16.4.3
Human Gametes - Sperm Cells
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Sperm Cell
Sperm cells are specialised (can perform a specific function). Sperm cells are specialised to fertilise egg cells. To do this, they need to travel long distances relatively to their size. They then break through to the egg cell and fertilise it (combine the sperm DNA with the egg DNA).

Head
- The ‘head’ contains the sperm cell’s nucleus. The nucleus carries one half of an organism’s genetic material.
- This combines with the egg cell's half of genetic material to fertilise the egg cell.

Acrosome
- The acrosome at the tip of the head contains an enzyme needed to penetrate (break into) an egg cell.

Middle section
- The middle section is filled with mitochondria to provide the sperm with the energy it needs to travel a long distance to reach the egg cell.

Flagellum
- The flagellum acts as a tail and is used for the cell’s motion. This allows sperm cells to travel towards the egg cell.
1Classification of Living Organisms
1.1Characteristics of Living Organisms
1.2Concept and Uses of Classification Systems
2Organisation of the Organism
2.1Cell Structure
3Movement Into & Out of Cells
3.2Osmosis
4Biological Molecules
5Enzymes
6Plant Nutrition
6.1Photosynthesis
6.1.1Photosynthesis6.1.2Photosynthesis - Plant Gas Exchange6.1.3Photosynthesis in Farming6.1.4Uses of Glucose6.1.5Ion Deficiency Conditions6.1.6Rate of Photosynthesis6.1.7Photosynthesis Experiments6.1.8Photosynthesis Equation6.1.9Photosynthesis - Calculations6.1.10Limiting Factors6.1.11Grade 9 - Photosynthesis Experiment6.1.12Exam-Style Questions - Photosynthesis
7Human Nutrition
7.2Digestive System
7.3Physical Digestion
7.4Chemical Digestion
7.5Absorption
8Transport in Plants
8.1Xylem & Phloem
8.2Water Uptake
8.3Transpiration
9Transport in Animals
9.1Circulatory Systems
9.2Heart
9.3Blood Vessels
10Diseases & Immunity
10.1Diseases & Immunity
11Gas Exchange in Humans
12Respiration
13Excretion in Humans
14Coordination & Response
14.1Coordination & Response
14.2Sense Organs
14.3Hormones
14.4Homeostasis
14.4.1Homeostasis14.4.2Regulating Internal Conditions14.4.3Control Systems14.4.4Negative Feedback14.4.5Thermoregulation14.4.6Thermoregulation - Hot and Cold14.4.7Thermoregulation - Skin14.4.8Thermoregulation - Sweating & Shivering14.4.9Thermoregulation - Hairs14.4.10Thermoregulation - Blood Vessels14.4.11Blood Glucose14.4.12Detecting Glucose14.4.13Type 1 Diabetes14.4.14End of Topic Test - Homeostasis & Hormones14.4.15Grade 9 - Hormonal Coordination
16Reproduction
16.1Asexual Reproduction
16.2Sexual Reproduction
16.3Sexual Reproduction in Plants
16.4Sexual Reproduction in Humans
16.5Sex Hormones in Humans
16.6Sexually Transmitted Infections
17Inheritance
17.1Chromosomes, Genes & Proteins
17.2Mitosis & Meiosis
17.3Monohybrid Inheritance
17.3.1Alleles17.3.2Phenotype17.3.3Sex Determination17.3.4Monohybrid Inheritance17.3.5Punnett Square17.3.6Blood Groups17.3.7Sex-linked Disorders17.3.8Cystic Fibrosis17.3.9Cystic Fibrosis - Punnett Square17.3.10Cystic Fibrosis - Pedigree Diagram17.3.11Test Crosses17.3.12End of Topic Test - Genes & Inheritance
18Variation & Selection
18.1Variation
18.2Adaptive Features
19Organisms & Their Environment
19.1Energy Flow
19.2Food Chains & Food Webs
19.3Nutrient Cycles
20Human Influence on Ecosystems
20.1Food Supply
20.2Habitat Destruction
20.3Pollution
21Biotechnology & Genetic Modification
21.1Biotechnology & Genetic Modification
Jump to other topics
1Classification of Living Organisms
1.1Characteristics of Living Organisms
1.2Concept and Uses of Classification Systems
2Organisation of the Organism
2.1Cell Structure
3Movement Into & Out of Cells
3.2Osmosis
4Biological Molecules
5Enzymes
6Plant Nutrition
6.1Photosynthesis
6.1.1Photosynthesis6.1.2Photosynthesis - Plant Gas Exchange6.1.3Photosynthesis in Farming6.1.4Uses of Glucose6.1.5Ion Deficiency Conditions6.1.6Rate of Photosynthesis6.1.7Photosynthesis Experiments6.1.8Photosynthesis Equation6.1.9Photosynthesis - Calculations6.1.10Limiting Factors6.1.11Grade 9 - Photosynthesis Experiment6.1.12Exam-Style Questions - Photosynthesis
7Human Nutrition
7.2Digestive System
7.3Physical Digestion
7.4Chemical Digestion
7.5Absorption
8Transport in Plants
8.1Xylem & Phloem
8.2Water Uptake
8.3Transpiration
9Transport in Animals
9.1Circulatory Systems
9.2Heart
9.3Blood Vessels
10Diseases & Immunity
10.1Diseases & Immunity
11Gas Exchange in Humans
12Respiration
13Excretion in Humans
14Coordination & Response
14.1Coordination & Response
14.2Sense Organs
14.3Hormones
14.4Homeostasis
14.4.1Homeostasis14.4.2Regulating Internal Conditions14.4.3Control Systems14.4.4Negative Feedback14.4.5Thermoregulation14.4.6Thermoregulation - Hot and Cold14.4.7Thermoregulation - Skin14.4.8Thermoregulation - Sweating & Shivering14.4.9Thermoregulation - Hairs14.4.10Thermoregulation - Blood Vessels14.4.11Blood Glucose14.4.12Detecting Glucose14.4.13Type 1 Diabetes14.4.14End of Topic Test - Homeostasis & Hormones14.4.15Grade 9 - Hormonal Coordination
16Reproduction
16.1Asexual Reproduction
16.2Sexual Reproduction
16.3Sexual Reproduction in Plants
16.4Sexual Reproduction in Humans
16.5Sex Hormones in Humans
16.6Sexually Transmitted Infections
17Inheritance
17.1Chromosomes, Genes & Proteins
17.2Mitosis & Meiosis
17.3Monohybrid Inheritance
17.3.1Alleles17.3.2Phenotype17.3.3Sex Determination17.3.4Monohybrid Inheritance17.3.5Punnett Square17.3.6Blood Groups17.3.7Sex-linked Disorders17.3.8Cystic Fibrosis17.3.9Cystic Fibrosis - Punnett Square17.3.10Cystic Fibrosis - Pedigree Diagram17.3.11Test Crosses17.3.12End of Topic Test - Genes & Inheritance
18Variation & Selection
18.1Variation
18.2Adaptive Features
19Organisms & Their Environment
19.1Energy Flow
19.2Food Chains & Food Webs
19.3Nutrient Cycles
20Human Influence on Ecosystems
20.1Food Supply
20.2Habitat Destruction
20.3Pollution
21Biotechnology & Genetic Modification
21.1Biotechnology & Genetic Modification
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