Spermatogenesis and structural adaptations of the sperm for fertilisation.

Sperm is produced, transported and then combined with secretions from the
accessory glands to form semen. The semen is then transferred into the body of
the female where it meets the ovum.
Describe all the processes referred to in the statement above and explain THREE
structural adaptations of the sperm for fertilisation



Spermatogenesis
• Takes place under the influence of testosterone
• in the seminiferous tubules/testis
• Diploid cells/germinal epithelium
• undergo meiosis
• to form haploid sperm cells


Formation and transport of semen


• Sperm mature/are temporarily stored
• in the epididymis
• During ejaculation
• sperm move into the vas deferens
• As it passes the seminal vesicles
• prostate gland and
• Cowper’s glands
• fluids are added that provide nutrition,
• promote the movement of the sperm
• and neutralise the acids
• produced in the vagina
• The semen passes through the urethra
• of the penis
• into the vagina
• during copulation
• and swims up the Fallopian tube
• where it meets the ovum
Structural suitability of the sperm cell for fertilisation