Sperm Diagram

The diagram of sperm cell shows the different parts of the cell and their functions. The sperm body parts consist of the head, middle body and tail. The diagram of sperm class 12 illustrates the structure and function of sperm cells, essential for understanding reproductive biology at the high school level.

The diagram of sperm with labelling is given below:

What is a Sperm Cell?

It is a reproductive cell/gamete found in the male human body. It is haploid in number i.e. it contains 23 chromosomes in number. It combines or fuses with the female gamete (ovum) to form the diploid zygote and this process is termed fertilization.

• The sperm is formed in the testis of males by the process of Spermatogenesis. It is formed in seminiferous tubules by the stimulation of testosterone.
• The sperm get matured and remain stored in the Epididymis attached to the testicles.

Also Read:Gametogenesis – Spermatogenesis and Oogenesis

Structure of Sperm Cells

The sperm diagram shows the structure of sperm cell in detail. The length of the sperm cell is in between 50-65 micrometers. It has a oval head with slender tail. The sperm diagram and parts are given below:

Head of Sperm

It is the front part of the sperm, it is surrounded by plasma membrane so that it can be separated from the rest of sperm cell at the time and it consists of:

Nucleus

• Contains genetic material (haploid) crucial for fertilization
• Genetic material fuses with female gamete to form a zygote (diploid), passing on parental genetic information

Acrosome

• Present at the tip of the head and function to penetrate the ovum/egg to fertilize it.
• It contains some hydrolytic enzymes which dissolve or break the ovum barrier to get penetrated in it.

Neck

• It provide mechanical support and flexibility to the sperm head
• Neck of sperm is the attachment point of the head and midpiece.
• It contains the centriole whose function is perform meiotic and mitotic divisions in sperm formation.

Midpiece of Sperm

It is the middle part of the sperm and on the upper side attached to the head and at the lower side it is attached to the tail of the sperm. It is cylindrical in shape measures about 7- 8 micrometers. It contains the mitochondria whose function to supply/provide energy to the sperm for its proper functioning and motility.

Note: As the midpiece of the sperm gets detached during the fertilization so the offspring mainly inherit the mother's nucleus.

Sperm Tail

It is attached to the middle piece from upper part, slender in shape. It provide motility to the sperm which is important for the fertilization. The tail posses a whip like movement which transport the sperm towards the ovum for fertilization.

Functions of Sperm Cells

The following are the functions of sperm cells:

• The main function of the sperm is to fertilize the ovum.
• It transfers the genetic information to the next generation or transfers heredity from parents to offspring.
• Its function is to maintain the reproductive cycle.

Also Read: Process of Fertilization in Human Being

Conclusion - Sperm Diagram

The diagram of sperm cells is a valuable tool for understanding the anatomy and physiology of the reproductive cells. The sperm diagram above shows the four main parts of a sperm cell: the head, neck, midpiece, and tail. The diagram of sperm class 8 and 9 can be used to teach students about the anatomy and physiology of these cells. It can also be used by researchers to study the effects of different factors on sperm cells, such as environmental toxins or drugs. 

Also Read:

• Testes – Anatomy and Functions
• Spermatogenesis
• Diagram of Male Reproductive System