Cells

• Parts of a Female Reproductive Cell

  • Cortical granule
  • Corona radiata
  • Zona pellucida
• Cortical granule


  An organelle found in the cytoplasm of the oocyte that releases its contents into the extracellular space between the oocyte and the zona pellucida after fertilization, creating a fertilization membrane that prevents polyspermy
• Corona radiata


  An outer layer of follicular (granulosa) cells that surround a developing oocyte in the ovary and remain with it upon ovulation, providing protection for the oocyte and helping to guide sperm towards the zona pellucida
• Zona pellucida


  A thick, transparent layer that surrounds the oocyte, composed of glycoproteins, providing protection for the oocyte as well as a barrier to prevent polyspermy, undergoing a modification known as the zona reaction after fertilization to prevent other sperm from binding to and entering the egg
• Parts of a Male Reproductive Cell

  • Axoneme
  • Acrosome
  • Flagellum
• Axoneme


  A microtubule-based structure that forms the core of the flagellum, responsible for the movement of the flagellum which propels the sperm toward the egg
• Acrosome


  A specialized secretory vesicle located at the anterior end of the sperm's head, containing hydrolytic enzymes that help the sperm to penetrate the egg's outer coat during fertilization
• Flagellum


  A long, whip-like structure that extends from the posterior end of the sperm, composed of an axoneme