What is the Difference Between Ovum and Egg?

The main difference between an ovum and an egg lies in their fertilization state and genetic composition. Here are the key differences:

1. Fertilization: An ovum is an unfertilized female gamete, while an egg is the fertilized state of the ovum.
2. Genetic Composition: The ovum contains only maternal genes, whereas an egg contains both maternal and paternal genes.
3. Ploidy: The genetic materials in an ovum are haploid, meaning they contain half the number of chromosomes, whereas an egg has a diploid state, meaning it contains a full set of chromosomes.
4. Shell: Ovum usually does not have a hardened shell, but eggs could have such an external cover in cases of terrestrial vertebrates.
5. Location: An ovum is always found inside the body of a plant or animal, whereas an egg is usually an encased structure laid to the exterior of the body of an animal.

In summary, an ovum is an unfertilized female reproductive cell containing only maternal genes, while an egg is the fertilized version of an ovum containing both maternal and paternal genes.

Comparative Table: Ovum vs Egg

The main difference between an ovum and an egg lies in their stages of development and fertilization. An ovum is the female gamete, produced in the ovary of a female, and is responsible for containing the necessary DNA for fertilization. On the other hand, an egg is the result of an ovum being fertilized by a sperm, creating a zygote. Here is a table highlighting the differences between an ovum and an egg:

In summary, an ovum is the female reproductive cell that is responsible for containing the necessary DNA, while an egg is the result of an ovum being fertilized by a sperm, creating a zygote. Both the ovum and egg are non-motile and contain half the number of chromosomes compared to a regular cell.