The age-dependent increase in replication errors in sperm versus oocytes is caused by which of the following?
A) Oocytes sitting dormant for longer periods of time
B) Increased number of mitotic divisions in developing sperm compared to oocytes
C) Greater chance of exposure to mutagens for sperm
D) Less efficient DNA repair systems in developing sperm
E) Natural selection for variability in sperm

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The age-dependent increase in replication errors in sperm versus oocytes is primarily due to the increased number of mitotic divisions that occur in the development of sperm compared to oocytes. As men age, the number of cell divisions required to produce sperm continuously increases, leading to a higher chance of replication errors. Oocytes, on the other hand, complete their mitotic divisions before birth and remain dormant until ovulation, leading to fewer opportunities for replication errors to accumulate over time.

The Age-Dependent Increase in Replication Errors in Sperm Versus Oocytes