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What are the three structures of sperm?

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What are the three structures of sperm?

A sperm has three main parts:

  • The head of the sperm contains the nucleus. The nucleus holds the DNA of the cell.
  • The midpiece of the sperm is packed with mitochondria. Mitochondria are organelles in cells that produce energy.
  • The tail of the sperm moves like a propeller, around and around.

What is the structure or shape of sperm cell?

As already mentioned, a normal sperm head has a smooth and oval shape. The head section also resembles an egg due to its broad base and tapering apex. The head is the most important part of the cell given that it contains the nucleus (genetic material with 23 chromosomes) required to form a new organism.

What are the two parts of the structure of sperm?

The sperm unites with (fertilizes) an ovum (egg) of the female to produce a new offspring. Mature sperm have two distinguishable parts, a head and a tail. The head of the sperm varies in shape for each animal species.

What is the function of the tail of a sperm cell?

Their function is to provide the sperm will all the energy required by the flagellum to allow it to swim in the female reproductive tract. The tail, also known as flagellum, is a long structure which main function is to allow sperm motility by means of a slithering, snake-like movement.

Which is the longest part of the sperm?

The tail or flagellum of the sperm is the longest section and the terminal disc separates it from the midpiece. The tail, powered by ATP made by the mitochondria in the midpiece, propels the sperm using a back and forth lashing motion. The motion is created by the rhythmical sliding of the tubules in the axoneme.

What makes up the head of a sperm?

A sperm has four main sections: the head, midpiece, tail, and end piece (Figure 1). The head contains the nucleus and is surrounded by the acrosome (cap) and the plasma membrane. The acrosome contains the enzymes the sperm will need to penetrate the surface of the egg.

What is the function of the neck of a sperm cell?

The neck and the middle piece, as the name suggests, are the parts that can be found between the head and the tail. Their function is to connect both ends of the sperm cell. As one shall she in the diagram below, the neck contains millions of spirally arranged mitochondria.