Question

Which acid occurs in semen?
A. Acetic acid
B. Formic acid
C. Citric acid
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Semen is the whitish or greyish, creamy fluid that is ejaculated by the penis during sexual arousal or orgasm. It has two major components- the sperm and the fluid.

Complete answer:
Semen is the fluid released by the penis in men during orgasms or any sexual arousal. It is homogenous, creamy, whitish/ greyish in color, and has a jelly-like texture. It is also called the cum, ejaculate, or seminal fluid. Its two major components are the sperm and the fluid. Sperms or spermatozoa are the male/sex/reproductive gametes that are haploid in nature. They have 23 pairs of chromosomes, including one pair of sex chromosomes- XY that determines the sex of the child. They carry the genetic information required for the formation of the zygote. The number of sperms in the semen varies between individuals. The normal sperm count is 15-200 million sperm per milliliter of semen. The seminal fluid releases these sperms in the female genital tract.
The fluids constitute 60 percent of the semen or seminal fluid. The fluid is constituted by the secretion of prostate glands, sex glands, and seminal vesicles. The prostate gland secretes the prostatic fluid that is rich in enzymes and zinc ions. It also releases citric acid, which makes the fluid slightly acidic. They constitute one-third of the seminal fluid.
The secretions from the seminal vesicle make the bulk of the semen. It secretes a slightly alkaline fluid that helps in the lubrication and movement of the sperm. It also contains fructose, which acts as the main source of energy for sperms.
The other components of semen are proteins, enzymes, phosphorus, potassium, amino acids, and hormones called prostaglandins.

Option C: The semen contains citric acid secreted by the prostate gland. Therefore, this is the correct option.
All the other options are irrelevant.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C)

Note: The semen of an individual should be slightly alkaline as it protects the sperm and also prepares them to be deposited in the acidic environment in the vagina. If the semen gets slightly acidic, it will affect the mobility and motility of sperm. The sperms cannot survive in an acidic environment. The fluid will become suicidal for them. This will lead to a decreased sperm count in the semen, which might affect fertility.