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Biology IB HL - 11.4 Sexual Reproduction Part 4

Biology24 CardsCreated about 1 month ago

This flashcard deck covers key concepts of sexual reproduction, focusing on the processes and stages from sperm capacitation to early embryo development.

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What does capacitation improve?

This improves sperm motility (hyperactivity), meaning sperm is more likely to reach the egg (in the oviduct)
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Key Terms

Term
Definition
What does capacitation improve?
This improves sperm motility (hyperactivity), meaning sperm is more likely to reach the egg (in the oviduct)
What does capacitation destabilise?
It also destabilises the acrosome cap, which is necessary for the acrosome reaction to occur upon egg and sperm contact
What is the role of the acrosome reaction?
When the sperm reaches an egg, the acrosome reaction allows the sperm to break through the surrounding jelly coat
Where does the sperm bind to?
The sperm pushes through the follicular cells of the corona radiata and binds to the zona pellucida (jelly coat)
What does the acrosome vesicle fuse with?
The acrosome vesicle fuses with the jelly coat and releases digestive enzymes which soften the glycoprotein matrix
What does the softening of the zona pellucida allow for?
The sperm then pushes its way through the softened jelly coat and binds to exposed docking proteins on the egg membrane
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Biology IB HL - 11.4 Sexual Reproduction Part 4
TermDefinition
What does capacitation improve?
This improves sperm motility (hyperactivity), meaning sperm is more likely to reach the egg (in the oviduct)
What does capacitation destabilise?
It also destabilises the acrosome cap, which is necessary for the acrosome reaction to occur upon egg and sperm contact
What is the role of the acrosome reaction?
When the sperm reaches an egg, the acrosome reaction allows the sperm to break through the surrounding jelly coat
Where does the sperm bind to?
The sperm pushes through the follicular cells of the corona radiata and binds to the zona pellucida (jelly coat)
What does the acrosome vesicle fuse with?
The acrosome vesicle fuses with the jelly coat and releases digestive enzymes which soften the glycoprotein matrix
What does the softening of the zona pellucida allow for?
The sperm then pushes its way through the softened jelly coat and binds to exposed docking proteins on the egg membrane
What membranes fuse in the acrosome reaction?
The membrane of the egg and sperm then fuse and the sperm nucleus (and centriole) enters the egg
When does the cortical reaction occur?
The cortical reaction occurs once a sperm has successfully penetrated an egg in order to prevent polyspermy
What is released during the cortical reaction?
Cortical granules within the egg’s cytoplasm release enzymes (via exocytosis) into the zona pellucida (jelly coat)
What do these enzymes destroy?
These enzymes destroy sperm binding sites and also thicken and harden the glycoprotein matrix of the jelly coat
What is the role of destroying sperm binding sites?
This prevents other sperm from being able to penetrate the egg (polyspermy), ensuring the zygote formed is diploid
What prompts the completion of meiosis II after fertilisation?
Following the fusion of an egg and sperm (fertilization), an influx of Ca2+ into the ova prompts the completion of meiosis II
What are the fused sperm and egg called?
The egg and sperm nuclei combine to form a diploid nuclei and the fertilized cell is now called a zygote
What will the dividing zygote undergo? What does it form?
The zygote will undergo several mitotic divisions to form a solid ball of cells called a morula
What processes must a morula undergo to form a blastocyst?
As the morula continues to divide, it undergoes differentiation and cavitation (cavity formation) to form a blastocyst
What 3 distinct sections is a blastocyst composed of?
An inner cell mass (that will develop into the embryo) A surrounding outer layer called the trophoblast (this will develop into the placenta) A fluid filled cavity called the blastocoele
What is the final stage of early embryo development?
The final stage of early embryo development is the implantation of the blastocyst into the endometrial lining of the uterus
What does the blastocyst breach? (final stage)
The blastocyst breaches the jelly coat that was surrounding it and preventing its attachment to the endometrium
What is released from the embedded blastocyst?
Digestive enzymes are released which degrade the endometrial lining, while autocrine hormones released from the blastocyst trigger its implantation into the uterine wall
What can occur once the blastocyst is embedded?
Only once the blastocyst is embedded within the uterine wall can the next stage of embryogenesis occur
What sustains the embryos development?
The growing embryo will gain oxygen and nutrients from the endometrial tissue fluid, ensuring its continued development
How long does embryogenesis take?
The entire process (from fertilization to implantation) takes roughly 6 – 8 days
What hormone does the embedded blastocyst begin to secrete?
When a blastocyst becomes implanted in the endometrial lining it begins to secrete human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
What does hCG promote?
hCG promotes the maintenance of the corpus luteum within the ovary and prevents its degeneration