Question

The acrosome of sperm contains
A. Hydrolytic enzymes
B. DNA
C. Mitochondria
D. Fructose

Answer 1

Hint: Acrosome is a type of organelle that develops in the anterior half of the spermatozoa. It is a cup-shaped structure that is derived from the Golgi apparatus. It is a type of vesicle on the tip of the head of sperm. It contains an organelle that provides energy.

Complete answer: The human sperm was first observed by Hamm and Leeuwenhoek in 1677. The structure of a typical mammalian sperm is a flagellated microscopic structure composed of four parts namely the head, neck, middle piece, and the tail. The body of the sperm is covered with the plasma membrane. The head contains a haploid nucleus which becomes compact and later forms the major part of the sperm. The sperm’s head anterior portion is covered by a cap-like structure known as the acrosome that contains lytic enzymes. The acrosome of sperm produces lysins or hydrolytic enzymes known as hyaluronidase which dissolves the egg membrane for fertilization of an ovum. A spermatozoon contains two centrioles which are arranged one after the other behind the nucleus. The anterior centriole is known as proximal while the posterior one is known as distal centriole. The proximal centriole is required for the first cleavage during fertilization while the distal centriole converts into the basal body giving rise to an axial filament of sperm. In the middle piece, mitochondria are coiled around an axial filament known as a mitochondrial spiral. It provides energy for the movement of the sperm tail to carry out fertilization. The tail plays a vital role as it helps in the movement of sperm.
Hence, the correct option is A.

Note: Hyaluronidase and acrosin are digestive enzymes present in the acrosome of eutherian animals. It causes an acrosomal reaction that helps the sperm to enter into the egg’s membrane. A sperm fertilizes an egg or ovum and gives rise to a structure called the zygote.