What happens to polar bodies formed during oogenesis?

• A. They degenerate
• B. They become eggs
• C. They become sperm
• D. They store nutrients

Answer: (A)

In oogenesis, meiosis creates one large egg cell and small byproducts called polar bodies. The division is asymmetric, so most of the cytoplasm stays with the egg, while the polar bodies get very little. Those polar bodies contain the extra set of chromosomes but not enough cytoplasm to develop into functional cells, so they are typically broken down and reabsorbed. This way the egg retains nutrients and organelles needed for fertilization and early development, while the polar bodies do not become eggs, do not turn into sperm, and do not store meaningful nutrients.