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Sperm [ Botany - Biology ]

Dictionary of botanic terminology - index of names

Synonyms:  Spermatozoon (Plural: Spermatozoa)  Male germ cell, Sperm cell.
Adjective: aaa 
Adverbbs: aaa 
     
  The male reproductive cell (or mature male gamete) capable of fertilizing a female's eggs.
 
 
     
[From Greek: sperm = semen and zoon = alive ]

A sperm cell, or spermatozoon (pl. spermatozoa), is a mature male sex cell (or male gamete) formed by mitosis: It is the smaller gamete in a heterogamous reproduction system, while the larger gamete is produced by the female.
It is a haploid cell that is capable of fertilising an ovum (egg cell) to form a zygote. A zygote can grow into an embryo and then in a new organism. Sperm cells contain half of the genetic material needed to create life. If sperm contacts an egg after intercourse, fertilization can occur.
The sperm supplies the paternal genetic material.
     

 


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