Sperm and Egg Cells

What do sperm carry and why?

Enzymes in their heads to digest the egg cell membrane

What does the egg cell contain?

Huge food reserves to feed the embryo

What are the characteristics of sperm?

Long tail and streamlined cell to help it swim to the egg

What does the mitochondria in the sperm do?

Provides the energy needed

What are they specialised for?

Reproduction

What happens when the sperm fuses with the egg?

The egg's membrane instantly changes its structure to stop any more sperm getting in

What does this ensure?

The offspring ends up with the right amount of DNA

What is the main function of an egg cell?

To carry female DNA and to nourish the developing embryo in early stages

What is the function of sperm?

To get the male DNA to the female DNA