What is one difference between a primary oocyte and a secondary oocyte in humans? A primary oocyte contains 46 chromosomes, while a secondary oocyte contains 23 chromosomes. A primary oocyte is produced after birth, while a secondary oocyte is produced before birth.
1. primary oocytes - diploid (2 complete sets of chromosomes) - ‘formed’ from oogonial during the process of oogenesis * primordial follicles comprise a primary oocyte + a single layer of squamous follicle cells * primary follicles comprise a primary oocyte + 1/several layers of cuboidal follicle cells 2. secondary oocytes - haploid (1 complete set of chromosomes) - developed from the primary oocyte undergoing meiosis, I to form a secondary oocyte + a tiny first polar body * found in the matured Graafian follicle * begins meiosis II & stops at metaphase II upon ovulation & only continues upon fertilisation
