Final answer:
The correct option in the final answer is b. The egg ripens in the ovaries, which are responsible for initiating the menstrual cycle by starting the ovarian cycle. It is during ovulation that a mature egg is released from an ovary into the fallopian tube.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the Female Reproductive Cycle
The female reproductive cycle is an elaborate and coordinated process occurring in mature females, typically on a monthly basis unless interrupted by pregnancy. Within the female reproductive system, ovaries play a crucial role by initiating the cycle with the ripening of an egg, integral to the process of reproduction. At the outset of the menstrual cycle, an egg (ova) begins to mature within the ovarian follicles, indicating the beginning of the ovarian cycle.
These ovarian follicles are located in the cortex of the ovaries and consist of developing eggs surrounded by follicular cells. The ovaries are responsible for the production of eggs and secretion of hormones such as estrogen. As the menstrual cycle progresses, one follicle will eventually rupture during ovulation, releasing one mature egg into the fallopian tube (oviduct). This egg is then ready to be fertilized if sperm is present.
The menstrual cycle is also marked by the endometrial changes in the uterus, preparing it to receive a potentially fertilized egg. Should fertilization occur, it typically takes place in the fallopian tubes, and the fertilized egg then implants into the uterus. If fertilization does not occur, the endometrium is shed during the menstrual period.
Given the information provided, the part of the female reproductive system where an egg begins to ripen at the beginning of each monthly reproductive cycle is b) Ovary.