NSCI 1404 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Somatic Cell, Gastrulation, Cell Adhesion
2 Oct 2016
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Gametogenesis is a biological process by which diploid or haploid precursor cells undergo cell division and differentiation to form mature haploid gametes. Fertilization (also known as conception, fecundation, syngamy and impregnation) is the fusion of gametes to initiate the development of a new individual organism. In animals, the process involves the fusion of an ovum with a sperm, which first creates a zygote and then leads to the development of an embryo. Events that take place at fertilization, esp. sperm-egg interactions, acrosome reaction, fast and slow blocks to polyspermy. The acrosomal reaction is a change in the sperm that is common to many animals. Its function is best understood in the sea urchin. During fertilization, a sperm must first fuse with the plasma membrane and then penetrate the female egg in order to fertilize it. Fusing to the egg usually causes a little problem, whereas penetrating through the egg"s hard shell can present more of a problem to the sperm.
