The middle piece of a human sperm contains which structural component responsible for generating the metabolic energy (ATP) required for flagellar motility?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Numerous mitochondria arranged in a spiral sheath
- Step 1: A spermatozoon consists of a head, neck, middle piece, and tail.
- Step 2: The middle piece contains an axial filament surrounded by a spiral arrangement of numerous mitochondria (the mitochondrial sheath or nebenkern).
- Step 3: These mitochondria perform aerobic respiration, consuming fructose from seminal vesicle secretions to synthesize ATP to power flagellar beating.
Answer
Numerous mitochondria arranged in a spiral sheath (nebenkern).
Why not the others: Diploid storage nucleus is false (sperm head contains a haploid nucleus); Glycogen granules are absent (sperm rely on exogenous seminal fructose); Distal centriole gives rise to the axial filament, not the ATP generator.
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