Sea Urchin Fertilization Process

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What is the primary purpose of the acrosomal vesicle in the sea urchin sperm?

To store the sperm's nucleus and DNA
To help the sperm penetrate and fuse with the egg (correct)
To create a slow block to polyspermy in the egg
To provide energy for the sperm's movement

What is the primary role of G-actin in the sea urchin fertilization process?

G-actin helps form the acrosomal vesicle that releases enzymes to penetrate the egg (correct)
G-actin polymerizes into F-actin to provide structural support for the sperm tail
G-actin is involved in the fast polyspermy block by triggering cortical granule release
G-actin is responsible for the slow polyspermy block by hardening the egg's surface

What is the primary purpose of the fast polyspermy block in the sea urchin egg?

To trigger the release of cortical granules and harden the egg's surface
To prevent multiple sperm from fusing with the egg (correct)
To provide the energy needed for the sperm to penetrate the egg
To activate the egg's metabolism and initiate embryonic development

What is the primary function of the slow polyspermy block in the sea urchin egg?

To trigger the release of cortical granules and harden the egg's surface (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of calcium ions (Ca++) in the sea urchin fertilization process?

To trigger the acrosome reaction in the sperm (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary contribution of the cortical granules in the sea urchin egg during fertilization?

To create a fast and slow block to polyspermy by hardening the egg's surface (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the acrosome reaction?

To release enzymes that digest a pathway through the egg's outer layer (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of calcium ions (Ca^{2+}) in the process of fertilization?

To trigger the acrosome reaction and polymerization of actin (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the polymerized actin (F-actin) in the fertilization process?

To change the sperm's morphology and increase its surface area (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the protein Bindin in the fertilization process?

To facilitate the adhesion and fusion of the sperm with the egg (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of cortical granules in the prevention of polyspermy?

They initiate the fast block to polyspermy (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the vitelline envelope during fertilization?

To provide a barrier against polyspermy (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the primary role of calcium (Ca++) during fertilization?

To trigger the acrosome reaction in the sperm (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the cortical granules during fertilization?

To provide a barrier against polyspermy by modifying the vitelline envelope (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the main function of the acrosome reaction during fertilization?

To degrade the jelly coat and vitelline envelope of the egg (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of G-actin during the acrosome reaction?

To provide the structural basis for the formation of the long, stalk-like F-actin (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key step in the process of spermatogenesis?

The formation of haploid gametes from diploid spermatogonia (A) Signup and view all the answers