KIN 210 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Zona Pellucida, Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, Fallopian Tube

• School: University of Waterloo
• Department: Kinesiology
• Course: KIN 210
• Professor: Diane Williams

Document Summary

Sperm and an oocyte (egg) combine and their nuclei fuse to create a diploid cells (zygote) During ejaculation, hundreds of millions of sperm (spermatozoa) are released into vagina. They are overcome with the acidity of the vagina and some are blocked from the thick cervical mucus. Those that enter, more are destroyed by phagocytic uterine leukocytes. If sperm do not encounter an oocyte they can survive in uterine tubes for 3 days (fertilization can occurs days after intercourse. Fluids in the female reproductive tract prepare the sperm for fertilization through a process called capacitation (it capacitates a sperm to fertilize and oocyte) The fluids imrpove the motility of the spermatozoe and deplete cholesterol molecules embedded in the membrane head of the sperm and helps facilitate the release of lysosomal enzymes needed for the penetration into the oocyte"s exterior. At ovulation, the ovary releases the oocyte into the uterine tube.