Name: L. Austin
Status: Student
Age: 16
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: December 2004
Question:
Is sperm production in human males asexual or sexual?
Replies:
The terms sexual and asexual do not apply to the process of spermatogenesis in
humans. This process occurrs by meiosis, which is the result of two cell
divisions
accompanied by only one suplication of chromosomes which effectively
halves the
number of chromosomes. These haploid sperm cells combine with haploid ova
resulting in sexual reproduction. Sexual means reproduction involving the
fusion
of haploid cells from two different parents. Asexual reproduction occurrs
primarily
in single-cell organisms.
Ron Baker, Ph.D
You need to be more specific in your question. If you are asking, are sperm
produced by mitosis or meiosis?, the answer is meiosis. This is a type of
nuclear division where the cells created have half the number of chromosomes
so half the genetic information is passed on to the offspring. This
prevents
doubling of the chromosome number with each generation. Sperm are created
in the male to provide his half of the genetic material during sexual
reproduction-where the sperm and egg unite to form one cell and
each contribute half
of the genetic information.
You may also be wondering where the cells come from that begin developing
into sperm. Those are actually produced by mitosis of precursor cells. In
males these cells are called spermatogonia. They are kind of like stem
cells for
sperm. In females these are called oogonia. These cells have to be there
because sperm and eggs themselves don't divide to produce more sperm or
eggs
and we also know that the sperm and eggs (if they aren't fertilized) are
eventually going to leave the body.
If that isn't what you were asking, you need to think about it and ask a
more specific question.
vanhoeck
The production of sperm in humans occurs by meiosis, a type of cell
division found in sexual life cycles. Thus, sperm production is part of
a sexual life cycle.
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