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Human fertilization is the union of an egg and sperm, occurring primarily in the ampulla of the fallopian tube. [1] The result of this union leads to the production of a fertilized egg called a zygote, initiating embryonic development. Scientists discovered the dynamics of human fertilization in the 19th century. [2]
In biological terms, human development entails growth from a one-celled zygote to an adult human being. Fertilization occurs when the sperm cell successfully enters and fuses with an egg cell . [2] The genetic material of the sperm and egg then combine to form a single cell called a zygote and the germinal stage of prenatal development commences.
During sexual intercourse, sperm cells are ejaculated into the vagina through the penis, resulting in fertilization of an ovum to form a zygote. [1] While normal cells contain 46 chromosomes (23 pairs), gamete cells contain only half that number, and it is when these two cells merge into one combined zygote cell that genetic recombination occurs.
In biological terms, the development of the human body entails growth from a one-celled zygote to an adult human being. Fertilization occurs when the sperm cell successfully enters and fuses with an egg cell (ovum). The genetic material of the sperm and egg then combine to form the single cell zygote and the germinal stage of development commences.
Oocyte (or ovum/egg) activation is a series of processes that occur in the oocyte during fertilization. Sperm entry causes calcium release into the oocyte. In mammals, this is caused by the introduction of phospholipase C isoform zeta (PLCζ) from the sperm cytoplasm. [1] Activation of the ovum includes the following events:
The zygote is the earliest developmental stage. In humans and most other anisogamous organisms, a zygote is formed when an egg cell and sperm cell come together to create a new unique organism. The formation of a totipotent zygote with the potential to produce a whole organism depends on epigenetic reprogramming.
The resulting zygote then gives rise to an embryo, which will grow into a new diploid individual, known as a sporophyte. In seed plants, a structure called the ovule contains the female gametophyte. The gametophyte produces an egg cell. After fertilization, the ovule develops into a seed containing the embryo. [14]
Fertilization of the ovum to form a new human organism, the human zygote. (day 1 of fertilization [1]) The zygote undergoes mitotic cellular divisions, but does not increase in size. This mitosis is also known as cleavage. A hollow cavity forms marking the blastocyst stage. (day 1.5–3 of fertilization. [1])