Q1. [5] medium thorough-understanding
Trace the complete journey of a male gamete — from the moment it is produced in the human body to the moment fertilisation occurs — naming each structure it passes through and the key event at each stage.
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-26 01:08 · grounding rag
Model Answer
Journey of a male gamete from production to fertilisation:
- Testes (Production): Sperms (male gametes) are produced in the testes, which are located in the scrotum outside the abdominal cavity, as sperm formation requires a lower temperature than normal body temperature.
- Vas deferens (Transport): Sperms are carried out of the testes through the vas deferens.
- Seminal vesicles & Prostate gland (Nourishment): Along the vas deferens, secretions from the seminal vesicles and prostate gland are added. This fluid (semen) eases transport and provides nutrition to the sperms.
- Urethra (Exit): The vas deferens unites with the tube from the urinary bladder to form the urethra — a common passage for sperms and urine — through which sperms leave the body.
- Vagina → Oviduct (Fertilisation): Sperms enter the female body through the vagina during sexual intercourse, travel upward, and reach the fallopian tube (oviduct), where fertilisation occurs upon meeting the egg.
Source: Chapter 7, Section 7.3.3 (a) & (b)
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Explanation
- The examiner expects you to name each structure in sequence and state what happens there — production, addition of fluids, exit route, and finally fertilisation.
- A common mistake is forgetting to mention that fertilisation occurs in the fallopian tube/oviduct, not in the uterus.
- Note that the scrotum's lower temperature is a key fact about sperm production — examiners frequently test it.
- Five clear, labelled points map neatly to 5 marks; one point per mark is a safe strategy.