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Explain Sperm

Explain the term Sperm. Also describes its structures with the help of diagram.

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The sperm cell is the smallest of all human cells – to give you an idea of how small they are – there are 60 to 90 million (yes, million) sperm in a single millilitre of what exits the man’s body as semen.  If this number falls to below 30 million the man is said to have a low sperm count – if it falls to 10 million or lower the man is said to be infertile.  A man produces over 100 million sperm cells each day. The sperm’s average length is about 0.05 mm and consists of three main parts:  the head, the midpiece or body and the tail.

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The tip of the head has a cap called an ACROSOME which contains digestive enzymes.  After the sperm has entered the vagina of the woman and has travelled the designated path, the digestive enzymes will eat away the covering of the egg allowing the sperm to fertilize the egg.  At any one time there is a multitude of sperm “attacking” the egg trying to be the first one to eat through the protective layer.  But what happens when they get through?  More to come later!  
 
The rest of the head of the sperm contains the nucleus and the 23 chromosomes needed to connect with the egg to form a human fetus. The body of the sperm contains the mitochondria which produce the ATP which the sperm needs for energy. There is a lot of movement in the tiny sperm and they need a lot of energy! The tail of the sperm whips like a flagella and produces the swimming action propelling the sperm forward on its short but important journey.

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