The male germ cells undergoes _______ division to form sperms, while the sertoli cells provides _______ to the germ cells.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Meiotic and nutrition
The wall of each seminiferous tubule has two kinds of cells. The male germ cells (spermatogonia) divide and form sperms. The Sertoli cells support them.
(1) Mitotic and nutrition — Incorrect. Spermatogonia do divide by mitosis to increase in number. But the sperms themselves form after meiosis, which halves the chromosome number.
(2) Meiotic and lubrication — Incorrect. The first word is right. But lubrication is not the job of Sertoli cells. The bulbourethral glands help lubricate the penis.
(3) Meiotic and nutrition — Correct. Sperm formation needs meiotic divisions, and the Sertoli cells give nutrition to the germ cells.
(4) Mitotic and lubrication — Incorrect. Both words are wrong for this step.
NCERT Extract:
The Male Reproductive System – “… The male germ cells undergo meiotic divisions finally leading to sperm formation, while Sertoli cells provide nutrition to the germ cells. The regions outside the seminiferous tubules called interstitial spaces, contain small blood vessels and interstitial cells or Leydig cells (Figure 2.2).”
