External Fertilization Process
The reproductive process where the male gamete sperm fuses with the female gamete ovum outside the female body. The steps involved in this process are:
- Synchronization: The most important aspect of external fertilization is the perfect timing and synchronization with the environment. Most of the species rely on this method and they are tuned to certain specific triggers like temperature change, daylight duration, and lunar cycles. The coral reefs exhibit mass spawning during lunar cycles and it ensures the release of gametes by many individuals at the same time. This increases the chance of the gametes meeting and results in successful fertilization.
- Release of Gametes: This is the primary step in the external fertilization process, the male and the female species release the sperm and egg into the surrounding environment. The release is done by complex courtship behavior which signals the spawning. In certain species of fish, the males and females come together in groups and release their gametes at the same time which maximizes the chances of fertilization.
- Gamete Fusion: After the release of the gametes into the water, the sperm finds the egg and fertilizes it. This process is influenced by water currents, the concentration of gametes in the water, and the viability of the sperm and eggs. In certain species, eggs emit chemical signals that attract sperm and they fuse to form a zygote.
- Protection and Development: After fertilization the resulting zygote faces challenges in surviving in the open environment so many species develop certain strategies like laying eggs in protective cases or attaching to rocks or plants. In some cases both the parents guard the egg until they are hatched. The development of embryos into larvae continues in the aquatic environment.
Also Read: Internal Fertilization
External Fertilization – An Overview
External fertilization occurs in fish, frogs, and certain invertebrates like sponges. External fertilization is the process of reproduction where the fusion of the male gamete and female gamete takes place outside the body in an external environment. This type of reproduction has various benefits as it has great biodiversity and the chances of survival are also higher. In this article, we will study the process of external fertilisation, examples, features and more.
Table of Content
- What is External Fertilization?
- Characteristics of External Fertilization
- External Fertilization Examples
- External Fertilization Process
- Advantages of External Fertilization
- Disadvantages of External Fertilization
- External Fertilization in Humans
- External Fertilization in Plants
- External Fertilization in Fish
- Difference Between Internal and External Fertilization
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