The acrosomal reaction is:

a. immune response of egg cell to sperm
b. mechanism of species recognition between sperm and egg cells
c. one stage in apoptosis of sperm cell
d. release of chemicals from the head of the sperm cell triggered by contact with egg envelopes
e. a stage of spermatogenesis

d. release of chemicals from the head of the sperm cell triggered by contact with egg envelopes

The correct answer is d. The acrosomal reaction is the release of chemicals from the head of the sperm cell triggered by contact with egg envelopes.

The correct answer is d. release of chemicals from the head of the sperm cell triggered by contact with egg envelopes.

To get the answer, you can break down the question and analyze each option:

a. Immune response of egg cell to sperm: This is not correct. The acrosomal reaction is not an immune response but rather a specific event that occurs during fertilization.

b. Mechanism of species recognition between sperm and egg cells: This is not correct. While species recognition is an important aspect of fertilization, it is not specifically related to the acrosomal reaction.

c. One stage in apoptosis of sperm cell: This is not correct. Apoptosis refers to programmed cell death, which is not the case with the acrosomal reaction.

d. Release of chemicals from the head of the sperm cell triggered by contact with egg envelopes: This is the correct answer. The acrosomal reaction is a process in which the sperm's acrosome, located in the head of the sperm cell, releases enzymes upon contact with the outer layer of the egg, called the egg envelopes. These enzymes facilitate the penetration of the sperm into the egg for fertilization to occur.

e. A stage of spermatogenesis: This is not correct. Spermatogenesis refers to the process of sperm cell development and maturation, not the acrosomal reaction.

Therefore, the correct answer is d. Release of chemicals from the head of the sperm cell triggered by contact with egg envelopes.