Where does spermatogenesis occur? Describe the process of sperm production. Describe the structure of the sperm.
Spermatogenesis occurs in the germinal epithelium which lines the seminiferous tubules in the testes. Epithelium cells or primary spermatocytes undergo two meiotic divisions producing four haploid cells of equal but minute size in comparison to the ovum, which conserves the original size of the primary oocyte through both meiotic divisions. During differentiation these haploid cells or spermatids become spermatozoa or sperm cells. Each sperm has a small head containing mainly nuclear materials, a long powerful flagellum, and, in between, a mid-section packed with mitochondria that produce the ATP necessary to keep the flagellum active.
