Pronunciation: SPURM

Etymology: Sperm is derived from the Greek word for seed (sperma, σπέρμα).

Sperm are small, motile gametes that occur in life cycles with eggs, large non-motile gametes. These gamete types occur in oogamous taxa like the Animalia, the Embryophyte Plants, Diatoms, and organisms scattered throughout the eukaryotes. Sperm can be singular or plural, though sperms for the plural form is proper also.

By Jack R. Holt. Last revised: 01/03/2009