The sperm and the egg are the smallest cells that embark on the journey of life. Despite their small size, these two cells are crucial to the development of new life. Although both are necessary for conception, their functions and structures are very different.
The sperm cell is streamlined and made to move. To get to the egg and fertilize it is its main goal. However, after fertilization, the egg is much bigger and contains a wealth of nutrients to support the early stages of development.
Gaining knowledge about the distinctions between sperm and egg cells allows us to better appreciate the intricate process of reproduction. The peculiar qualities of every cell enable the miracle of life.
| Aspect | Sperm | Egg |
| Size | Small, microscopic | Larger, visible to the naked eye |
| Shape | Streamlined, with a head and tail for movement | Round and stationary |
| Number Produced | Millions per day | One per month |
| Function | Delivers DNA to the egg | Houses DNA and supports early development |
| Movement | Moves actively using its tail | Does not move, waits for sperm |
Structure of spermatozoa
The Dutch scientist Antonie van Leeuwenhoek wrote the first scientific account of the male reproductive cell’s anatomy. When he completed this in 1677, he included drawings in addition to his description of the essential components of the male reproductive cell. Prior to Leeuwenhoek’s discovery, scientists were unaware of the mechanism underlying fertilization. However, it became evident that spermatozoa, or male reproductive cells, are involved in the process of conception.
It’s interesting that spermatozoa were referred to as "seed animals" for a considerable amount of time. Spermatozoa did not acquire their common name until the 1800s.
Every single cell in the human body is endowed with several unique properties and functions. The sperm’s primary function is to enter the fallopian tube of the female, complete fertilization, and transfer its genetic material.
The unique genetic code is found in the chromosomes that are unique to each cell. Every chromosome contains information about a person’s future characteristics. Therefore, certain traits, like eye color or hair color, are determined by genes that are arranged in a specific order on chromosomes.
Male reproductive cells are substantially smaller than female reproductive cells. The length of a spermatozoon has also been determined by modern scientists to be roughly 55 microns.
A spermatozoon and a tadpole share a lot of similarities in appearance. Its body consists of a middle section, a tail, and a head. These sections are all different lengths. The table below shows the sizes of the spermatozoon’s major components.
Anatomical area
Length (microns)
Many crucial changes take place during spermatozoon development: it must fully mature and become ready for fertilization. There is a noticeable reduction in sperm size during the maturation phase. Its cytoplasmic content falls and its nucleus gets denser, but all the required intracellular organelles are still present.
There is a narrowing in the sperm called the neck that divides its head from its middle portion. Spermatozoa are characterized by their ability to move because of a mobile tail located behind the middle portion. Reduced ability to conceive due to low-mobility and inactive male germ cells. The spermatozoon needs to be sufficiently mobile in order to enter the fallopian tube and meet the egg. In order to move around its own axis, the spermatozoon needs the assistance of its tail.
Researchers have also computed the mean velocity of motile spermatozoa. As a result, it falls between about 0.1 mm per second and 30 cm per hour. It is thought that active sperm can enter the fallopian tube within one to two hours of sexual activity.
Spermatozoa require prostatic juice to be active. It is generated by the prostate, a man’s secretory sexual organ.
Prostatic juice stimulated spermatozoa can move forward for additional fertilization during ejaculation.
Watch the next video for more information.
The structure of eggs
The intrauterine development stage is when the number of female follicles is counted. Eggs start to form in a young girl who is still developing in her mother’s womb. They number between one and 1.5 million at birth.
There are some similarities between male and female germ cells. Consequently, just like spermatozoa, eggs are required for fertilization. There is a nucleus inside the female reproductive cell, and just like in the sperm head, it contains a specific set of chromosomes that carry vital genetic information.
There is an outer shell around the egg. It is composed of unique proteins. At the time of fertilization, only one sperm can pass through the egg’s outer shell due to its unique structure.
Because of the numerous microscopic villi covering its exterior, the egg’s outer shell is also known as the radiant crown. They are essential to the small cell’s protection.
The maturation of the female reproductive cell is a crucial characteristic. A woman’s body matures one (rarely two) egg cells during each menstrual cycle. The female reproductive cell undergoes multiple successive phases of maturation.
Over several days during the menstrual cycle, female eggs develop. The developed egg exits the follicle and enters the fallopian tube during ovulation. It dies if the meeting with sperm does not take place. Pregnancy does not occur in this instance.
- Menstruation
- Ovulation
- High probability of conception
14 days prior to the beginning of your menstrual cycle, or on the 14th day of a 28-day cycle, is when ovulation takes place. Because average values frequently deviate from one another, the computation is imprecise.
In addition to using the calendar method, you can check cervical mucus, measure your basal temperature, use special tests or mini-microscopes, and test for progesterone, estrogens, LH, and FSH.
Folliculometry (ultrasound) can undoubtedly be used to determine the day of ovulation.
- Losos, Jonathan B.; Raven, Peter H.; Johnson, George B.; Singer, Susan R. Biology. New York: McGraw-Hill. pp. 1207-1209.
- Campbell N. A., Reece J. B., Urry L. A. e. a. Biology. 9th ed. — Benjamin Cummings, 2011. — p. 1263
- Tkachenko B. I., Brin V. B., Zakharov Yu. M., Nedospasov V. O., Pyatin V. F. Human Physiology. Compendium / Ed. B. I. Tkachenko. — M.: GEOTAR-Media, 2009. — 496 p.
- https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Овуляция
Only during the reproductive period, when a woman can naturally become a mother, do eggs mature in the female body. The onset of the first menstrual cycle marks the beginning of the reproductive period, which concludes with the menopausal transition.
The quantity of eggs that the body produces naturally declines with age until about the age of 35, at which point the reserve and quality of cells begin to rapidly decline. Spending happens naturally. However, there have been instances of a sudden drop in the egg reserve in young people. Numerous environmental factors have an impact on this. Stress, concurrent gynecological diseases, and unhealthy habits are among the most frequent reasons why a woman’s egg production decreases. Reduced supply could result from pelvic organ surgeries, genetic predispositions, etc.
A woman may experience infertility if there are ongoing disruptions to the eggs’ maturation process in the ovaries.
The video below will teach you more about eggs.
The remarkable complexity of human reproduction is highlighted by the intricate design of sperm and eggs. Although both cells are necessary to create life, they have different structures and purposes, with each one being specifically designed to carry out a specific task during fertilization.
With the structure and energy necessary to reach and penetrate the egg, sperm are streamlined and mobile. The egg, on the other hand, is bigger, richer in nutrients, and prepared to sustain the first few moments of a new life.
Comprehending these distinctions highlights the marvels of human biology and the genesis of life, as well as the delicate balance and coordination needed for conception.
The two basic cells involved in human reproduction, sperm and eggs, are each specially shaped for their respective functions. Eggs are larger, stationary cells loaded with nutrients to support early development, while sperm are tiny, mobile cells intended to reach and fertilize the egg. Their primary distinctions are in size, mobility, and function, each of which is ideal for aiding in the genesis of new life.
