The macho sperm myth: Article by Robert D. Martin

“Human fertilisation is a gigantic lottery with 250 million tickets: for healthy sperm, it is the luck of the draw.”

— Robert D. Martin, "The macho sperm myth".

In this popular science article, Martin debunks a series of myths and double standards in human reproduction, including the pervasive, heteronormative belief that sperm cells "race" to reach an egg.

Temperature of egg determines gonads that form in turtles. (Gender Showcase, 9-12)

Discussion questions:

1. How do changing temperatures affect a sea turtle egg’s development?

2. How will average global temperature changes affect a sea turtle egg’s development?

References

• M. Ewert, D. Jackson, and C. Nelson, 1994, Patterns of temperature-dependent sex determination in turtles, J. Exp. Zool. 270:3-15.

• Roughgarden p. 203.