Question

Any man could, in his lifetime, theoretically fertilize all the eggs of every woman on Earth. Females, on the other hand, are instead limited by how many eggs they can produce and provision. What is this known as?

1) Genetic limitation
2) Reproductive limitation
3) Biological limitation
4) Fertility limitation

Answer 1

The concept that men could theoretically fertilize all eggs of every woman on Earth, while women are limited by the eggs they produce, is called fecundity limitation. This biological limitation is due to the finite number of eggs and reproductive lifespan of females.

Step-by-step explanation:

The theoretical concept that any man could fertilize all the eggs of every woman on Earth, whereas females are limited by the number of eggs they can produce, is known as fecundity limitation. Fecundity refers to the potential reproductive capacity of an individual within a population. While males, given their production of approximately 170 million sperm per day, have the theoretical capacity to fertilize multiple eggs, females are limited by the finite number of eggs produced in their lifetime, which ceases entirely with menopause.

This inequality in reproductive potential highlights the biological limitation in females due to their fixed number of eggs and the window of reproductive age, which usually ends around the age of 52, as well as other factors influencing fertility such as polycystic ovary syndrome, structural problems in reproductive anatomy, and lifestyle factors.