Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

How does the development of ova differ from that of sperm?

1. Ova develop continuously without interruption

2. Ova development can be arrested later in life

3. Ova production is primarily regulated by environmental factors

4. Ova are produced at a much faster rate

The correct answer is: Ova development can be arrested later in life

The development of ova, or eggs, is characterized by the fact that their maturation can enter a state of arrest, which can occur at various stages throughout a woman's reproductive life. Women are born with a finite number of primordial follicles, each containing an immature egg. These follicles can remain dormant for years and may undergo periods of arrest during maturation before eventually being ovulated. This ability for ova development to be arrested later in life is a significant contrast to sperm production, which occurs continuously throughout a male's reproductive life once puberty is reached. While sperm undergoes a regular cycle of development and maturation, eggs do not have this same continuous production. Instead, the oocyte development can be halted and may not resume until months or even years later. The other provided choices do not accurately reflect the true nature of ova development compared to sperm. While environmental factors may influence reproductive health, they are not the primary regulators of ova production. Additionally, ova are produced at a slower rate than sperm, as males can produce millions of sperm daily, while females release typically only one egg per menstrual cycle. This represents a fundamental difference in the reproductive strategies and biological processes involved in oogenesis compared to spermatogenesis.