Answer either (a) or (b) :
(a)
(i) Name an organ that helps in the formation of male germ cells in humans and also mention the condition that favours the formation of male germ cells.
(ii) In male reproductive system, write the pathway followed to deliver male germ cells to the site of fertilisation.
(iii) Mention the main physical feature of the male germ cell that helps it move towards the female germ cell.
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 06:42 · grounding rag
Model Answer
(i) The organ responsible for the formation of male germ cells (sperms) is the testes. The condition that favours sperm formation is a lower temperature than the normal body temperature. That is why the testes are located outside the abdominal cavity in the scrotum.
(ii) Pathway followed by male germ cells to reach the site of fertilisation:
Testes → Vas deferens → Urethra → Penis → Vagina → Oviduct (Fallopian tube)
Along the vas deferens, glands like the prostate and seminal vesicles add secretions that form semen, providing nutrition and ease of transport to the sperms.
(iii) The male germ cell (sperm) has a long tail which helps it move towards the female germ cell. The sperm mainly consists of genetic material and this long tail.
Source: Chapter 7, Section 7.3.3 (a) Male Reproductive System
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Explanation
- Part (i) — Examiners expect both the organ name (testes) and the specific condition (lower temperature). Missing the condition loses a mark.
- Part (ii) — The pathway is a standard 2-mark question. Write it as a flow chart/arrow diagram. Mentioning the glands (prostate, seminal vesicles) adds completeness and secures full marks.
- Part (iii) — The answer must be the long tail — avoid vague answers like "it can swim." The textbook uses the exact phrase "long tail that helps them to move towards the female germ-cell."