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Difference Between Sperm and Ovum

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Understand the Role of Sperm and Ovum

Sperm and ovum are the male and female reproductive cells, also known as gametes. The sperm is a tiny, motile cell produced in the testes, while the ovum is a large, non-motile cell produced in the ovary. Sperm carry either X or Y chromosomes, determining the baby’s sex, while the ovum always carries an X chromosome. Both cells play a crucial role in fertilisation, leading to the formation of a new life. However, there are some key differences between sperm and ovum, which we will explore in this article.


Differences Between Sperm and Ovum

Feature

Sperm (Male Gamete)

Ovum (Female Gamete)

Definition

Male reproductive cell

Female reproductive cell

Motility

Motile (moves with a tail)

Non-motile

Size

The smallest cell in the body

Largest cell in the body

Mitochondria

Centrally located

Scattered in cytoplasm

Cytoplasm

Very little

Large amount

Chromosomes

X or Y chromosome

Only X chromosome

Centrioles

Present

Absent

Production

In the testes

In the ovary

Structure

Head, neck, middle, tail

No segmentation

Formation

One cell makes four sperms

One cell makes one ovum

Surrounded by

Plasma membrane

Egg envelopes


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FAQs on Difference Between Sperm and Ovum

1. What is the difference between the ovum and the sperm?

Sperm is the male reproductive cell, small and motile, while the ovum is the female reproductive cell, large and non-motile.

2. What is the difference between a female egg and a sperm?

The female egg is large, contains nutrients, and does not move. The sperm is small, moves using a tail, and carries either an X or Y chromosome.

3. What are some main differences between sperm and egg formation?

Sperms are made continuously in the testes, while eggs are formed before birth in the ovaries and mature one at a time after puberty.

4. What is female sperm called?

Females do not produce sperm. They produce eggs (ova), which are fertilised by male sperm.

5. What is the main difference between sperm and egg of human class 10?

The sperm is small, motile, and produced in large numbers, while the egg is large, non-motile, and produced one at a time.

6. Can an egg reject all sperm?

Yes, if the egg is not healthy or the sperm is defective, fertilisation may not happen.

7. How long can sperm survive?

Sperm can survive inside a female body for up to 5 days under the right conditions.

8. Can a female have eggs without a male?

Yes, females are born with all their eggs, but fertilisation requires sperm from a male.

9. Is sperm the baby or the egg?

Neither. A baby is formed when the sperm and egg combine during fertilisation.

10. Is a human egg visible to the eye?

Yes, the human egg is the largest cell in the body and can be seen without a microscope.

11. What is the biggest cell in our body?

The ovum (egg) is the largest cell in the human body.

12. How many eggs does a woman have?

A woman is born with about 1 to 2 million eggs, but only around 400-500 mature during her lifetime.