Difference Between Gametogenesis And Embryogenesis

The female reproductive system undergoes two processes, namely, Gametogenesis and Embryogenesis. Gametogenesis is a process that involves the formation of gametes, whereas embryogenesis is a process in which the gametes are fertilised to form a zygote.

Table of Contents:

What is Gametogenesis?
What is Embryogenesis?
Difference between Gametogenesis and Embryogenesis
Practice Problems
Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gametogenesis?

Gametogenesis is the most significant process in the female reproductive system. In Gametogenesis, haploid gametes are formed in both males and females. In plants, this process occurs in the gametangia and in animals, it occurs in the gonads. The germ cells undergo differentiation, including both Mitosis and meiosis, to give rise to the gametes.

Its two principal functions involve cell division and maturation. It has been classified into two types based on the type of production of sex cells. They are Oogenesis and Spermatogenesis.

Oogenesis

Oogenesis is a process of the formation of an ova or female gamete, which later produces the formation of the ovum. It is an important and complex process in mammals that facilitates female gamete development. In other words, Oogenesis refers to the process of development of meiosis.

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is a process of production of sperm cells in the body, which later produces the haploid spermatozoa. In this process of spermatogenesis, the important function is to divide or to produce the immature sperm cells, which are called spermatids.

What is Embryogenesis?

Embryogenesis is the sequential process of the female reproductive system, which includes the formation and development of a unicellular embryo to a multicellular embryo. It starts with uniting the male and female gamete to produce the zygote. Usually, this embryonic phase takes around 5 to 11 weeks in the human body, after which the development of the foetus begins. Embryogenesis includes four phases: cleavage, gastrulation, neurulation, and organogenesis.

Cleavage

Cleavage mainly involves cell division that is not visible in their developmental stage. There are two types of cleavage: Meroblastic and holoblastic, in which whole cleavage and partial cleavage occurs, respectively.

Gastrulation

Gastrulation is the development process of the single-layered blastula. In this, it develops from a single-layered blastula into a multi-layered gastrula. The gastrulation process gives the orientation of the embryo.

Neurulation

Neurulation is the process that helps to bend the neutral plate, which is later used in the formation of a long hollow tube. This helps in differentiating between the brain and the spinal cord in the body.

Organogenesis

Organogenesis is a process that helps in the development of organs after the completion of gastrulation.

Difference between Gametogenesis and Embryogenesis

There are certain differences between Gametogenesis and the Embryogenesis process. They are listed below:

Gametogenesis	Embryogenesis
Gametogenesis takes place before fertilisation.	Embryogenesis takes place after fertilisation.
It involves the formation of male and female gametes.	It involves the formation and development of embryos.
It takes place in animals’ ovaries and testes.	It takes place in the female reproductive system.
In plants, it takes place in antheridia and archegonia.	In plants, it takes place in Gametophytes.
Mitosis and meiosis take place in this process.	Only mitosis takes place in this process.
Stages: Gametogenesis, gametogenesis I, gametogenesis II and maturation.	Stages: Cleavage, gastrulation, neurulation and organogenesis
Formation of haploid gametes.	Formation of diploid cells of the embryo.

Practice Problems

Q1. Gametogenesis in plants takes place in ________.

A. Gametophyte
B. Antheridia
C. Ovaries
D. None of the above

Answer: B. Antheridia

Explanation: In plants, gametogenesis takes place in antheridia and archegonia.

Q2. Which of the following doesn’t occur in Embryogenesis?

A. Meiosis
B. Mitosis
C. Gastrulation
D. Organogenesis

Answer: A. Meiosis

Explanation: Embryogenesis only involves Mitosis. Meiosis doesn’t take place in Embryogenesis.

Q3. Gametogenesis leads to the formation of___________.

A. Egg
B. Foetus
C. Haploid gametes
D. None of the above

Answer: C. Haploid gametes

Explanation: Gametogenesis is the most significant process in the female reproductive system. In Gametogenesis, haploid gametes are formed in both males and females.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the difference between spermatogenesis and oogenesis?
Answer: Spermatogenesis refers to the formation of sperm cells in the testes. In contrast, Oogenesis refers to the formation of egg cells in the ovary.

Q2. What is the female gamete called?
Answer: The female gamete is called ova, which after fertilisation, is called an ovum.

Q3. What is fertilisation?
Answer: Fertilisation is the process of fusion of male and female gamete to form the zygote, which later develops into an embryo.