Sperm Flashcards
general term for male gamete
sperm
multiple fully formed male gametes
spermatozoa
one fully formed male gamete
spermatozoon
what are the 2 parts to the sperm
head
tail
what covers/surrounds the entirety of the sperm
plasma membrane
what are the 3 parts to the tail
midpiece
principal piece
end piece
what is the largest part of the sperm
principle piece
what is the function of the acrosome
contains enzymes required for fertilization
membrane bound lysosome
acrosome
function of the nucleus of sperm
where DNA is located
what is done to prevent DNA damage
- inert
- highly condensed
how does the DNA become condensed
histones are replaced by protamines
why do protamines cause DNA to compact more than histones
contain more sulfur
what membrane is outside of sperm and does not touch nucleus
outer acrosomal membrane
what membrane is inside sperm and touches nucleus
inner acrosomal membrane
what is the terminal end of acrosome
equatorial segment
what snaps into head of sperm
capitulum
where does capitulum come from
proximal centriole
provides tail flexibility
laminated columns
provides energy for tail movement
mitochondrial helix
where is the mitochondrial helix found
midpiece
what separates mid and principal piece
annulus
what is the sperm tail powered by
flagellum
what causes flagellar motion
dynein complex
how many dublets are there
9
how many central fibers are there for each dublet
2
