2006-06-26 17:39:07 · 5 answers · asked by melanie p 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Egg cells have to carry some nutrition for the developing embryo. Also, sperm just carry genetic information. A fertilized zygote will also need a full complement of cellular organelles in order to begin its development. The mother supplies mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, cytoplasm, etc.
All that stuff requires significant real estate, hence the large egg cells. Egg cells are REALLY big in species that lay hard-shelled eggs. Like an ostrich egg, for example - that starts fully formed as a single cell. It is the largest single cell produced by an animal alive today.
2006-06-26 19:09:17 · answer #1 · answered by nardhelain 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Egg cells generally contain a lot of nutrient material for the developing embryo to use for energy.
Best wishes and God bless.
2006-06-26 17:42:26 · answer #2 · answered by bobhayes 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They aren't a mammal for one thing. A PLATYPUS has an egg that they lay to hatch, and THEY ARE a mammal. But, I think Platypus are the only mammals to do so.
2006-07-03 08:32:03 · answer #3 · answered by thewordofgodisjesus 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because they contain alot of genetic information as well as useless information.
2006-06-26 17:50:39 · answer #4 · answered by AdamKadmon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They have a lot to live up to.
2006-06-26 17:44:51 · answer #5 · answered by gnomes31 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋