# A sperm cell is a specialised animal cell. Describe how the structure of a sperm cell is related to its function, and explain why cell differentiation is important for multicellular organisms.

> OCR A-Level Biology B — Advancing Biology (H422) — 2.1 Cell structure · Describe and Explain · 5 marks

> Sperm cells are produced in large numbers and must travel long distances to reach an egg cell. They are an example of how cell differentiation allows organisms to carry out life processes more efficiently.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Sperm cell carries male DNA (to the egg for reproduction)
2. Sperm cell has a tail / flagellum to allow it to swim (towards the egg)
3. Sperm cell has many mitochondria to provide energy for movement / swimming
4. Cell differentiation is the production of specialised cells (from unspecialised / undifferentiated cells)
5. Cell differentiation allows multicellular organisms to become more efficient (because each cell type is adapted to carry out a specific function)

## Key terms

- [sperm cell](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/sperm-cell)
- [cell differentiation](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/cell-differentiation)
- [multicellular organism](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/multicellular-organism)

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR A-Level Biology B — Advancing Biology (H422)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe and Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-sperm-cell-is-a-specialised-49929395) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.