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fertilisation occurs when which part of the sperm and the egg cell fuse?

Fertilisation occurs when the plasma membrane of the head of the sperm fuses with the plasma membrane of the egg cell.

Quick Scoop

  • The head of the sperm carries its nucleus (genetic material) and is covered by a plasma membrane.
  • The egg cell is also surrounded by a plasma membrane that encloses its cytoplasm and nucleus.
  • During fertilisation, these two plasma membranes fuse, allowing the sperm’s genetic material to enter the egg and later enabling the fusion of their nuclei to form a zygote.

In simple exam language: fertilisation occurs when the plasma membrane of the sperm head fuses with the plasma membrane of the egg cell.

TL;DR: Fertilisation is the fusion of the sperm’s and egg’s plasma membranes (at the sperm head and egg cell surface), allowing their nuclei to eventually unite.

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