C 405 task 9.docx Task 9 Anatomy and Physiology II C405 Task 9 Describe the process

C 405 task 9.docx    Task 9  Anatomy and Physiology II  C405  Task 9  Describe the process of fertilization  Fertilization is the process in which an egg and a sperm join to form a zygote. For fertilization to occur, the egg must be released from the ovary and travel into the fallopian tube, and sperm must enter the female reproductive tract. Sperm is released during ejaculation into the vagina and travels through the cervix into the uterus.   As the egg is released, changes in hormones create an acidic environment in the vagina. The semen works to buffer this acidity and preserve sperm. The semen and vaginal secretions mix and create an environment conducive to sperm survival, this change activates sperm flagella, and there is increased sperm motility. ("Egg Meets Sperm," n.d.)  As sperm pass from the vagina through the cervix, uterine contractions assist by pushing the sperm upward to the fallopian tube. Once the sperm locates the egg in the fallopian tube, they bind with the zona pellucida, a layer surrounding the membrane of the egg. As the sperm€™s head fuses with this plasma membrane, the acrosome (cap-like structure on the head of the sperm) reacts, and enzymes are released. ("Egg Meets Sperm," n.d.) The enzymes penetrate the zona pellucida, and the sperm can enter the egg, at this time the two fuse and the egg receives the genetic material from the sperm. ("Egg Meets Sperm," n.d.)  At the time of the initial fusion, a reaction is triggered that causes change to the cell membrane, preven