Final answer:
Ovulation occurs mid-cycle when a mature egg is released and enters the fallopian tube where it may meet sperm for fertilization. The egg is propelled by cilia and muscular contractions towards the uterus, where, if fertilized, it implants and develops into an embryo.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ovulation and Fertilization
During the female menstrual cycle, ovulation is the process where the most mature egg is released from the ovary. Around day 14 of a typical 28-day cycle, the egg, now called a secondary oocyte, bursts out of the follicle and enters the fallopian tube through the sweeping action of the fimbriae. The egg's journey through the fallopian tube towards the uterus is facilitated by the cilia lining the tube, as well as muscular contractions influenced by high estrogen levels.
For fertilization to take place, sperm must be present within the fallopian tube. Sperms are deposited in the vagina during sexual intercourse and travel through the cervix and uterus to reach the egg in the fallopian tube. If a sperm successfully fertilizes the egg, it becomes a diploid zygote, which then continues its journey to the uterus for implantation. Should fertilization not occur, the egg disintegrates and is reabsorbed by the body.