Sperm cannot fertilize an egg until they
A) undergo capacitation.
B) undergo activation.
C) undergo decapitation.
D) lose their acrosome.
E) are in the vagina for 3 days.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Sperm must undergo capacitation, which is a series of changes that occur in the female reproductive tract, in order to be able to fertilize an egg. During capacitation, sperm lose their acrosomal cap and become hyperactivated, allowing them to penetrate the egg's protective layers. Activation refers to the process by which sperm begin moving, but it is not directly involved in fertilization. Decapitation is not a term used in relation to sperm, and sperm do not need to be in the vagina for 3 days in order to fertilize an egg.

Sperm Cannot Fertilize an Egg Until They