Histology of the Male Reproductive System 3 Flashcards
Describe the structure of a spermatozoon at the electron microscopic level.
1
Q
Describe the structure of a spermatazoon.
A
- Three main parts:
-
Head
- condensed, flattened nucleus capped by the acrosome with enzymes required for penetration of the zona pellucida that surrounds the ovum
- specialized lysosome
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Neck
- pair of centrioles
- the beginning of major parts of the taile, the axoneme
- outer dense fibers
- centrioles initiate development of motor component of flagellum
- axoneme has nine outer microtubule doubles surrounding a central pair
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Tail
- middle piece - characterized by a wrapping of mitochondria peripheral to the outer dense fibers and the axoneme
- principal piece - with the axoneme, outer dense fibers, and outer fibrous sheath
- end piece - lost all accessory components except for axoneme
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Head