What term describes the process through which an ovum is fertilized?

The term that describes the process through which an ovum is fertilized is conception. Conception specifically refers to the moment when a sperm cell successfully penetrates and fuses with an ovum (egg), resulting in the formation of a zygote. This is the initial step in the development of a new organism and marks the beginning of pregnancy.

Implantation, while closely related, occurs later in the reproductive process when the fertilized ovum (now a blastocyst) attaches itself to the uterine wall. Ovulation is the phase in the menstrual cycle when a mature egg is released from the ovary, and menstruation refers to the shedding of the uterine lining when fertilization does not occur. Understanding these terms is crucial for grasping the progression of reproductive events and the overall process of human development.