LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET (LAS) #13

Name of Learner_________________________CLC:____________________Date:___________

Learning Strand 2 – Scientific and Critical Thinking Skills Activity Sheet

THE PROCESS OF FERTILIZATION

I. Learning Competency with Code:

1. Explain the process of fertilization through an illustration. LS2SC-BC-PSD-AE/JHS-45

II. Background Information for Learners

Fertilization is a complex set of events involving the fusion of two gametes to produce a
new individual. In production of the gametes, the number of chromosomes is halved by
meiosis. Oogenesis results in a large, complex oocyte that contains the proteins, enzymes, and
other factors necessary for the first days of development. Spermatogenesis has to ensure that
the sperm is able to travel through the female reproductive tract to meet and fertilize the
oocyte.
The Four Steps of Fertilization:
Step I – Preparation of the Sperm – Ejaculated sperm are not ready to fertilize an egg when
they enter the vagina. In response to the dilution of semen in the vagina, they undergo several
changes, which are collectively known as capacitation.
Spermatic motility is activated and tails change beat frequency. Sperm cell surface antigens are
lost and the loss of these proteins renders the sperm more receptive to binding to the egg.

Step II – Sperm-Egg Binding – The sperm and egg extracellular matrix bind in a relatively
species-specific manner via glycoproteins in the zona pellucida and receptors on the sperm
head. Sperm acrosomal contents are released and the sperm progresses through the zona
pellucida and perivitelline space to reach the egg plasma membrane. Sperm and egg plasma
membranes bind and fuse, resulting in incorporation of sperm contents into the egg cytoplasm.

Step III – Sperm-Egg Fusion – After the sperm enters the cytoplasm of the oocyte, the tail and
the outer coating of the sperm disintegrate and the cortical reaction takes place, preventing
other sperm from fertilizing the same egg. The sperm nucleus then fuses with the ovum,
enabling fusion of their genetic material.

Step IV – Activation: The Egg’s Response – Oocyte (or ovum/egg) activation is a series of

processes that occur in the oocyte during fertilization.
Sperm entry causes calcium release into the oocyte. In mammals, this is caused by the
introduction of phospholipase C isoform zeta from the sperm cytoplasm. Activation of the ovum
includes the following events:
● Cortical reaction to block against other sperm cells
● Activation of egg metabolism
● Reactivation of meiosis
● DNA synthesis

Illustration 1. Fertilization.
 After a sperm cell comes in contact with the outer layers of an egg cell, the acrosome,
which is a prominence at the anterior tip of the spermatozoa, undergoes a series of well-
defined structural changes that opens a path for the sperm nucleus.

Illustration 2. Fertilization.
Fertilization of a human egg. (1) The
sperm release enzymes that help disperse the
corona radiata and bind to the zona
pellucida. (2) The outer sperm head layer is
sloughed off, exposing enzymes that digest a
path through the zona pellucida. (3) The
sperm fuses with the egg cell membrane,
causing the zona pellucida to become
impenetrable to other sperm. (4) The tail
separates from the sperm head, and the male
pronucleus enlarges and travels to the female
pronucleus in the center of the cell.
Chromosomes merge to form a fertilized egg.

III. References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oocyte_activation
http://www.columbia.edu/itc/hs/medical/humandev/2004/Chapt1-Fertilization.pdf
https://www.nature.com/articles/434152a
https://www.britannica.com/science/fertilization-reproduction/images-videos#Images

IV. Activity Proper

Activity 1
Multiple Choice
Directions: Choose and encircle the letter of the best answer.

1. When ejaculated sperms are not ready to fertilize an egg when they enter the vagina and so in
response to the dilution of semen in the vagina they undergo several changes which is called?
a. Fertilization b. Capacitation c. Antibiotics d. Preparation

2. What is the process where the sperm and egg extracellular matrix bind in a relatively
species-specific manner via glycoproteins in the zona pellucida and receptors on the sperm
head?
a. Sperm-egg binding b. Sperm-egg fusion c. Fertilization d. Television

3. When two gametes fuse together with a purpose of creating or producing a new
individual, what process occurs?
a. Digestion b. Fertilization c. Combustion d. Fusion

4. In what step of fertilization is DNA synthesis being observed?

a. Step I b. Step II c. Step III d. Step IV

5. In what step of fertilization does the tail and the outer coating of the sperm disintegrate
and the cortical reaction takes place?
a. Preparation of the sperm
 b. Sperm – egg binding
c. Sperm – egg fusion
d. Egg Activation/Reaction

Activity 2
Directions: Match the steps in column A to its corresponding processes in column B.

Column A Column B

1. Step I a. Oocyte (or ovum/egg) activation is a
series of processes that occur in
2. Step II the oocyte during fertilization.
b. Ejaculated sperm are not ready to
3. Step III fertilize an egg when they enter the
vagina. In response to the dilution of
4. Step IV semen in the vagina, they undergo
several changes, which are
collectively known as capacitation.
c. After the sperm enters the cytoplasm
of the oocyte, the tail and the outer
coating of the sperm disintegrate and
the cortical reaction takes place,
preventing other sperm from
fertilizing the same egg.
d. Sperm acrosomal contents are
released and the sperm progresses
through the zona pellucida and
perivitelline space to reach the egg
plasma membrane.

Activity 3
Direction: Draw/Illustrate a simple process of fertilization and explain each process or stages
of your illustration.
V. Reflection:

1. What are your significant learnings from these Learning Activity Sheets?

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Prepared by:

KENNETH B. BRILLO
ALS Mobile Teacher