The Cortical Reaction of Sea Urchin Eggs Functions Directly In

Question

The cortical reaction of sea urchin eggs functions directly in
A) the formation of a fertilization envelope.
B) the production of a fast block to polyspermy.
C) the release of hydrolytic enzymes from the sperm.
D) the generation of an electrical impulse by the egg.
E) the fusion of egg and sperm nuclei.

Accepted Answer

The cortical reaction in sea urchin eggs leads to the formation of a fertilization envelope, which is a physical barrier that prevents additional sperm from fertilizing the egg, thus providing a block to polyspermy.