Cambridge O Level Biology · Syllabus 5090 · Development of Organisms and Continuity of Life
Sperm Cell
What is Sperm Cell?
The male gamete in humans. It is small and produced in very large numbers, has a haploid nucleus, is motile by means of a flagellum, contains many mitochondria that release energy for movement, and carries an acrosome of enzymes that help it penetrate the coverings of the egg.
This definition is part of the Development of Organisms and Continuity of Life chapter in Cambridge O Level Biology.
Common mistakes with Sperm Cell
- “The pollen grain is a sperm cell.” Say instead The pollen grain contains the male nucleus. The grain is not itself the gamete, and it stays on the stigma while the nucleus travels down the tube.
- “A pollen grain is a sperm cell.” Why wrong The grain contains the male nucleus. The grain itself stays on the stigma; only the nucleus travels down the tube. Say instead The pollen grain contains a male nucleus, which passes down the pollen tube to the ovule.
Last reviewed Syllabus 2026-2028