SPERM CELL ANATOMY

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A. Consists of 3 Parts 

1. Head (nucleus + acrosome + post-nuclear cap)

2. Capitulum

3.  Tail  [a.  Middle piece; b.  Principal piece;  c.  Terminal piece]

B.  Sperm Head

1.  Nucleus

a.  Contains genetic material

b.  Haploid chromosome number

c.  Whole purpose of cell

2. Acrosome

a.  Located at tip to head

b.  Essentially a bag of enzymes

c.  Used to help sperm enter the egg

3.  Apical Ridge

a.  Ridge formed at tip of sperm

4.  Perforatorium

a.  Located in apical ridge

b.  Large and hooked in rodent sperm

c.  Is not a battering ram

d.  True function unknown

5.  Post nuclear cap

a.  Located below acrosome and lateral to nucleus

6.  Plasma membrane

a.  Cell membrane that surrounds head

C. Capitulum

Attachment of the head to the tail

D.  Sperm Middle piece

1.  Mitochondria

a.  Provide energy to move axial filaments

2.  Annulus

a.  Junction of mid piece and principal piece

E.  Principal piece

1.  The largest part of the tail and provide motility to the sperm of middle piece