Spermatozoon

A sperm cell, spermatozoon (pl. spermatozoa) (in Greek: sperma = semen and zoon = alive), or spermatozoan, is the haploid cell that is the male gamete. It is carried in fluid called semen, and is capable of fertilising an egg cell to form a zygote. A zygote can grow into a new organism, such as a human being.

Related Topics:
Greek - Haploid - Cell - Gamete - Semen - Fertilising - Egg cell - Zygote - Organism

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Sperm cells contain half of the genetic information needed to create life. Generally, the sex of the offspring is determined by the sperm cells, through the chromosomal pair "XX" (for a female) or "XY" (for a male). Sperm cells were first observed by Antoni van Leeuwenhoek in 1679.

Related Topics:
Genetic information - Sex - Chromosomal - Female - Male - Antoni van Leeuwenhoek - 1679

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