OCR GCSE Biology 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The structure in the sperm cell that provides energy for movement is the mitochondria. Mitochondria are known as the "powerhouses" of the cell because they are responsible for producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which serves as the primary energy currency in biological systems.

In the case of sperm cells, an abundance of mitochondria is concentrated in the midpiece of the tail. This location allows the sperm to efficiently generate energy as it swims towards the egg. The energy produced by the mitochondria is crucial for powering the whip-like movement of the flagellum, allowing the sperm to navigate through the female reproductive tract to reach and fertilize the egg.

Other structures mentioned do not primarily serve the purpose of energy generation for the sperm's movement. The nucleus contains the genetic material and is involved in genetic functions, while enzymes facilitate biochemical reactions but do not directly provide energy. The cell membrane functions to protect the cell and regulate what enters and exits but does not generate energy.