Male Gamete Formation

Question 1

Outline the steps of male gamete formation

Answer 1

Spermatogonia divide by mitosis to form primary spermatocytes
Primary spermatocytes undergo meiosis 1 to form secondary spermatocytes
Secondary spermatocytes undergo meiosis 2 to form spermatids

Question 2

What is meant by spermatocytogenesis?

Answer 2

Spermatogonia to secondary spermatocytes

Question 3

Are spermatogonia diploid or haploid?

Answer 3

Diploid

Question 4

Are primary spermatocytes diploid or haploid?

Answer 4

Diploid

Question 5

Are secondary spermatocytes diploid or haploid?

Answer 5

Haploid

Question 6

Are spermatids diploid or haploid?

Answer 6

Haploid

Question 7

What is meant by spermatidogenesis?

Answer 7

Secondary spermatocytes to spermatids by meiosis 2

Question 8

Spermatocytogenesis is under control by which hormone?

Answer 8

FSH

Question 9

How long does it take to complete one cycle of spermatogenesis?

Answer 9

Around 70 days

Question 10

At what interval do new waves of mitotic divisions of spermatogonia occur?

Answer 10

Every 16 days

Question 11

What is meant by spermiogenesis?

Answer 11

Maturation of spermatids under the influence of testosterone

Golgi becomes the acrosome
Excessive cytoplasm is removed as residual bodies
DNA becomes highly condensed

Question 12

How long does it take for the passage of sperm through the epididymis?

Answer 12

8-14 days

Question 13

What changes to spermatozoa occur in the female reproductive tract?

Answer 13

Capacitation - removal of cell surface glycoprotein, initiates whiplash tail movements

Acrosome reaction: allows sperm to penetrate ZP