Theory question 101
Reproduction in Animals(a) (i) Draw and label the human sperm cell. (ii) State where the sperm cell is produced and where it is stored.
(b) Explain how the structure of the sperm cell enables it to function effectively in fertilization.
(c) Mention four advantages of sexual reproduction.
Show the model answer
(a)(i) Drawing of the sperm cell with oval head, short middle piece and long tail; labels: acrosome, nucleus, head, middle piece, mitochondria, centriole, tail (flagellum); title.
(ii) Produced in the seminiferous tubules of the testes; stored in the epididymis.
(b) The acrosome at the tip contains enzymes that dissolve the egg membrane so the sperm can enter; the middle piece has many mitochondria to supply energy for swimming; the long tail (flagellum) lashes to move the sperm towards the egg; the nucleus carries the father's genetic material (haploid) that fuses with the egg nucleus; the small, streamlined shape helps it swim.
(c) Any four: produces variation among offspring; new varieties/better adapted offspring; allows production of hybrids with desirable traits; offspring can survive in changing environments; leads to formation of new species (evolution); keeps the chromosome number constant through meiosis and fertilisation.
Link each part of the sperm to its job.