acrosome

Examples of acrosome in the following topics:

• Fertilization

  • When a sperm binds to the zona pellucida, a series of biochemical events, called the acrosomal reaction, take place.
  • In placental mammals, the acrosome contains digestive enzymes that initiate the degradation of the glycoprotein matrix protecting the egg and allowing the sperm plasma membrane to fuse with the egg plasma membrane .
  • To ensure that no more than one sperm fertilizes the egg, once the acrosomal reactions take place at one location of the egg membrane, the egg releases proteins in other locations to prevent other sperm from fusing with the egg.
  • (b) Acrosomal reactions help the sperm degrade the glycoprotein matrix protecting the egg and allow the sperm to transfer its nucleus.

• Sperm

  • The head contains the nucleus with densely coiled chromatin fibers, surrounded anteriorly by an acrosome that contains enzymes for penetrating the female egg.

• Fertilization

  • By destabilizing the membrane, the sperm prepares for the acrosome reaction, the enzymatic penetration of the egg's tough membrane, the zona pellucida.

• Spermatogenesis

  • The Golgi apparatus surrounds the now condensed nucleus, becoming the acrosome.
  • Diagram of parts of a spermatozoon, including the acrosome, plasma membrane, nucleus, centriole, mitochondria, terminal disc, axial filament, tail, endpiece, midpiece, and head.