Question

unit 4 - milestone 4
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question 6
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in which reaction, do digestive enzymes in the head of the sperm help penetrate the zona pellucida?
capacitation
union of pronuclei
acrosomal reaction
cortical reaction

Explanation:

• Capacitation: It is a process that makes the sperm motile and capable of fertilization but does not involve the action of enzymes to penetrate the zona pellucida.
• Union of pronuclei: This occurs after the sperm has already penetrated the egg (including the zona pellucida). It is about the fusion of the genetic material of the sperm and egg.
• Acrosomal reaction: The acrosome (a structure in the head of the sperm) releases digestive enzymes (such as hyaluronidase and acrosin). These enzymes break down the zona pellucida, allowing the sperm to penetrate it.
• Cortical reaction: This is a reaction in the egg that occurs after sperm penetration. It hardens the zona pellucida to prevent polyspermy (multiple sperm fertilizing the egg).

Answer:

Acrosomal reaction