Mammalian Gametes

[hephzi]

How are mammalian gametes specialised for their functions?

[kolean]

At least take a guess on how they are specialized for their functions. Look at the shape of the male sperm and the female egg. Then look at the main organelles in each gamete, and their location.
This should all be in your book.

[hephzi]

if i had my book i wouldn't ask, i hav to retake biology and i had to give my book back due to summer holiday

[kolean]

Basically then, the male gamete has alot of its cytoplasm reduced with a big huge vesicle called the acrosome that contains the enzymes to eat thru the outer slimy layer that surrounds the egg cell. It has concentrated all of its mitocondria to the end where there is the flagella for motility.
The egg cell is full of maternal mRNA that are silenced till fertilization. It also has vesicles just under the plasma membrane that will release enzymes upon one sperm contact and prevent polyspermy from happening. A release of Ca ++ happens upon fertilization and starts the whole cascade of development. The egg cell is composed of many layers in order to protect it in its journey thru the fallopian tubes.
That is all I can remember off the top of my head.
Try wikipedia for mammalian sperm and egg. Under the anatomy heading will give you specifics.