A sperm cell contains 23 chromosomes.
Sperm cells, along with egg cells, are unique because they possess only half the number of chromosomes found in typical body cells. This is crucial for sexual reproduction.
Here's a breakdown:
- Regular Body Cells: Contain 46 chromosomes (23 pairs).
- Sperm and Egg Cells: Contain 23 chromosomes each.
- Zygote (Fertilized Egg): When a sperm and egg cell fuse during fertilization, the resulting zygote has 46 chromosomes (23 pairs), restoring the normal chromosome number.
The reference confirms this: "Egg and sperm cells have just 23 chromosomes each. That's half as many chromosomes as regular cells. Through the process of fertilization, egg and sperm join to make a cell with 46 chromosomes (23 pairs), called a zygote."
