What does mitochondria look like in an animal cell?
What does mitochondria look like in an animal cell?
Mitochondria are small membrane-bound organelles that are usually about 1 – 10 microns in length. They can be spherical or rod-shaped. The mitochondrion is enclosed by two membranes that separate it from the cytosol and the rest of the cell components. The figure shows a cut-out of an animal mitochondrion.
Where is the mitochondria in a sperm cell?
The head of the sperm contains the nucleus. The nucleus holds the DNA of the cell. The head also contains enzymes that help the sperm break through the cell membrane of an egg. The midpiece of the sperm is packed with mitochondria.
Why does an egg cell have lots of mitochondria?
The head contains the genetic material for fertilisation in a haploid nucleus. The acrosome in the head contains enzymes so that a sperm can penetrate an egg. The middle piece is packed with mitochondria to release energy needed to swim and fertilise the egg.
Why is it an advantage for sperm cells to have very little cytoplasm but lots of mitochondria?
Locomotion requires energy and this energy can be supplied by mitochondria which can carry out the process of respiration. The sperm’s midpiece contains many mitochondria so that a supply of energy is available for the sperm to perform its function of traveling to and later fertilizing the egg.
Why is a sperm cell so small?
Sperm are smaller than most cells in the body; in fact, the volume of a sperm cell is 85,000 times less than that of the female gamete. The head of the sperm contains the extremely compact nucleus with very little cytoplasm. These qualities contribute to the overall small size of the sperm (the head is only 5 μm long).
Why do muscle and sperm cells have lots of mitochondria?
Sperm cells and muscle cells need lots of energy. Mitochondria are called the power plants of the cell, as these organelles are where most of the cell’s energy is produced. Cells that need lots of energy have lots of mitochondria.
Do muscle cells have lots of mitochondria?
As muscle cells have a high demand for energy (due to their function), they have a large number of mitochondria in order to meet their energy needs. Muscle cells are assiciated with a large number of mitochondria as they require more ATP (energy) to function than other cells.
What Specialised cells have lots of mitochondria?
Nerve cell They contain many well-developed mitochondria to provide the energy for muscle contraction.