Polar body on an egg. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the surface of a human secondary oocyte (mature egg), with its first polar body. The rounded polar body is seen above centre; the egg surface (lower frame) is covered with hair-like microvilli. Before ovulation the egg cell undergoes meiotic division giving rise to two cells: a secondary oocyte and a polar body. The polar body degenerates and has no function, while the much larger egg develops in preparation for fertilisation. Microvilli may play a role in the communication between cells of the embryo. Magnification: x2,200 at 5x7cm size. x8,400 at 8x10"~LANDSCAPE"