This mind map summarizes the process of fertilization in humans based on the provided text
and diagram.
Fertilization / Syngamy 🧠
Overview
● Definition: Fusion of a haploid male gamete (sperm) and a haploid female gamete
(ovum) to form a diploid zygote (2n).
● Location: Typically occurs in the ampulla of the fallopian tube.
● Result: Formation of a zygote, which develops into an embryo.
Mechanism of Fertilization
a. Movement of Sperm Towards Egg 🚶♂️
● Capacitation: A 5-6 hour process in the female reproductive tract where the sperm
membrane thins and tails develop rapid "whiplash" movements.
○ Effect: Sperm become active and begin moving from the vagina towards the uterus
and oviduct.
● Speed: Sperm swim at 1.5-3.0 mm/min.
b. Entry of Sperm into the Egg 🎯
● Viability: Sperm are viable for 24-48 hours; the ovum is viable for about 24 hours.
● Reach: Out of millions of sperm, only a few hundred reach the ampulla, and only one
fertilizes the ovum.
● Acrosome Reaction:
○ Sperm releases lytic enzymes called lysins (hyaluronidase and corona-penetrating
enzyme).
○ These enzymes dissolve the cells of the corona radiata and a portion of the zona
pellucida.
○ The zona pellucida contains fertilizin receptor proteins (ZP3, ZP2).
● Fertilizin-Antifertilizin Reaction:
○ Fertilizin (on the ovum) binds to a specific acid protein called antifertilizin (on the
sperm).
○ This is a species-specific "compatibility reaction" that attracts sperm to the egg.
● Egg Reaction:
○ A fertilization cone or cone of reception forms on the egg membrane where the
sperm head makes contact.
○ This contact triggers a cortical reaction: the vitelline membrane changes into a
fertilization membrane.
○ A perivitelline space is created, which deactivates sperm receptors and prevents
polyspermy (entry of multiple sperm).
c. Activation of Ovum 🚀
○ The sperm nucleus and centriole enter the egg; the rest remains outside.
● Meiosis II Completion: Contact with the sperm activates the ovum, which was previously
arrested at metaphase II.
● Results: The ovum completes meiosis II, forming a second polar body and a female
pronucleus.
d. Fusion of Egg and Sperm 🤝
● Transformation: The ovum is now a "true ovum" or "egg."
● Pronuclei Swelling: The nuclei of the sperm (male pronucleus) and the ovum (female
pronucleus) swell.
● Pronuclei Degeneration: Their coverings degenerate, allowing the chromosomes to
intermix.
● Syngamy / Karyogamy: Fusion of the male and female pronuclei to form a single
nucleus called a synkaryon.
● Zygote Formation: The process results in the formation of the zygote.
● Cleavage: The proximal centriole from the sperm aids in the formation of the spindle for
the first cleavage division of the zygote into two blastomeres.
Significance of Fertilization
1. Oogenesis Completion: The secondary oocyte matures into a true ovum.
2. Diploid Number Restoration: The fusion of two haploid gametes (n+n) restores the
diploid chromosome number (2n) in the zygote.
3. Centriole Donation: The sperm provides the centriole necessary for subsequent cell
divisions.
4. Genetic Variation: The fusion of gametes from two parents introduces genetic variations,
which are crucial for evolution.
5. Sex Determination: The sex of the offspring is determined at this stage (XX for female,
XY for male).
