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Leaving certificate biology
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Unit 1Ecology theory5 Topics|1 Quiz
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Nutrient recycling4 Topics|1 Quiz
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Ecological relationships and population dynamics2 Topics
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Human impact on the ecosystem2 Topics
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Study of a grassland ecosystem3 Topics
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Responses in the Flowering Plant4 Topics|1 Quiz
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Unit 3Sexual reproduction in the flowering plant1 Topic
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The human reproductive system3 Topics
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The menstrual cycle2 Topics
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Pregnancy2 Topics
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The circulatory system4 Topics
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Blood5 Topics
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The heart5 Topics
Lesson 8, Topic 2
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Sperm and male hormones
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What are sperm ?
- Sperm are produced in the testes meiosis and as a result they are haploid with only 23 chromosomes.
Sperm is a gamete (sex cell)
Sperm structure

Head
- Contains the nucleus with 23 chromosomes (human haploid number) and an acrosome – needed to penetrate the egg cell at fertilisation
Midpiece
- Contains many mitochondria that produce energy needed for movement of the sperm cell towards the egg cell
Tail
- Responsible for propelling the sperm cell towards the egg
The role of mitochondria in sperm
- Sperm cells need to swim long distances mitochondria produce energy through respiration to do this
Low sperm count
Causes:
Persistent smoking
Alcohol abuse
Lack of FSH
Use of anabolic steroids
Use of marijuana

Treatment:
- Stop taking : Alcohol , marijuana, steroids.
- FSH may be injected
- In vitro fertilisation
The male reproductive hormones
- Hormone: FSH
Site of production: Pituitary
Site of action: Testes
Functions: Stimulates production of sperm
- Hormone: LH
Site of production: Pituitary
Site of action: Testes
Functions: Stimulates production of testosterone
- Hormone: Testosterone
Site of production: Testes
Site of action: All around body
Functions: Responsible for secondary sexual characteristics and sperm production