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Which one of the following statements about human sperm is correct?
A
Acrosome serves no particular function
B
Acrosome has a conical pointed structure used for piercing and penetrating the egg resulting in fertilization
C
The sperm lysins in the acrosome dissolve the egg envelope facilitating fertilization
D
Acrosome serves as a sensory structure leading the sperm towards the ovum
Detailed Solution
The head of the sperm contains an elongated haploid nucleus, the anterior portion of which is covered by a cap-like structure, the acrosome.
The acrosome is filled with enzymes (sperm lysins such as hyaluronidase and acrosin) that help in the fertilisation of the ovum.
These enzymes dissolve the egg envelopes (corona radiata and zona pellucida), allowing the sperm to reach the plasma membrane of the ovum.
So penetration is enzymatic, not by mechanical piercing, and the acrosome is neither functionless nor a sensory structure.
Hence the correct statement is that the sperm lysins in the acrosome dissolve the egg envelope, facilitating fertilisation.
The acrosome is filled with enzymes (sperm lysins such as hyaluronidase and acrosin) that help in the fertilisation of the ovum.
These enzymes dissolve the egg envelopes (corona radiata and zona pellucida), allowing the sperm to reach the plasma membrane of the ovum.
So penetration is enzymatic, not by mechanical piercing, and the acrosome is neither functionless nor a sensory structure.
Hence the correct statement is that the sperm lysins in the acrosome dissolve the egg envelope, facilitating fertilisation.