Formative Practice 15.2 (Form 4 Biology Textbook Exercise and Answer)

Question 1:
What could possibly happen if gametogenesis does not take place?

Answer:
Gametogenesis produces haploid gametes, that is, gametes that contain half the number of chromosomes of the parent cells.
When the male and female gamete fuse, the new individual will have the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell (diploid).
If gametogenesis does not occur, no gametes will be produced.
Hence, fertilisation does not occur. No zygotes will be produced and consequently this leads to the extinction of the particular species.

Question 2:
Explain three differences between spermatogenesis and oogenesis.

Answer:
(any three differences)

Spermatogenesis	Oogenesis
Occurs in the male testis.	Occurs in the female ovary.
Spermatogonium (diploid) produces four sperms (haploid) after meiosis.	Oogonium (diploid) only yields one functional secondary oocyte cell (haploid) and three non- functional polar bodies after meiosis.
Sperms have a head, middle part and tail.	Ovum is spherical.
After meiosis I, two secondary spermatids are produced.	After meiosis I, a secondary oocyte and a polar body are formed.
Spermatids undergo differentiation to become sperms.	Secondary oocytes do not undergo differentiation.
The formation of sperms is continuous, beginning from puberty until old age	Ovum formation is not a continuous process. It begins in the female foetus and stops when a baby is born. The process is continued only after puberty is reached until menopause.
Millions of sperms are produced each time at any time.	Only one ovum is released from the ovary in each menstrual cycle.