Sperm Cells
Biology: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 1.1.16
Sperm Cell
Sperm cells are specialised (perform a specific function). Sperm cells are specialised to fertilise egg cells. To do this, they need to travel long distances relative to their size. They then break through to the egg cell and fertilise it.
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 is found at the tip of the head. It contains the digestive enzymes 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 (‘tail’) is used for the cell’s motion. This allows sperm cells to travel towards the egg cell.
Test yourself on Sperm Cells
Why does the middle section of a sperm cell contain many mitochondria?
What happens to a sperm's genetic material when it reaches an egg cell during fertilisation?
Why does the acrosome at the tip of a sperm cell's head contain digestive enzymes?
What would happen to a sperm cell if its flagellum stopped moving?
Why does a sperm cell's nucleus carry only half of an organism's genetic material?