The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
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The sperm cell, or spermatozoon, is the male sex cell. Its nucleus contains the chromosomes, which bear the hereditary material of the male parent.
The sperm cell (spermatozoon) is smaller than the female sex cell (the ovum). The sperm cell has a tail-like flagellum, which gives it a shape like a tadpole and allows for motility (movement). Beginning at puberty, millions of microscopic spermatozoa are produced in the testes. It takes 46 days for the testes to produce a sperm cell, but millions are produced simultaneously. Sperm are stored in the semen, a milky fluid in the seminal vesicles and the vas deferens. During ejaculation, semen is released through the urethra, a tube that runs through the penis. If ejaculation takes place during sexual intercourse, sperm can travel through the female uterus and into the fallopian tubes. If an egg is present in either of the fallopian tubes, a single sperm can fertilize it and pregnancy will result. Half of the chromosomes in the resulting zygote (fertilized egg) come from the ovum and half from the sperm.
Avraham, Regina. The Reproductive System. New York: Chelsea House, 1991.