 | Term | Definition |
| |
Spermatogenesis |
Process by which testes produce sperm; takes 65-75 days in humans and begins at puberty and ends at death |
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Meiosis |
A type of cell division during which the chromosome number is cut in half; 23 rather than 46 |
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Haploid (n) |
Half the number of chromosomes |
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Diploid (2n) |
Normal number of chromosomes body cells |
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Cell division |
When cells in the seminiferous tubules are in various stages of mitosis |
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Spermatogonia |
These cells are in direct contact with the basement membrane, which surrounds each of the tubules; have the normal chromosome number 46 (2n); immature cells constantly reproduce by mitosis until puberty; at puberty, spermatogenesis begins in response to testosterone |
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Type A cells |
Stays at the basement membrane and continue to divide |
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Type B cells |
Move toward the lumen of the tubule and divide to form primary spermatocytes, secondary spermatocytes, and spermatids |
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Primary spermatocytes |
Go through meiosis I, the first part of meisosis to produce secondary spermatocytes |
| |
Secondary spermatocytes |
Haploid; have 1/2 the # of chromosomes; go through meiosis II to produce spermatids |
| |
Spermatids |
The four hapliod cells that result from meiosis II, prior to development into sperm |
| |
Spermiogenesis |
Process where spermatid becomes a motile sperm cell |
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