Sperm & Male Reproductive System Flashcards
What is sperm and example of?
Gametes
What happens during sexual reproduction?
The sperm cell’s nucleus joins with the eggs nucleus to fertilise the egg.
A sperm has a lot of mitochondria, what do they do?
The sperm has a lot of mitochondria because they release a lot of energy, helping it swim faster and for a longer period of time..
A sperm has an acrosome at its tip, what is it?
An acrosome contains chemicals which help the sperm break through the zona pellucida of the egg, allowing it to insert its nucleus into the egg.
What is the overall function of the male reproductive system?
It is to produce and ejaculate sperm.
What is the average amount of sperm released?
The average is approximately 250 million, leaving the penis at 30mph!
What is the journey the sperm has to take to enter the egg?
First, the sperm enters the uterus through the cervix (1% make it through). Next they must swim through the uterus to reach the oviduct (on,y 20 sperm make it). They may need to wait more than 5 days for the egg to be released.
What 6 important parts does a sperm include?
Cell membrane
Nucleus
Flagellum
Mitochondria
Cytoplasm
Acrosome
What are the most important parts of the male reproductive system?
Glands
Sperm duct
Urethra
Penis
Testis
What do the glands do?
The produce and release different hormones
What does the sperm duct do?
Moves sperm away from the storage place in its testicle
What does the urethra do?
The urethra allows urine to pass through the penis
What do the testis do?
Make sperm
What does the scrotum do?
It protects the testicles