AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -In higher vertebrates, especially mammals, sperm are produced in the testes. The sperm unites with (fertilizes) an ovum (egg) of the female to produce a new offspring. Mature sperm have two distinguishable parts, a head and a tail. The head of the sperm varies in shape for each animal species.

Detailed explanation-2: -In the human reproductive process, two kinds of sex cells, or gametes (GAH-meetz), are involved. The male gamete, or sperm, and the female gamete, the egg or ovum, meet in the female’s reproductive system. When sperm fertilizes (meets) an egg, this fertilized egg is called a zygote (ZYE-goat).

Detailed explanation-3: -Diversity of Animal Reproductive Anatomy In animals ranging from insects to humans, males produce sperm in testes, and sperm are stored in the epididymis until ejaculation. Sperm are small, mobile, low-cost cells that occur in high numbers. Females produce an ovum or egg that matures in the ovary.

Detailed explanation-4: -But there is an astonishing amount of diversity in the size, shape and number of sperm produced by male animals. In fact, despite performing the very same function in all animal species (fertilising eggs), sperm are the most diverse cells found among animals.

Detailed explanation-5: -There are two types of sperm cells: X sperm and Y sperm. X sperm: X sperm on combining with the X chromosome of the female produces a zygote with XX chromosomes.