The cell organelle responsible for the formation of acrosome in a sperm is?

KPSC Staff Nurse - 2016

Applied Physiology

Easy

Appeared in: KPSC Staff Nurse - 2016

Explanation

The Golgi apparatus (Golgi bodies) is directly responsible for forming the acrosome, which is a cap-like structure over the anterior part of the sperm's head.
During spermiogenesis, the Golgi apparatus processes and packages hydrolytic enzymes (like hyaluronidase and acrosin) into vesicles.
These vesicles then coalesce or fuse to form a single large acrosomal vesicle that molds itself around the nucleus to become the mature acrosome.
The enzymes contained within the acrosome are crucial for the sperm to penetrate the protective outer layer of the egg (zona pellucida) during fertilization.

Option A: Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis. While they produce the enzymes that are eventually placed in the acrosome, they do not form the acrosomal structure itself.
Option B: Mitochondria are the 'powerhouses' of the cell. In sperm, they are concentrated in the midpiece, where they generate the ATP needed to power the flagellum for motility. They are not involved in forming the acrosome.
Option D: While the acrosome is functionally similar to a lysosome (both contain digestive/hydrolytic enzymes) and is often called a 'specialized lysosome,' it is not a lysosome in the typical sense. It is specifically derived from the Golgi apparatus during spermiogenesis.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Acrosome formation during spermiogenesis as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
The acrosome reaction, where the acrosome releases its enzymes upon contact with the egg, is an indispensable step for fertilization. Defects in acrosome formation or function are a significant cause of male infertility.
A condition known as globozoospermia ('round-headed sperm syndrome') is characterized by sperm that lack an acrosome, making them unable to fertilize an egg naturally.
What if? If a patient presents with infertility and semen analysis reveals globozoospermia, the underlying issue is a failure of the Golgi apparatus during spermiogenesis. The clinical intervention would be to bypass the need for the acrosome reaction using assisted reproductive technology, specifically Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is injected directly into the egg.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is the origin of the 'acrosome' in a 'sperm'.
The question asks for the 'cell organelle responsible for formation'. This points to a process of cellular construction.
Systematically review the primary function of each organelle listed in the options.
Ribosome: Protein synthesis.
Mitochondria: Energy (ATP) production.
Golgi bodies: Processing, packaging, and transport of proteins and lipids into vesicles.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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