Spermatogenesis and Semen Anatomy Flashcards
where is spermatogenesis initiated
in the male testis at the start of puberty
what happens within sertoli cells
spermatogonia (former primordial germ cells) to sperm cell development
involves mitosis, meiosis, and cell differentiation
process takes 8 weeks
define speriogenesis
involves differentiation or processes required for spermatids to develop into spermatozoa (sperm cells)
progressively elongates
nucleus is condensed
flagella and acrosome structures develop
cytoplasm is shed
what is the apical ridge in the sperm cell head
indicator of sperm viability, absence indicates sperm death
what is the acrosome
sperm cell head
produces enzymes that facilitate sperm in penetration of the oocyte
what is the plasma membrane
sperm cell head
contains the small amount of cytoplasm remaining in the sperm
what is post-acrosomal region
sperm cell head
position where sperm attaches head to vitelline membrane of the oocyte during fertilization
what is capitulum
sperm cell tail
attachment site to the sperm head during differentiation
what is the mid piece
sperm cell tail
contains mitochondrial helix for energy production
what is inner double tubules
sperm cell tail
9 + 2 arrangement, which causes the tail to bend and allows for movement
what is outer coarse fibers
sperm cell tail
fibrous sheath that surrounds the tail
what are the 4 functions of characteristics of spermatozoa
1- only cell known to performs its function separate from the parent organism
2- can live independently of parent organism
3- capable of independent motility
4- mature sperm cellls are non-dividing
how do spermatozoa mature
sperm cells need to mature in the male repro tract before they are capable of fertilization
