Sperm Structure & Fertility Criteria — NEET Biology
✅ Asked in NEET 2025Let us examine the structure of a sperm. It is a microscopic structure composed of a head, neck, a middle piece and a tail. A plasma membrane envelops the whole body of sperm. The sperm head contains an elongated haploid nucleus, the anterior portion of which is covered by a cap-like structure, acrosome. The acrosome is filled with enzymes that help fertilisation of the ovum. The middle piece possesses numerous mitochondria, which produce energy for the movement of tail that facilitate sperm motility essential for fertilisation. The human male ejaculates about 200 to 300 million sperms during a coitus of which, for normal fertility, at least 60 per cent sperms must have normal shape and size and at least 40 per cent of them must show vigorous motility.
NTA tests knowledge of sperm anatomy and the specific fertility criteria for normal conception. The head contains the nucleus and acrosome (filled with enzymes for ovum penetration), while mitochondria in the middle piece generate ATP for tail movement and motility. Students often confuse which organelle does what or forget the exact fertility percentages: at least 60% normal morphology AND 40% vigorous motility. The key trap is mixing up these numbers or not knowing that the acrosome is enzyme-filled (not just a protective cap). Remember: acrosome = enzymes for fertilization, mitochondria = energy for movement, and both criteria (shape AND motility) must be met for fertility.
Match List-I with List-II: List-I (Part) A. Head B. Middle piece C. Acrosome D. Tail List-II (Function) I. Enzymes II. Sperm motility III. Energy IV. Genetic material
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