Which of the following statements about sperm migration during fertilization is correct?

• A. Sperm migrate toward the egg by crawling using pseudopodia.
• B. Sperm reach the egg by being engulfed by white blood cells.
• C. Sperm use flagellar movement to swim through the female reproductive tract toward the egg.
• D. Sperm are passively carried to the egg by blood flow.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the structure and function of sperm cells: Sperm cells are specialized for movement and fertilization. They possess a flagellum, which is a whip-like structure that enables them to swim actively.
2. Review the process of sperm migration: During fertilization, sperm cells travel through the female reproductive tract, including the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes, to reach the egg. This journey requires active movement facilitated by the flagellum.
3. Eliminate incorrect options: Analyze each statement provided in the problem. For example, sperm do not crawl using pseudopodia (a feature of amoeboid cells), nor are they passively carried by blood flow or engulfed by white blood cells.
4. Focus on the correct mechanism: Sperm use flagellar movement to propel themselves through the female reproductive tract. This active swimming is essential for reaching the egg for fertilization.
5. Conclude with the correct statement: Based on the biological understanding of sperm structure and function, the correct answer is that sperm use flagellar movement to swim through the female reproductive tract toward the egg.