Polar Body
When certain diploid cells in animals undergo cytokinesis after meiosis to produce egg cells, they sometimes divide unevenly. Most of the cytoplasm is segregated into one daughter cell, which becomes the egg or ovum. The other, smaller cells are called polar bodies. They frequently die (apoptose) and disappear, but in some cases they remain and can be important in the life cycle of the organism.
Read more about Polar Body: Twinning, Additional Images, Popular Culture
Famous quotes containing the words polar and/or body:
“In time your relatives will come to accept the idea that a career is as important to you as your family. Of course, in time the polar ice cap will melt.”
—Barbara Dale (b. 1940)
“The body prospered, teeth in the marrowed gums,
The growing bones, the rumour of manseed
Within the hallowed gland, blood blessed the heart....”
—Dylan Thomas (1914–1953)