In an egg cell treated with EDTA, a chemical that binds calcium and magnesium ions, the
A) acrosomal reaction would be blocked.
B) fusion of sperm and egg nuclei would be blocked.
C) fast block to polyspermy would not occur.
D) fertilization envelope would not be formed.
E) zygote would not contain maternal and paternal chromosomes.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

EDTA treatment prevents the formation of the fertilization envelope, which is a structure that separates the fertilized egg from additional sperm. The fertilization envelope is composed of glycoproteins and polysaccharides, and its formation requires an influx of calcium ions. Since EDTA binds calcium ions, it inhibits the formation of the fertilization envelope, which prevents the fast block to polyspermy.

In an Egg Cell Treated with EDTA, a Chemical That