Question

Why spermatids possess a haploid chromosome number

Answer 1

Germ cells have only half the number of chromosomes as a diploid cell one of each pair. The number of chromosomes is reduced from 46 (23 pairs) to 23 during the process of meiosis. Because they have only half the total chromosomes in a somatic cell, they are termed haploid (n).

Answer 2

In males, sperms are produced by spermatogonia (immature germ cells). They are located in the inner walls of the seminiferous tubules. Spermatogonia divide by mitosis and are diploid. Some of the spermatogonia (primary spermatocytes) undergo meiosis periodically. After the first meiotic division, two haploid secondary spermatocytes are formed. They further divide by meiosis to give rise to four haploid spermatids. These spermatids are then transformed into sperms by the process of spermiogenesis. Hence, the spermatids formed are haploid.