In: Biology
Explain which model organism (sea urchin, fruit fly, frog, or mouse) is best suited for studying the following events of fertilization to better understand human fertilization
- the acrosome reaction
- sperm-egg membrane fusion
Design an effective contraceptive method
The sea urchin embryo has long been used as a model organism to address the process of fertilization in humans because of number of features that make it an ideal system. The simple spawning, fertlization and rearing, and embryo optical transparency make easier to visualize the various stages of development.
The early development of the sea urchin has been studies in detail as the steps of ots fertilization are known in much more detail than any other model organisms. The sperm must travel vast distances to locate a compatible egg, it is directed to the egg through chemotaxis. It is similar to humans where the sperm needs to travel in the female reproductive tract until egg is found in the fallopian tube.
Upon reaching an egg, protein receptors located on the surface of the head of the sperm interact with the jelly like coating on the egg. This initiates a response in the acrosome of the sperm, resulting in the release of acrosomal enzymes These enzymes break down the jelly coat.
The sperm is then allowed to continue on the plasma membrane of the egg. Finally, the plasma membrane of the egg and the sperm fuse, allowing the egg to be fertilized with the genetic material of the sperm.
The effective contraceptive methods could be
a. Decreasing the motility of the sperm in the female reproductive tract.
b. Using a chemical to coat the egg which does not allow the sperm penetration.