Question

Difference between gametogenesis and embryogenesis.

Answer 1

Hint: Formation of gametes and embryo through different cell divisions resulting in either a haploid or diploid cells under a different process.

Complete answer:
Gametogenesis is the formation of male or female gametes involving both mitosis and meiosis cell division in both Spermatogenesis (formation of male gamete: sperm) and Oogenesis (formation of female gamete: oocyte). Both result in the formation of Haploid cells known as gametes. It usually takes place during the pre-fertilization stage in testis (spermatogenesis) and ovaries (oogenesis) in animals and antheridia and archegonia in plants. Stages involved in gametogenesis include Gametocytogenesis, gametogenesis I, gametogenesis II and maturation. Gametogenesis involves two main phases: Cell division and maturation.

Figure 1: Gametogenesis

Embryogenesis on the other hand is the formation and development of embryos involving only mitosis cell division and the process is known as embryogenesis leading to organogenesis. It results in the formation of a diploid cell known as a zygote (unicellular) that develops into a multicellular embryo. It usually takes place post-fertilization (post fusion of gametes) in the female reproductive system in both animals and plants. Different stages of embryogenesis include Cleavage, gastrulation, neurulation, and organogenesis. Embryogenesis involves cell division to increase the number of cells, cell growth, and cell differentiation for the formation of different kinds of tissues.

Figure 2: Embryogenesis in Frog

Table 1: Comparison between Gametogenesis and embryogenesis

FEATURES	GAMETOGENESIS	EMBRYOGENESIS
Process for formation of	Male and female gametes	Embryo
Cell division includes	Mitosis and meiosis	Mitosis
Events include	Cell division and maturation	Cell division, cell growth, and Cell differentiation
End product	Haploid cell	Diploid cell
Event (timing)	Pre-fertilization event	Post fertilization event
Steps involved	Gametocytogenesis, gametogenesis I, gametogenesis II and maturation	Cleavage, gastrulation, neurulation, and organogenesis
Place of occurrence	Spermatogenesis (male reproductive organ)Oogenesis (in a female reproductive organ)	Female reproductive organ

Additional Information:
Gametogenesis involves four main steps:
1. Gametocytogenesis: diploid precursor cells of gametangium undergo cell division through mitosis.
2. Gametogenesis I: primary gametocytes undergo meiosis I
3. Gametogenesis II: secondary gametocytes undergo meiosis II
4. Maturation: secondary gametocytes undergo maturation to form either male or female gametes.
Embryogenesis also involves four main sequences of events:
1. Cleavage: involving cell division without any significant growth. Cells do not separate out and form a cell mass. Involves formation of morula and then blastula (a process known as blastulation)
2. Gastrulation: single-layer blastula develops into multilayer gastrula through cell differentiation (formation of ectoderm, endoderm, and mesodermal layer).
3. Neurulation: includes the transformation of neural plates (the basis of the neural system) into the neural tube.
4. Organogenesis: development of organs from germ layers (ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm) through cell differentiation and specialization.
Male gametes are known as spermatids that mature to form sperms. Oocytes are female mature gametes that are present as polar bodies and only one becomes a mature ovum every month.

Note: Both gametogenesis and embryogenesis are the sequential processes involved in sexual reproduction. Gametogenesis being pre-fertilization (before fusion of male and female gametes) event and embryogenesis is a post-fertilization event.