The Male Reproductive System - Sperm Flashcards
Are sperm produced by mitosis or meiosis?
They are produced by meiosis
Are sperm-producing cells diploid or haploid?
They are diploid
How many chromosomes do sperm-producing cells contain?
46
What happens to sperm producing cells to produce sperm?
They divide by meiosis
What are sperm cells also called?
Spermatozoa
What are spermatozoa?
Sperm cells
Are sperm cells haploid or diploid?
They are haploid
Why are sperm cells haploid?
As meiosis halves the number of chromosomes i.e. the 46 chromosomes from the diploid sperm producing cells is halved to 23 (haploid)
How many chromosomes do sperm cells contain?
They contain 23 chromosomes
What are the four structures that make up a sperm cell?
An acrosome
A nucleus
A midpiece
A tail
What is an acrosome?
An acrosome is the region of a sperm cell that contains enzymes that can digest the membrane of the egg
What is the region of a sperm cell that contains enzymes that can digest the membrane of the egg called?
The acrosome
What does the acrosome contain which allows it to digest the membrane of the egg?
It contains enzymes
Why does the acrosome contain enzymes?
As the enzymes present allow the acrosome to digest the membrane of the egg
What is found in the nucleus of a sperm cell?
23 chromosomes
What does the midpiece of a sperm cell contain?
Many mitochondria
What is the function of a sperm cell’s tail?
To allow the sperm to swim
When are sperm cells first produced in the testes?
At the onset of sexual maturity called puberty
What is puberty?
Puberty is the beginning of sexual maturity
At what age does puberty usually occur in males?
At age 12 or 13
When are sperm produced during a males lifetime?
They are continually produced throughout a male’s lifetime
What process begins usually at age 12 or 13 in Males?
Puberty occurs and sperm production begins
