19.13: Introduction to Fertilization
- Page ID
- 44148
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Discuss internal and external methods of fertilization
Sexual reproduction starts with the combination of a sperm and an egg in a process called fertilization. This can occur either outside the bodies or inside the female. Both methods have advantages and disadvantages. Once fertilized, the eggs can develop inside the female or outside. If the egg develops outside the body, it usually has a protective covering over it. Animal anatomy evolved various ways to fertilize, hold, or expel the egg. The method of fertilization varies among animals. Some species release the egg and sperm into the environment, some species retain the egg and receive the sperm into the female body and then expel the developing embryo covered with shell, while still other species retain the developing offspring through the gestation period.
What You’ll Learn to Do
- Define the term fertilization
- Discuss external methods of fertilization
- Discuss internal methods of fertilization
- Describe the anatomical adaptations that occurred in animals to facilitate reproduction
Learning Activities
The learning activities for this section include the following:
- Fertilization
- External and Internal Fertilization
- The Evolution of Reproduction
- Self Check: Fertilization
Contributors and Attributions
- Introduction to Fertilization. Provided by: OpenStax CNX. License: CC BY: Attribution
- Biology. Provided by: OpenStax CNX. Located at: http://cnx.org/contents/185cbf87-c72e-48f5-b51e-f14f21b5eabd@10.8. License: CC BY: Attribution. License Terms: Download for free at http://cnx.org/contents/185cbf87-c72...f21b5eabd@10.8