Spermatogenesis: Spermatogonia to Spermatozoa Step by Step
Biology · Human Reproduction · NEET
Spermatogenesis is the making of sperms from spermatogonia inside the seminiferous tubules of the testis, starting at puberty. The order is: spermatogonia (46, diploid) multiply by mitosis, some become primary spermatocytes that do meiosis I to give two secondary spermatocytes (23, haploid), each does meiosis II to give four spermatids, and spermatids change into sperms by spermiogenesis. Memory hook: "GO-nia POW meiosis" - sperMATOGONIA to PRIMARY to secondary to spermaTID to sperm (Go, Pri, Sec, Tid, Sperm).
Spermatogenesis flow: spermatogonium (mitosis) to primary spermatocyte (meiosis I) to secondary spermatocyte (meiosis II) to spermatid to sperm (spermiogenesis), with ploidy shown at each stage.
Your doubts, answered
What is the correct order of steps in spermatogenesis?
Spermatogonium (46, diploid) to primary spermatocyte (46, diploid) to secondary spermatocyte (23, haploid) to spermatid (23, haploid) to spermatozoon (sperm). The last change, spermatid becoming sperm, is called spermiogenesis. NEET loves this exact order in match and sequence questions.
Do spermatogonia divide by mitosis or meiosis?
Spermatogonia multiply by mitosis and increase in number. This is a common NEET trap: spermatogonia do NOT always do meiosis. Only some spermatogonia become primary spermatocytes, and the primary spermatocyte is the cell that starts meiosis (meiosis I).
How many sperms are formed from one primary spermatocyte?
Four. One primary spermatocyte does meiosis I to give two secondary spermatocytes, and each secondary spermatocyte does meiosis II to give two spermatids, so four spermatids form, and each becomes one sperm. This is unlike oogenesis, where one primary oocyte makes only one ovum.
Which cells in spermatogenesis are haploid?
Secondary spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa (sperms) are haploid, each with 23 chromosomes. Spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes are diploid with 46 chromosomes. Ploidy drops to haploid only after meiosis I is complete (at the secondary spermatocyte stage).
Is spermiogenesis the same as spermatogenesis?
No. Spermatogenesis is the whole process from spermatogonia to sperms. Spermiogenesis is only the last part, where a round spermatid is shaped into a swimming spermatozoon. Do not confuse spermiogenesis with spermiation, which is the release of sperms from the seminiferous tubules.
Where does spermatogenesis take place?
Inside the seminiferous tubules of the testis. Sertoli cells lining the tubules give nutrition to the germ cells, while Leydig cells outside the tubules (in the interstitial spaces) make androgens that drive spermatogenesis.
⚠️ The NEET trap ✗ Spermatogonia always divide by meiosis, and primary spermatocytes divide by mitosis to give secondary spermatocytes. ✓ Spermatogonia multiply by MITOSIS. The PRIMARY spermatocyte does meiosis I to give two haploid secondary spermatocytes, which do meiosis II to give haploid spermatids; spermatids become sperm by spermiogenesis (not mitosis). 🧠 NEET 2026 tested exactly this: 'C and E only' was correct because 'spermatogonia always undergo meiosis' and 'spermatids produce spermatozoa through mitosis' are both FALSE. Tie each cell to its division: gonia = mitosis, primary = meiosis I, secondary = meiosis II, spermatid = spermiogenesis (no division).
Real NEET questions
2026
Spermatogonia undergo a series of cell divisions to produce sperms. Select the correct statements: A. Spermatogonia always undergo meiotic cell division. B. Primary spermatocytes divide mitotically to produce secondary spermatocytes. C. Secondary spermatocytes, through their second meiotic division, produce haploid spermatids. D. Spermatids produce spermatozoa through mitosis. E. Spermatids transform into spermatozoa by spermiogenesis.
A · A and E only
B · C and E only ✓
C · A, C and E only
D · B, C and D only
Solution: C and E only. Spermatogonia multiply by MITOSIS (not always meiosis), so A is false. Primary spermatocytes divide by MEIOSIS I, not mitosis, so B is false. C is true: secondary spermatocytes do meiosis II to give haploid spermatids. D is false: spermatids do not divide, they transform by spermiogenesis. E is true. Here option B is the label for 'C and E only'.
2022
Which of the following statements are true for spermatogenesis but do NOT hold true for oogenesis? (a) It results in the formation of haploid gametes (b) Differentiation of gamete occurs after the completion of meiosis (c) Meiosis occurs continuously in a mitotically dividing stem cell population (d) It is controlled by LH and FSH (e) It is initiated at puberty
A · (c) and (e) only ✓
B · (b) and (c) only
C · (b), (d) and (e) only
D · (b), (c) and (e) only
Solution: (c) and (e) only. Points (a) haploid gametes and (d) LH/FSH control are true for both processes. Spermatogonia keep multiplying by mitosis all life so meiosis runs continuously in a dividing stem-cell pool (c is sperm-only), and spermatogenesis begins at puberty while oogenesis begins in the foetus (e is sperm-only for its start at puberty). So only (c) and (e) separate spermatogenesis from oogenesis.
2024
Identify the correct option with respect to spermatogenesis (hormone, cell acted on, cell type, and process in a hormonal-regulation flowchart).
A · ICSH, Interstitial cells, Leydig cells, spermatogenesis
B · FSH, Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, spermatogenesis
C · ICSH, Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, spermatogenesis
D · FSH, Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, spermatogenesis ✓
Solution: FSH, Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, spermatogenesis. Per NCERT, LH acts on Leydig cells to make androgens that drive spermatogenesis, while FSH acts on Sertoli cells. Matching the flowchart labels gives option D as the correct set.
Solved Human Reproduction NEET PYQs
Try the real previous-year questions from this chapter — each with the answer and a full solution.
It is the step-by-step process by which immature male germ cells (spermatogonia) turn into mature sperms inside the seminiferous tubules of the testis. It starts at puberty and involves mitosis, then meiosis, then shaping into sperm.
How many chromosomes does a spermatid have?
A spermatid has 23 chromosomes (haploid). Spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes have 46 (diploid); the number halves to 23 after meiosis I, at the secondary spermatocyte stage.
What is the difference between spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis?
Spermatogenesis is the whole process from spermatogonia to sperms. Spermiogenesis is only the final step where a spermatid is transformed into a spermatozoon. Spermiation is a separate step: the release of formed sperms from the seminiferous tubules.
Which hormones control spermatogenesis?
GnRH from the hypothalamus triggers the pituitary to release LH and FSH. LH acts on Leydig cells to make androgens (which drive spermatogenesis), and FSH acts on Sertoli cells. Inhibin from Sertoli cells suppresses FSH by feedback.
Is meiosis involved in spermatogenesis?
Yes. The primary spermatocyte does meiosis I (reduction division) to form two secondary spermatocytes, and each does meiosis II to form spermatids. Spermatogonia themselves divide only by mitosis.
