Question

A cross section at the midpoint of the middle piece of a human sperm will show

• A. Centriole, mitochondria and 9 +2 arrangement of microtubules.
• B. Centriole and mitochondria
• C. Mitochondria and 9+2 arrangement of microtubules.
• D. 9+2 arrangement of microtubules only.

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Mitochondria and 9+2 arrangement of microtubules.

The middle piece is the tubular structure in which mitochondria are spirally arranged and it also has the beginning part of the flagellum. The sperm tail or the flagellum is based upon unique 9+2 arrangement. This arrangement refers to the nine peripheral, symmetrically arranged microtubule doublets.
Thus, the cross-section of the middle piece of sperm will show mitochondria and 9+2 arrangement of microtubules.
Hence, the correct answer is option (C), 'Mitochondria and 9+2 arrangement of microtubules'.