What is the Difference Between Sperm and Egg?

Sperm and egg are the male and female gametes produced by vertebrates, respectively. They have several differences in terms of size, motility, and structure:

1. Size: Sperm is the smallest cell in the human body, while the egg is the largest cell in the human body.
2. Motility: Sperm is motile and moves with the help of its tail, while the egg is non-motile and does not have a tail.
3. Production: Sperm is produced in the testes, while eggs are produced in the ovaries.
4. Chromosomes: Sperm contains either X or Y chromosomes, while the egg contains only X chromosomes.
5. Number: Millions of sperm are released at a time, while a single egg is released at a time from each ovary.
6. Structure: The sperm is segmented into a head, neck, middle, and tail, while the egg has no such external segmentation.
7. Mitochondria and Energy: Sperm does not have any mitochondria and only contains a small amount of stored energy, while the egg is filled with both food and mitochondria, providing energy for the developing embryo.
8. Cell Production: One spermatogonium (the cell that produces sperm) produces four sperms, while one oogonium (the cell that produces eggs) produces only one ovum.

In summary, sperm and egg are quite different in terms of size, motility, structure, and function. The sperm is designed to fertilize the egg, while the egg provides nourishment and a suitable environment for the development of the embryo.

Comparative Table: Sperm vs Egg

Here is a table highlighting the differences between sperm and egg cells:

Sperm cells are the male reproductive cells produced in the testes, while egg cells, also known as ova, are the female reproductive cells produced in the ovaries. Sperm cells are small, straight, and active, with rigid nuclear material and storable. On the other hand, egg cells are large, round, and passive, with mobile cytoplasm and not storable. For conception to occur, an egg cell and many sperm cells are needed. When the cells find each other, they fuse, and the chromosomes come together, forming a zygote that begins to divide.