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Watch “Fertilization” Video

SUMMARY:

Humans undergo sexual reproduction. This means that a male and a female parent is needed
to produce an offspring. The female gamete is called the egg cell and the male gamete is called the
sperm cell. These two cells must be joined together to give a new life. But the process of uniting
these two cells is not as easy as what we think of.

During sexual intercourse, a male can release almost 300 million sperm cells, contained in the
seminal fluid. Some of the seminal fluid gets out of the vagina, and some travel inside the vagina. At
this point, many sperm cells die due to the acidic environment inside the vagina. The sperm cells that
have survived would continue their way up to the cervix opening. This is open during the ovulation
period; however, some sperm still get trapped. The sperm cells that managed to get in will travel to
the uterus. The woman’s immune system might react to the presence of sperm cells, and might
mistake them to be foreign bodies, thereby killing more sperm cells. Now that they’re up the uterus,
the sperm cells will have to choose which side will they swim – either to the left fallopian tube or to the
right side. Only one side of the fallopian tube contains their target, no other than the egg cell. So, the
sperm cells which choose the correct side will have a chance to meet with the egg cell. Even so, the
sperm cells which travel to the fallopian tube with the egg cell will still have to make an effort
because, in this area, the motion is against them due to the cilia that push the egg towards the uterus.
Some sperm cells get trapped in the cilia, but some others would get stronger due to chemical
changes. These stronger sperm cells would swim until they reach the egg cell. At this point, only a
few dozen remain. An obstacle is still present here because the egg cell is covered by Zona
Pellucida. Some enzymes are released, which enables them to pass through this covering. Then, the
first sperm that was able to attach to the surface of the egg cell will fertilize the egg. All the other
sperm cells will be inactivated.

Now, fertilization will take place. The genetic material of the male parent will unfold, as well as
the genetic material of the female parent. The chromosomes, 23 each, will combine and at this
moment, the genetic trait of the offspring is determined. This forms the zygote, and will, later on,
develop into a fetus and then into a baby, after 9 months.

In conclusion, it is amazing to think that life starts as early as fertilization. Moreover, sperm
cells faced lots of challenges in getting into its target destination, the egg cell, but still made it
through. That’s why we must put importance to each and everyone’s lives, even to those unborn yet.