sperm
27.1 | Anatomy and Physiology of the Male Reproductive System By the end of this section, you will be able to: Describe the structure and function of the organs of the male reproductive system Describe the structure and function of the sperm cell Explain the events during spermatogenesis that produce haploid sperm from diploid cells Identify the importance of testosterone in male reproductive function Unique for its role in human reproduction, a gamete is a specialized sex cell carrying 23 chromosomesone half the number in body cells. At fertilization, the chromosomes in one male gamete, called a sperm or spermatozoon , combine with the chromosomes in one female gamete, called an oocyte. The function of the male reproductive system Figure 27.2 is to produce sperm and transfer them to the female reproductive tract. The paired testes are a crucial component in this process, as they produce both sperm and androgens, the hormones that support male reproductive physiology. In humans, the most important male androgen is testosterone. Several accessory organs and ducts aid the process of sperm maturation and transport the sperm and other seminal components to the penis, which delivers sperm to the female reproductive tract. In this section, we examine each of these different structures, and discuss the process of sperm production and transport.