Here's why:
* Oogenesis: The process of egg cell formation is called oogenesis. It involves meiosis, a type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half.
* Unequal Cytoplasmic Division: During oogenesis, the cytoplasm of the parent cell (oocyte) divides unevenly. This results in one large cell (the egg cell) that receives most of the cytoplasm and three smaller cells called polar bodies.
* Polar Bodies: Polar bodies are non-functional cells that eventually degenerate. They serve to discard extra chromosomes and ensure that the egg cell receives the majority of the cytoplasm and organelles needed for development.
In contrast, male gametes (sperm cells) are produced through spermatogenesis, where the cytoplasm divides equally, resulting in four equally sized sperm cells.
