Final answer:
The premeiotic germ cells that divide mitotically in females are referred to as primary oocytes. They undergo a series of meiotic divisions and give rise to secondary oocytes and polar bodies. If fertilization occurs, the secondary oocyte completes meiosis to produce a fertilized egg containing all 46 chromosomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cell starting meiosis is called a primary oocyte. This cell will begin the first meiotic division, but be arrested in its progress in the first prophase stage.
At the time of birth, all future eggs are in the prophase stage. At adolescence, anterior pituitary hormones cause the development of a number of follicles in an ovary.
This results in the primary oocyte finishing the first meiotic division.
The cell divides unequally, with most of the cellular material and organelles going to one cell, called a secondary oocyte, and only one set of chromosomes and a small amount of cytoplasm going to the other cell.
This second cell is called a polar body and usually dies. A secondary meiotic arrest occurs, this time at the metaphase II stage.
At ovulation, this secondary oocyte will be released and travel toward the uterus through the oviduct.
If the secondary oocyte is fertilized, the cell continues through the meiosis II, completing meiosis, producing a second polar body and a fertilized egg containing all 46 chromosomes of a human being, half of them coming from the sperm.