Question

Egg is covered by a tough sheet of tissue that protects it from desiccation and infection by pathogens. But the same tissue also prevents sperm nuclei from encountering the egg nuclei. However, a part of sperm is known to release enzymes that digest this tough sheet. What part of sperm is it?

(a) Tail end

(b) Mitochondria

(c) Acrosome

(d) Sperm nuclei

The question was posed to me by my school teacher while I was bunking the class.

My question is from Human Reproduction topic in division Human Reproduction of Biology – Class 12

Answer 1

The correct answer is (c) Acrosome

The best I can explain: Acrosome is the cap-like structure present on the anterior-most end of the sperm head. It is filled with numerous enzymes like hyaluronic acid which are released upon encounter of egg in female oviduct. These enzymes function by digesting the membrane, thus allowing penetration of head and further release of male nuclei.