why is impotant that only one sperm cell feretilizes an egg cell?

Question

why is impotant that only one sperm cell feretilizes an egg cell

Answer 1

The amount of chromosomes needed to make up a zygote are found in the unification of one sperm cell and one egg cell. A human sperm cell has 23 chromosomes and a human egg cell has 23 also. When they come together they will form a human baby with 46 chromosomes....Any more or less and genetic diseases can affect the baby.

Answer 2

You've already gotten seveal good responces, but here is my take on it. The difference is pretty small. The Egg is much larger that the Sperm because it contains the cells organells as well as half of the genetic information. The Egg is generally unable to move on it's own. The Sperm on the other hand only contains it's half of the genetic information which will join with the Egg to form a new cell (and eventually a child). The sperm is also mobile and uses a special "tail" to move itself through the vagina and uterus to meet up with the Egg. So why do we need the two. As most higher order organisms, Humans reproduce by sexual reproduction. That means we have Males and Females who each contribute half of their genetic information to produce an offspring which is a blend of the two parents. Some organisms (bacteria and such) reproduce by basically cloneing themselves. The problem with this is that should a disease affect the population and the population is all genetically the same, then they could be severaly hurt because they are all so close. In other words. Assume you are an exact copy of your mother. Now your mother catches a bacterial infection that her immune system cannot fight off. Because you are an exact copy of her you will also be unlikely to fight off the infection. If this infection is lethal then you will both die. But if your Mother is unable to fight it off but your Father is, and you are a blend of the two, then it is more likely that you will be able to fight off the infection. The same idea works for genetic problems such as hemophilia and other harmful mutations. So basically we need Sperm and Egg cells to ensure that the Genes are randomly mixed and thus produce a population that is more likely to survive.

Answer 3

The egg contains DNA from the mom, the sperm, DNA from the dad. Each contributes exactly half of the chromosomes you need to create a human. If two sperm fertilized the same egg, then you would get 1.5 times the number of chromosomes you need for a healthy human.

By the way, twins are NOT born from two sperm fertilizing the same egg. Identical twins happen when one sperm fertilizes one egg and the cells split, causing two fetuses to form. Fraternal twins happen when two eggs are fertilized by two sperm (i.e., one sperm each egg).

Answer 4

That's all that can fertilize it. The egg closes off against any other sperm after the one makes it in. Obviously it was the fastest and strongest, so it's the one.

Answer 5

thats bcuz when 1 sperm fertilizes the ovum, the ovum develops a layer called zona pellucida which deflects the other sperms

in rare cases 2 sperms do fertilize a single egg, then twins are born, but this is vry rare

Answer 6

That way, the sperm cells that are left can run around and make you feel good inside.

Answer 7

it is soooo funny that you wrote "impotant." if you were impotent, none of your sperm would work anyway.

Answer 8

1 set male dna,1 set female dna = 1 person.

Answer 9

one sperm cell one baby two cell two baby's...

Answer 10

only one can