The oocyte lives for ___ hours once released

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Multiple Choice

The oocyte lives for ___ hours once released

The key idea is that the oocyte has a short fertilization window after release. Once ovulated, the oocyte remains viable for about 24 hours as it travels through the fallopian tube. It is arrested at metaphase II and relies on fertilization to trigger the completion of meiosis II and formation of the zygote. If no sperm meets the oocyte within this roughly day-long window, the oocyte degenerates and is reabsorbed. This brief lifespan is in contrast to sperm, which can survive longer in the female tract, and it explains why timing of intercourse around ovulation is crucial for natural conception.

The key idea is that the oocyte has a short fertilization window after release. Once ovulated, the oocyte remains viable for about 24 hours as it travels through the fallopian tube. It is arrested at metaphase II and relies on fertilization to trigger the completion of meiosis II and formation of the zygote. If no sperm meets the oocyte within this roughly day-long window, the oocyte degenerates and is reabsorbed. This brief lifespan is in contrast to sperm, which can survive longer in the female tract, and it explains why timing of intercourse around ovulation is crucial for natural conception.

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