Question

The mobility of mature sperm is controlled by the mitochondria located in the
A. Head
B. Middle piece
C. Tail
D. All of the above

Answer 1

Hint: The sperm is a haploid cell that consists of the male gamete. The sperm cell produced by the testis has a head, neck, middle piece, and a tail portion. The head consists of the haploid nucleus and the acrosome. The middle piece possesses multiple mitochondria which produce large amounts of ATP required to propel the tail portion and move through the birth canal into the fallopian tube to fertilize the egg.

Complete answer:
The sperm is the male reproductive cell, which possesses the haploid gamete which when fused with the ovum fertilized to form an embryo. The sperm is produced in the male reproductive organs of the organism and is always smaller when compared to the ovum. The sperm is a motile cell that has 4 regions., the head, the neck, the middle piece, and the tail. Each performing specific functions to aid in fertilization. The head of the sperm consists of the haploid nucleus and several small structures called the acrosome. The acrosome contains enzymes that enable the sperm to penetrate the ovum.

The neck is the portion that connects the head and the middle piece of the sperm. It also poses 2 centrioles which after fusion aid in embryo development. The middle piece of the sperm is a filamentous structure filled with large numbers of mitochondria which provide the ATP required for the sperm to travel from the cervix through the uterus and in the fallopian tube. The tail utilizes the energy produced to move its tail as a propeller-like motion which contributes to the mobility of the entire sperm.

Therefore, the correct option is B.

Note: The motility of the sperm plays a major role in the fertility of the organism. Low motile sperms will fail to reach the ovum and is a sign of infertility. The entire sperm cell is enveloped with a plasma membrane. Most of the substrate for the sperm to produce energy is obtained from the semen ejaculated along with the sperm during copulation. The semen contains nutrient-rich compounds that act as substrates for mitochondria.