Sperm Cells Flashcards
Where is sperm made?
Males make their sperm in the testes. The testes are held outside the body in a bag of skin called the scrotum. Their position helps to keep the sperm cells at the right temperature to develop properly.
What happens when sperm is released?
When sperm cells are released from the testes they travel up the sperm duct, where special fluids are added from glands. The fluids help to give the sperm cells energy. Together the sperm cells and the fluids are called semen. The semen flows through a tube running down the centre of the penis called the urethra. The urethra also carries wee from the bladder, but never at the same time as semen.
What is circumcision?
The head of the penis is sensitive and is protected by a covering skin (the foreskin). This is sometimes removed for religious reasons or because it is too tight. This is called circumcision.
What is menopause?
After puberty, a man will produce sperm for the rest of his life. The ovaries in women stop releasing eggs at about the age of 45-55. The time when this happens is called menopause.
What are the features of a sperm cell?
They are about 0.06mm long.
The tip of the head contains chemicals which attack the coat of the egg, helping the sperm to burrow inside.
Very little cytoplasm so that the cell can have a thin, streamlined shape.
The tail helps it to swim.
