Information AboutSperm |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT SPERM | |
| reproduction | |
| reproductive system | |
| male reproductive system | |
| germ cells | |
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The term sperm is derived from the s involved in Fertilization in Anisogamy and Oogamy . In these types of Sexual Reproduction , there is a marked difference in the size of the gametes with the smaller one being termed the "male" or sperm cell. A uniflagellar sperm cell that is motile is also referred to as ''' Spermatozoon ''', whereas a non-motile sperm cell is referred to as '''spermatium'''. Sperm cells cannot divide and have a limited life span, but they can fuse with Egg Cells during fertilization to form a Totipotent Zygote with the potential to develop into a new organism. The spermatozoa of animals are produced through Spermatogenesis inside the male Gonad s ( Testicle s) through Meiosis . Sperm cells in algal and many plant Gametophyte s are produced in male Gametangia ( Antheridia ) through Mitosis . In Flowering Plant s, sperm nuclei are produced inside Pollen . MOTILE SPERM CELLS Motile sperm cells typically move via Flagella and require water in order to swim toward the egg for fertilization. The uniflagellated sperm cells (with one flagellum) produced in most Animal s are referred to as Spermatozoa . Motile sperm are also produced by many Protist s and the Gametophyte s of Bryophyte s, Fern s and some Gymnosperm s such as Cycad s and Ginkgo . The sperm cells are the only flagellated cells in the life cycle of these plants. In many ferns and Lycophyte s, they are multi-flagellated (carrying more than one flagellum). In Nematode s, the sperm cells are Amoeboid and crawl, rather than swim, towards the egg cell. NON-MOTILE SPERM CELLS Non-motile sperm cells called spermatia lack flagella and therefore cannot swim. They are often confused with Conidia . Conidia are Spore s that germinate independently of fertilization, whereas spermatia are Gamete s that cannot give rise to a new organism by themselves, but instead are required for fertilization. Spermatia are produced in a Spermatangium . Because spermatia cannot swim, they depend on their environment to carry them to the egg cell. Some Red Alga e produce non-motile spermatia that are spread by water currents after their release. The spermatia of Rust Fungi are covered with a sticky substance. They are produced in flask-shaped structures containing Nectar , which attract Flies that transfer the spermatia to nearby Hyphae for fertilization in a mechanism similar to Insect Pollination in Flowering Plant s. SPERM NUCLEI In many Land Plant s, including most gymnosperms and all Angiosperm s, the male Gametophyte s ( Pollen Grains ) are the primary mode of Dispersal , for example via wind or insect Pollination , eliminating the need for water to bridge the gap between male and female. Each pollen grain contains a spermatogenous (generative) cell. Once the pollen lands on the Stigma of a receptive flower, it germinates and starts growing a Pollen Tube through the Carpel . Before the tube reaches the Ovule , the nucleus of the generative cell in the pollen grain divides and gives rise to two sperm nuclei which are then discharged through the tube into the Ovule for fertilization. In some Protist s, fertilization also involves sperm Nuclei , rather than cells, migrating toward the egg cell through a fertilization tube. Oomycete s form sperm nuclei in a Syncytical Antheridium surrounding the egg cells. The sperm nuclei reach the eggs through fertilization tubes, similar to the pollen tube mechanism in plants. SEE ALSO
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