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Chapter 3: Problem 26

At puberty, the testes contain a finite number of cells and produce an enormous number of sperm cells during the life span of a male. Explain why testes do not run out of spermatogonial cells.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Testes do not run out of spermatogonial cells because these cells are self-renewing. This occurs as type A spermatogonial cells can divide and make a copy of themselves through mitosis. One cell remains as a stem cell and the other cell moves on to become a sperm cell. In this way, the population of spermatogonial cells in the testes stays sustained over time, regardless of the number of sperm created.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Spermatogonial Cells

Spermatogonial cells are the germ cells in males, which are located in the testes. They're responsible for the process of spermatogenesis or the production of sperm cells. They exist in several forms, namely the type A (dark, pale) and type B spermatogonia. Type A cells play a significant role in ensuring the continuity of this population of cells.
02

Explaining Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is the biological process by which sperm cells are produced from spermatogonial stem cells in a sophisticated process of cell division and differentiation. The process begins with mitosis of the spermatogonium, DNA replication, and division of a cell into two identical spermatogonial stem cells. One of these remains as a stem cell and the other differentiates into a B type cell or primary spermatocyte, which is destined to become a sperm cell.
03

Why the Testes Don't Run Out of Spermatogonial Cells

Due to the process of spermatogenesis, one would assume that the testes would eventually exhaust the supply of spermatogonial cells. However, this doesn't occur because type A spermatogonial cells can undergo mitosis and divide into more spermatogonial cells, thereby replenishing the supply. They are essentially self-renewing. One of the two cells following mitosis remains a spermatogonial stem cell, ready to divide again, while the other cell progresses on to become a sperm cell.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Why is it necessary for the chromosomes to condense during mitosis and meiosis? What do you think might happen if the chromosomes were not condensed?

With regard to sister chromatids, which phase of mitosis is the organization phase, and which is the separation phase?

Corn has 10 chromosomes per set, and the sporophyte of the species is diploid. If you performed a karyotype, what is the total number of chromosomes you would expect to see in each of the following types of cells? A. A leaf cell B. The sperm nucleus of a pollen grain C. An endosperm cell after fertilization D. A root cell

Nine-banded armadillos almost always give birth to four offspring that are genetically identical quadruplets. Explain how you think this happens.

For the following events, specify whether they occur during mitosis, meiosis I, or meiosis II: A. Separation of conjoined chromatids within a pair of sister chromatids B. Pairing of homologous chromosomes C. Alignment of chromatids along the metaphase plate D. Attachment of sister chromatids to both poles
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