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In spermatozoa (also known as sperm/sperm cell) of many animals, the Acrosome is an organelle that develops over the anterior half of the sperm's head. It is a cap-like structure derived from the Golgi apparatus. Acrosome formation is completed during testicular maturation. In Eutherian mammals the acrosome contains digestive enzymes (including hyaluronidase and acrosin). [1] These enzymes breakdown the outer membrane of the ovum called the zona pellucida, allowing the haploid nuclei in the sperm to join with the haploid nucleus found in the ova.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ acrosome definition - Dictionary - MSN Encarta. Retrieved on 2007-08-15.
