Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Biology

Chapter

Human Reproduction

Question:

What does middle piece of mammalian sperm possess?

Options:

Enzymes

Mitochondria

Nucleus and mitochondria

None of these

Correct Answer:

Mitochondria

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (2)- Mitochondria

Sperm is a microscopic structure composed of a head, neck, a middle piece and a tail. A plasma membrane envelops the whole body of sperm. The sperm head contains an elongated haploid nucleus, the anterior portion of which is covered by a cap-like structure, acrosome. The acrosome is filled with enzymes that help fertilisation of the ovum. The middle piece possesses numerous mitochondria, which produce energy for the movement of tail that facilitate sperm motility essential for fertilisation. The human male ejaculates about 200 to 300 million sperms during a coitus of which, for normal fertility, at least 60 per cent sperms must have normal shape and size and at least 40 per cent of them must show vigorous motility.