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Beginning of Life
Pregnancy
Personal Links
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Stripping Of OvumWhen the sperm reaches the ovum, it is still covered by the nutrient cells (lower right). In order for the sperm to penetrate the ovum these cells must be cleared away. The cap of the sperm, the acrosome, gradually disappears and enzymes are released. These enzymes help the sperm to break down the nutrient cells surrounding the ovum.
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Several sperm may try to break down the nutrient cells. Above, the head of one sperm is visible and the tail of the other. The first sperm to reach the ovum will be the winning one to penetratethe ovum.  Once the sperm has penetrated the ovum the tail of the sperm has served its purpose and seperates from the head.  Here we see the head of the winning sperm visible inside the ovum. Now the ovum closes up to prevent any more sperm from entering. |
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