Fertilization

Question 1

The molecule responsible for keeping the chromatin condensed is called ______, a specialized histone that tightly wraps DNA by disulfide bonds.

Answer 1

protamine

Question 2

The acrosome contains ______, which play an important role in fertilization.

Answer 2

hydrolytic enzymes

Question 3

What induces the first meiotic division in the ovum?

Answer 3

the ovulatory LH signal

Question 4

The oocyte then arrests meiosis again, and remains in
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ until (if) fertilization occurs.

Answer 4

metaphase of meiosis II

Question 5

After fertilization, the oocyte resumes _____ and generates the second polar body.

Answer 5

meiosis II

Question 6

After fertilization, the oocyte resumes meiosis II and generates the ______.

Answer 6

second polar body

Question 7

_______ is the process by which spermatozoa become able to undergo the acrosome reaction and subsequently fertilize eggs. This process occurs within the female genital tract.

Answer 7

Sperm capacitation

Question 8

The ______ is the shell-like structure composed of glycoproteins that surrounds the oocyte.

Answer 8

zona pellucida

Question 9

Sperm binding to the zona pellucida is mediated by ____.

Answer 9

ZP3

Question 10

The protein responsible for sperm-oocyte fusion is called ______.

Answer 10

fertilin

Question 11

The egg then undergoes ______, releasing cortical granules (lysosomal enzymes) and forming a new glycoprotein ZP3-F, which is no longer capable of binding sperm.

Answer 11

the zona reaction

Question 12

What is the purpose of the zona reaction?

Answer 12

to prevent polyspermy