis continuously. | Meiosis \( \text{I} \) is arrested at prophase \( \text{I} \) until puberty and resumes later; meiosis \( \text{II} \) is arrested until fertilization occurs. | | **Cyclic vs. Continuous** | A continuous process once initiated. | A cyclic process that is coordinated with the menstrual cycle. |