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Dictionary » P » Polyspermy

Polyspermy

Definition

noun

The fertilization of an ovum by more than one sperm.


Supplement

The ovum fertilized by more than one sperm results in having more than two copies of each chromosome -- one from the ovum and one each from the sperms. The resulting zygote is often inviable.


Word origin: from polyspermia » Gk polyspermía abundance of seed + -y.
Related forms: polyspermic (adjective)

Compare: monospermy.
See also: fertilization.


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Mammalian Gametes

... are silenced till fertilization. It also has vesicles just under the plasma membrane that will release enzymes upon one sperm contact and prevent polyspermy from happening. A release of Ca ++ happens upon fertilization and starts the whole cascade of development. The egg cell is composed of many ...

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by kolean
Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:41 pm
 
Forum: Cell Biology
Topic: Mammalian Gametes
Replies: 3
Views: 7516

The initiating Ca 2+ ion

... upon fertilizaation, starting at the point of sperm entry. This calcium wave is the initiator of the cortical granule reaction that slowly blocks polyspermy and creates the fertilization envelope. Beginning the whole process of development for the zygote.

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by kolean
Wed Jul 01, 2009 2:15 pm
 
Forum: Cell Biology
Topic: The initiating Ca 2+ ion
Replies: 3
Views: 2599

need an answer or something please

... don't want to answer. Nevertheless I will give you the answer. If you get a C in the class, it won't be my fault.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyspermy#Fast_block_of_polyspermy

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by MrMistery
Thu Nov 27, 2008 4:33 pm
 
Forum: Cell Biology
Topic: need an answer or something please
Replies: 4
Views: 1775

Could animal sperm fertilize a human egg?

Well, the zygote would probably not instantaneously abort. In sea urchin, polyspermy does not result in "instantaneous abortion" and development can continue through gastrulation (cf. Boveri). This development occurs even though 2(+) asters are introduced ...

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by snowcapk
Sat Apr 12, 2008 2:01 am
 
Forum: Molecular Biology
Topic: Could animal sperm fertilize a human egg?
Replies: 5
Views: 8759

XYY possible?

i question wether or not this is physiologically possible in humans. True, humans have no slow block to polyspermy like organisms with external fertilisation, so sperms can "get in". But can they actually both fertilise the egg? Will the initial mitosis occur or ...

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by Poison
Thu Aug 24, 2006 3:27 pm
 
Forum: Genetics
Topic: XYY possible?
Replies: 17
Views: 7429
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