Final answer:
Sperm deposited in the vagina travel through the cervix, into the uterus, and up to the fallopian tubes where they may fertilize an oocyte. They must undergo capacitation to penetrate the protective layers around the oocyte for potential fusion to occur.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pathway of Spermatozoa for Fertilization
The path that spermatozoa take from entry into the female reproductive tract to the site of fertilization involves several steps. After ejaculation, sperm are deposited in the vagina. From there, they travel through the cervix, which is the entrance to the uterus. The sperm then move into the uterus where they continue their journey into the fallopian tubes. It is within one of the fallopian tubes that fertilization occurs, if an oocyte (egg) is present. Before reaching the oocyte, sperm must penetrate the layers of cells surrounding it, namely the corona radiata and zona pellucida, and then one sperm will fuse with the oocyte plasma membrane.
Capacitation of Sperm
Sperm must undergo a process called capacitation, which enhances their mobility and changes their membrane to facilitate the penetration of the oocyte's surrounding layers. Capacitation occurs as the sperm travel through the female reproductive tract, preparing them for the potential of fertilization.