During intercourse, sperm are
released into the vagina near the cervix, swim
through the uterus and travel up the fallopian
tubes. Sperm are composed of 3 parts: a head,
a middle section, and a tail. The tail propels
the sperm, which is powered by energy cells stored
in the middle section. The head of the sperm
contains the man's genetic material and
an enzyme-filled acrosomal cap needed to help
the sperm penetrate through the outer membrane
of the egg.
As an egg released by an ovary travels through
a fallopian tube, it may encounter hundreds of
sperm that have survived to reach this point
in their journey. Eventually, one sperm may succeed
in breaking through the egg's outer membrane.
After penetrating the egg's outer membrane,
the sperm releases its nucleus, which unites
with the nucleus from the egg. Fertilization
or conception occurs when the sperm fuses with
the egg to form a fertilized egg (zygote).
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