Describe the process of fertilization in human beings.
Answer:
-Fertilization occurs in the oviduct/fallopian tube;
-When the sperm comes into contact with the egg, the acrosome bursts open and releases lytic enzymes; which dissolve the vitelline/ egg membrane; and also disperse the follicle cells surrounding the egg cell;
-The acrosome forms a fine filament that is used to penetrate the egg; hence head of the sperm enters the ovum and the tail is left outside the ovum;
-The vitelline membrane then undergoes a change which stops any other sperm from entering the ovum;
-Once the head is in the cytoplasm, it bursts to release the male nucleus which fuses with the female nucleus; to form a diploid zygote;