Q.41 - Biology

Question

What do you think would happen if multiple sperm fused with one egg? 

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

If multiple sperm fuse to one egg the result is something called polyspermy.

Step 1.Introduction

• Fertilization is the process in which a new cell is formed when two gametes (sex cells) sperm and ova fuse together. 
•  Polyspermy describes the fertilization of an egg by more than one sperm.

Step 2. Explanation

• If multiple sperm fused with one egg, a zygote with a multiple ploidy level (multiple copies of the chromosomes) would form, and then would die.

• If multiple sperm fuse to one egg the result is something called polyspermy, which results in abnormal embryo development. To ensure fusion of a single sperm, the egg becomes rapidly intolerant to additional sperm.