Question

What happens in an acrosome reaction?

Answer 1

Acrosome reaction:

1. The acrosome reaction is the exocytosis of the acrosome or the fusion of the acrosome membrane with the protoplasmic membrane of the sperm.
2. Acrosome reaction process releases the contents of the acrosome to the outside of the sperm, exposing the inner acrosome membrane protein on the outer plasma membrane of the sperm.
3. Acrosome reaction is triggered by the binding of sperm to molecules within the protective cover of the egg.
4. This binding stimulates a calcium influx into the cytosol of sperm, which initiates the exocytosis of the acrosome.
5. Exocytosis of acrosome has three important consequences: release of proteolytic enzymes, an extension of the acrosomal process, and exposure of membrane proteins.
6. After the acrosome reaction, fertilization occurs and the cytoplasm of the two gamete cells fuses into the cytoplasm with two nuclei.
7. Further division and cell cycle occur, forming zygotes and then embryos.