The spermatheca is a part of the female reproductive tract in insects, some molluscs, and certain other invertebrates. Its purpose is to receive and store sperm from the male, and it is usually the site of fertilization when the oocytes are ready. Some species have multiple spermathecae. They are lined with epithelium and are variable in shape; some are thin, heavily coiled tubes, others are vague outpocketings from the main reproductive tract. Invertebrate is a term coined by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck to describe any animal without a spinal column. ... Schematic diagram of a sperm cell, showing the (1) acrosome, (2) cell membrane, (3) nucleus, (4) mitochondria, and (5) flagellum (tail) A sperm cell, or spermatozoon ( spermatozoa) (in Greek: sperm = semen and zoon = alive), is the haploid cell that is the male gamete. ... A sperm attempting to fertilize an egg Fertilisation (also known as fertilization and syngamy) is fusion of gametes to form a new organism. ... A human ovum An ovum (also oocyte, ovocyte, or loosely, egg or egg cell) is a female sex cell or gamete. ... In zootomy, epithelium is a tissue composed of a layer of cells. ...

An apiculturist may examine the spermatheca of a queen bee to find out whether or not it has received sperm from a male. Beekeeping (or apiculture) is the maintenance of one or more hives of honeybees. ... For the Queen bee in clique & social groups, see Clique. ...