Answered

Which of the following is TRUE regarding semen? Please select all that apply.


  • Contains sperm cells from the testes
  • Slightly acidic, $pH = 6.8$
  • Volume is 2-5 mL of semen per ejaculation
  • Averages 120 million sperm cells per mL of semen

Verified Answer :

  • The statement about semen containing sperm from the testes is true.
  • The statement about semen being slightly acidic (pH 6.8) is false; it is slightly alkaline (pH 7.2-8.0).
  • The statement regarding a volume of 2-5 mL per ejaculation is true.
  • The statement regarding an average concentration of 120 million sperm cells per mL is true.
  • The true statements are:
  1. Contains sperm cells from the testes
  2. Volume is 2-5 mL of semen per ejaculation
  3. Averages 120 million sperm cells per mL of semen

Explanation

  1. Biological Analysis of Semen Properties

To determine which statements regarding human semen are true, we must analyze the biological and medical properties of semen. Semen, also known as seminal fluid, is an organic fluid produced by the male reproductive system that contains spermatozoa and various secretions from accessory glands (seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands).

  1. Analysis of Statement 1: "Contains sperm cells from the testes." This statement is true. Spermatozoa are indeed produced in the testes within the seminiferous tubules and are transported through the reproductive tract to be mixed with seminal fluid to form semen.
  1. Analysis of Statement 2: "Slightly acidic, pH = 6.8." This statement is false. Human semen is typically slightly alkaline, not acidic. Its pH is generally within the range of \(7.2\) to \(8.0\). This alkalinity is essential for neutralizing the acidic environment of the female vaginal tract, thereby protecting the sperm and enabling their survival. A pH of \(6.8\) is acidic and incorrect.
  1. Analysis of Statement 3: "Volume is 2-5 mL of semen per ejaculation." This statement is true. According to standard clinical and biological references (such as the World Health Organization's criteria for semen analysis), the typical volume of a human ejaculate is within the range of \(1.5\) to \(5\) mL, with \(2-5\) mL being a widely recognized and accurate range for normal samples.
  1. Analysis of Statement 4: "Averages 120 million sperm cells per mL of semen." This statement is true. Medical literature commonly cites the average sperm concentration in a healthy human male to be between \(20\) and \(150\) million sperm per milliliter, with \(100-120\) million/mL being frequently cited as a standard statistical average in scientific textbooks.
  1. Conclusion and Final Selection

Based on our analysis of the statements:

  • The statement "Contains sperm cells from the testes" is TRUE.
  • The statement "Slightly acidic, pH = 6.8" is FALSE because semen is alkaline.
  • The statement "Volume is 2-5 mL of semen per ejaculation" is TRUE.
  • The statement "Averages 120 million sperm cells per mL of semen" is TRUE.

Thus, the statements that are true are:

  • Contains sperm cells from the testes
  • Volume is 2-5 mL of semen per ejaculation
  • Averages 120 million sperm cells per mL of semen

Examples

Understanding the composition and characteristics of human semen is essential in fields like reproductive biology, medicine, and fertility counseling. For example, a fertility specialist uses these standardized biological parameters—such as volume, pH, and sperm count per milliliter—to perform a semen analysis, which helps diagnose male infertility. Knowing the normal ranges allows doctors to identify deviations that may require treatment or further investigation, ensuring that patients receive accurate medical guidance for reproductive health.

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