Which one of the following sperm structures is responsible for the production of energy?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Middle piece
A sperm has a head, a neck, a middle piece and a tail.
(1) Acrosome — Incorrect. The acrosome is a cap on the head. It holds enzymes that help the sperm to enter the ovum.
(2) Neck — Incorrect. The neck joins the head to the middle piece. It is not the energy store.
(3) Middle piece — Correct. It has numerous mitochondria. Mitochondria release the energy that the tail needs to move the sperm.
(4) Tail — Incorrect. The tail uses the energy to swim. It does not produce it.
NCERT Extract:
Gametogenesis – “… 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.”