Spermatogenesis is defined as which of the following?

Spermatogenesis is defined as which of the following?

• A. Process by which ova are produced by the female.
• B. Process by which sperm are produced by the male.
• C. Destruction of placental tissues.
• D. Formation of eggs in the ovaries.

Answer: (B)

Spermatogenesis is the production of male gametes, sperm, in the testes. It begins in the seminiferous tubules where germ cells divide by mitosis, then enter meiosis to form haploid spermatozoa. Primary spermatocytes undergo meiosis I to become secondary spermatocytes, which later complete meiosis II to yield spermatids; these cells then undergo spermiogenesis to become mature, motile sperm capable of fertilization. This process starts at puberty and continues throughout reproductive life, regulated by hormones such as FSH and testosterone, with Sertoli cells supporting and nourishing the developing germ cells. The other descriptions refer to different processes: production of ova (eggs) by the female, and formation of eggs in the ovaries, which are aspects of oogenesis rather than spermatogenesis; and destruction of placental tissues, which is unrelated to germ cell development.

Spermatogenesis is the production of male gametes, sperm, in the testes. It begins in the seminiferous tubules where germ cells divide by mitosis, then enter meiosis to form haploid spermatozoa. Primary spermatocytes undergo meiosis I to become secondary spermatocytes, which later complete meiosis II to yield spermatids; these cells then undergo spermiogenesis to become mature, motile sperm capable of fertilization. This process starts at puberty and continues throughout reproductive life, regulated by hormones such as FSH and testosterone, with Sertoli cells supporting and nourishing the developing germ cells.

The other descriptions refer to different processes: production of ova (eggs) by the female, and formation of eggs in the ovaries, which are aspects of oogenesis rather than spermatogenesis; and destruction of placental tissues, which is unrelated to germ cell development.