16.4.5

Human Gametes - Egg vs. Sperm

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Egg and Sperm Cells

There are some key differences between human sperm and egg cells:

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Number

  • Sperm are produced constantly and are stored in the testes in the millions.
  • Much fewer egg cells are made and females are born with a limited number.
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Size

  • Egg cells are the largest human cells, but sperm cells are the smallest of any human cell.
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Structure

  • Egg cells are round but sperm cells are made of sections (head, middle and tail) and are tadpole-shaped.
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Motility

  • Sperm cells have tails and can move over large distances relative to their size.
  • Egg cells cannot move but are wafted through the oviducts.

Jump to other topics

1Classification of Living Organisms

2Organisation of the Organism

3Movement Into & Out of Cells

4Biological Molecules

5Enzymes

6Plant Nutrition

7Human Nutrition

8Transport in Plants

9Transport in Animals

10Diseases & Immunity

11Gas Exchange in Humans

12Respiration

13Excretion in Humans

14Coordination & Response

15Drugs

16Reproduction

17Inheritance

18Variation & Selection

19Organisms & Their Environment

20Human Influence on Ecosystems

21Biotechnology & Genetic Modification

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