Question
(c) A sperm cell and an epithelial cell each contain a nucleus. State one difference between the nucleus of a sperm cell and the nucleus of an epithelial cell. (1)
Answer
4.4
(246 Votes)
Luna
Elite · Tutor for 8 years
Answer
One difference is that the nucleus of a sperm cell contains half the number of chromosomes of the nucleus in an epithelial cell.
Explanation
A sperm cell (from male reproductive system) and an epithelial cell (from skin or membranous tissue) indeed both contain a nucleus – the genetic control centre of the cell. Nuclei from these two cells differ in terms of genetic content. Each cell type utilizes the DNA inside their nuclei differently. While both organisms code for the same individual, portions of DNA are preserved within the sperm cell for generating the next generation most lucratively. Epithelial cells primarily focus on coding for proteins that maintain the body's internal balance and skin health. Structures within the nuclei may also differ to accommodate these different functions. The particular difference a student specifies could vary depending on what they have studied. Further clarification is often needed as this question is relatively broad.