Fertilization of the Egg
Millions of sperm begin the journey, but a comparative few reach the tiny egg in the oviduct. Some sperm attach to the membrane, which covers the egg, and activate it, so that finally one sperm may enter and fertilize.
The one sperm that enters the egg loses its tail, which is absorbed, and its head proceeds on through the food-rich substance of the egg. This one tiny sperm carries the father’s threads of inheritance to the egg’s center, where the mother’s threads of inheritance lie. These chromosomes contain thousands of smaller units called genes that specify the inherited characteristics of the child. The male sperm carries the sex-determining chromosome. In a few hours, the threads of inheritance of the two parents become knitted together. In a few hours, the fertilized egg begins to divide and goes on to become a cluster of bubblelike cells.
Posted in Understanding the Basics
To Ed Wheat Sr. and Gladys Gibson Wheat, whose commitment, devotion, warmth, generosity, and integrity stood for fifty years as a beautiful picture of genuine agape love.