Which of the following is NOT a stage of fertilization?

The process of fertilization involves several distinct stages that culminate in the formation of a zygote. The stages typically include contact, entry, and activation of the egg cell.

Contact refers to the initial interaction between the sperm and the egg, which can involve a series of molecular signaling pathways that facilitate the sperm binding to the egg’s surface. Entry is the stage where the sperm penetrates the egg’s protective layers and enters the cytoplasm. After the sperm successfully enters the egg, activation of the cell occurs, triggering a series of metabolic and developmental changes within the egg that lead to its readiness for development into an embryo.

Interphase, on the other hand, is a phase associated with the cell cycle where the cell prepares for division. This phase is characterized by a series of events that prepare a cell for mitosis, including DNA replication and cellular growth. It is not a part of the fertilization process itself since fertilization typically involves the immediate actions leading from the interaction of sperm and egg to the initiation of zygotic development, rather than preparatory phases related to cell division. Therefore, interphase does not fit within the context of fertilization stages.