during ejaculation, millions of sperm cells move along the spermduct (aka vas deferens)
the sperm are suspended in semen, secreted by prostategland
semen passes into urethra
during intercourse, semen is ejaculated into the vagina near the cervix
the sperm follow a chemicaltrail and travel through the plug of mucus in the cervix to reach the uterus and travel into the oviducts
if a sperm meets an egg in the oviduct -> fertilisation (usually 1-2 days after female ovulated)
fertilisation 2
fertilisation is the fusion of the nuclei from a sperm cell and an egg cell to form a zygote
during fertilisation, the head of a sperm releases enzymes hat digest a path through the outer layer of the egg, allowing it to pass thru the egg cell membrane
the egg releases a thick layer of material that prevents any more sperm from entering so only 1 sperm fertilises
46 chromosomes, divides by mitosis until an embryo is formed after a few days, then cells specialise to perform particular functions and form all the body tissues of the offspring