The male gamete
The spermatozoa are cells highly specialized that have decreased in size by eliminating much of the cytoplasm. They are much smaller than eggs and are highly mobile. The sperm are intended to travel to fertilize the female egg. Three parts are distinguished in the sperm:
- Tail. Formed by a flagellum with a protein structure that, when moving, allows the sperm to move.
- Neck. It contains numerous mitochondria that provide it with the energy to move.
- Head. It contains the nucleus and the acrosome
.
- The nucleus, with 23 chromosomes, has half the genetic makeup of the rest of the body's cells.
- The acrosome is a vesicle that contains enzymes that serve to break and cross the protective sheaths of the ovum.
By Simplified spermatozoon diagram.svg: Mariana Ruizderivative work:Miguelferig [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons
Humor: Homer Simpson sperm.