Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

At what stage are ova arrested during the development of female children?

1. Meiotic prophase I

2. Metaphase II

3. Telophase I

4. Fertilization

The correct answer is: Meiotic prophase I

During the development of female children, ova are arrested at meiotic prophase I. In females, the process of oogenesis begins during fetal development, and primary oocytes are formed. These primary oocytes enter prophase I of meiosis but do not complete the first meiotic division until puberty, where they remain paused in this stage until triggered to continue by hormonal signals. This arrest at meiotic prophase I allows the female to retain a finite number of oocytes for potential fertilization throughout her reproductive years. Once ovulation begins, the primary oocyte completes its first meiotic division, resulting in a secondary oocyte and a polar body, and the secondary oocyte then enters metaphase II, where it can be fertilized but is also arrested until that occurs. By understanding this developmental pause, it becomes clear how the timing of ovum development is crucial to the female reproductive cycle and fertility. The other stages and events listed do not reflect the state of ova in females prior to puberty or during childhood development.