Which of the following is CORRECT regarding the female gamete?

RRB Nsg. Superintendent -29 April-2025 (shift-2nd)

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Easy

Appeared in: RRB Nsg. Superintendent -29 April-2025 (shift-2nd)

Explanation

The female gamete, or ovum, is the largest cell in the human body, necessary to house enough nutrients for early embryonic development.
It is non-motile, meaning it cannot move on its own. It relies on the cilia and peristaltic movements of the fallopian tube for transport towards the uterus.
The ovum's cytoplasm is rich in stored food (yolk), which provides nourishment for the zygote immediately after fertilization until implantation occurs.

Option A: This option incorrectly describes the female gamete as small, motile, and lacking stored food. These are characteristics more aligned with the male gamete (sperm), although sperm also has minimal food stores.
Option B: This option incorrectly states the female gamete is small and motile. The ovum is large and non-motile.
Option D: This option correctly identifies the large size but incorrectly states the female gamete is motile and does not contain stored food.

Visual 1: Diagram - A comparative illustration showing the relative size and structure of a human ovum and a sperm cell. The diagram should label the nucleus, cytoplasm (yolk), and zona pellucida of the ovum, and the head (with acrosome), midpiece (with mitochondria), and tail of the sperm.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Characteristics of the female gamete (ovum) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the characteristics of the ovum is fundamental to reproductive health, fertility treatments like In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), and diagnosing certain types of infertility.
The non-motile nature of the ovum highlights the critical role of healthy fallopian tubes. Blockages or damage to the fallopian tubes (e.g., from Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) can prevent the egg from meeting the sperm, causing infertility.
The ovum's stored nutrients are vital for the first few days of life. Any defects in the ooplasm can lead to early embryonic arrest, a cause of failed pregnancies.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core subject of the question: the defining characteristics of the female gamete (egg cell).
Recall the fundamental differences between the male gamete (sperm) and the female gamete (ovum). Think about their respective roles in fertilization.
Analyze the three key features presented in the options: size, motility (ability to move), and presence of stored food.
Evaluate each option against your knowledge: Is the egg cell large or small? Is it motile or non-motile? Does it contain food for the embryo?
The sperm is designed for travel (small, motile, little baggage). The egg is designed to be a target and a nursery (large, stationary, nutrient-rich).
Select the option that correctly combines all three characteristics for the female gamete.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Characteristics of the female gamete (ovum)
Stem keywords: female gamete, egg cells, correct
Lead-in keywords: Which of the following is CORRECT
Clinical cues: Age/sex group narrows the expected diagnosis, intervention, or normal reference range.
Negative lead-in flag: false

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