Parthenogenesis is the development of unfertilized eggs.Which is the most reasonable assumption about a parthenogenetic species?
A) Cytoplasmic reorganization is unnecessary for development in such a species.
B) The egg can assemble the first centrosome from maternal sources alone.
C) Development can continue without establishing polarity at the zygote stage.
D) The egg can undergo cell divisions without a centrosome.
E) Development can occur normally with a homogeneous distribution of developmental signals within the egg.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Centrosomes are responsible for organizing the microtubule cytoskeleton during many aspects of the cell cycle, including mitosis. In a parthenogenetic species, since there is no sperm contribution, the first centrosome must arise from maternal sources alone. This suggests that the egg can assemble the first centrosome without a sperm contribution.

Answer: D
 Centrosomes are important for mitotic spindle assembly and chromosome segregation during cell division. If a species undergoes parthenogenesis, it suggests that the eggs can undergo cell division without the need for a sperm contribution, indicating that the eggs can also undergo cell division without a centrosome.

Parthenogenesis Is the Development of Unfertilized Eggs