Oogenesis is the process of egg cell (oocyte) development in females. It occurs in the ovaries and involves the maturation of primordial germ cells into mature ova through several stages, including mitosis, meiosis, and differentiation. Oogenesis is characterized by the uneven division of cytoplasm, resulting in one functional egg and smaller polar bodies, which eventually degenerate. This process is crucial for sexual reproduction, allowing for the formation of eggs that can be fertilized by sperm.