Question

Do sperms have flagella or cilia?

Answer 1

Flagella: In order to enable mobility, certain plant and animal sperm cells as well as a variety of microbes have hair-like appendages called flagellums.

Cilia: A short, tiny structure that vibrates like a hair and is frequently present on the surface of some cells; it either causes fluid currents or, in some protozoans and other small creatures, it serves as a source of propulsion.

Flagella or cilia in sperms:

1. The Head contains acrosome apically, which contains enzymes that facilitate the entry of sperm into the ovum. It is followed by an elongated nucleus (haploid)
2. The middle piece has multiple mitochondria, that provide energy for the movement of sperms
3. The tail is a flagellum that protrudes out of the cell body and is responsible for the vigorous motility of sperms. The tail helps sperms in swimming so that they can reach towards the ovum.
4. The electron microscope study of flagellum shows that they are covered with plasma membrane.
5. Their core is called axoneme, possesses a number of microtubules running parallel to the long axis.
6. Axoneme usually has nine pairs of doublets of radially arranged peripheral tubules, and a pair of centrally located microtubules.
7. Such an arrangement of axonemal microtubules is referred to as the 9+2 array.
8. Sperms locomotes with the help of the flagellum, and get energy from mitochondria.

Final answer: Sperms have flagellum for their locomotion.