[Campbell Biology P.1095] Which of the following statements accurately describes a difference... | Practice Question

Which of the following statements accurately describes a difference between fertilization in mammals and sea urchins as presented in the text?

  • A: Mammalian eggs complete meiosis before ovulation, while sea urchin eggs are arrested at metaphase II.
  • B: The first cell division occurs significantly faster in mammals than in sea urchins after sperm binding.
  • C: Mammals fertilize their eggs internally, whereas sea urchins typically fertilize externally.
  • D: Both species utilize a fast block to polyspermy, but only mammals have a slow block.

Explanation

The text states, "Unlike sea urchins and most other marine invertebrates, terrestrial animals, including mammals, fertilize their eggs internally." This directly contrasts the internal fertilization in mammals with the implied external fertilization of sea urchins as marine invertebrates .