1: Origin Of The Sexes Flashcards
What are the origin of germ cells? (3 points)
- Germ cells separate off from somatic (body) cells early in dev
(Primordial germ cells formed in epiblast @ 2nd embryonic week) - Germ cells then go to primordial gonads (which dev into testes/ovaries)
- @ Gonad germ cells interact w somatic cells
Germ cells multiply by mitosis then undergo meiosis -> haploid gametes (ovum / sperm)
(2 haploid gametes fuse -> diploid zygote)
How does gamete production differ between male and female?
Male: 7,000 sperms per second
Female: 400 ovums in lifetime
Describe the dev of gonads in general (not gender specific)
- Germ cells arise 3 weeks after conception
- Genetic cells derived by xsomes of germ cells
- Germ cells start near allantois - migrate -> genital ridge (@ back)
(This forms primordial gonad) - Gonad made from somatic cells from original primordium and germ cells
- Primordial gonad consists of cortex and medulla
What do primordial gonads consist of?
Cortex and medulla
Describe the dev of gonads in males (6 points)
- Male germ cells colonise MEDULLARY region of primordial gonad (CORTEX will atrophy)
- Germ cells allow sex cords growth (which they invade : means theres a mix of somatic and germ cells)
- Sex cords become seminiferous tubules in adults
- Original mesodermal somatic cells —> sertoli cells (only found in males)
- Sertoli cells express SRY gene —> influence masculinisation
- Leydig cells dev between sex cords —> secrete testosterone —> allows rest of body to become male
Describe the dev of gonads in females (2 points)
- Female germ cells colonise CORTEX region of primordial gonad (Medullary cords don’t dev)
- Germ cells become surrounded by somatic mesenchymal cells —> form primordial follicles (SRY gene not expressed)
What are the components of the male internal genitalia? (5 things)
- Testes
- Duct system
- Epididymis
- Ductus deferens (urethra)
- Seminal vesicles
- Prostate
- Bulbo-urethral glands
Why must males be continuously fertile?
To exploit the intermittent female fertility
Why is there a high production of sperm?
Only small proportion of male gametes survive journey through female reprod tract
What are the roles of the male internal genitalia? (2 roles)
- Collect + mature continuous sperm production
2. Prod other fluid components of semen
What are the components of the male external genitalia? (2 things)
- Penis
2. Scrotum
What is the role of the male external genitalia?
Deliver semen (ejaculate into vagina)
What are the components of the female internal genitalia? (2 things)
- Ovaries
- Duct system
- Fallopian tube
- Uterus
- Cervix
- Vagina
What are the roles of the male internal genitalia? (3 roles)
Provide environment for:
- Sperm to travel
- Conceptus to implant and form placenta
- Embryo to dev to term
What are the components of the female external genitalia? (5 things)
- Vagina
- Vestibule
- Labia Minora
- Labia Majora
- Clitoris
What are the roles of the female external genitalia? (2 roles)
- Prov means of introd sperm into female reprod tract
2. Allows formation of birth canal
How are the male internal genitalia developed? (3 points)
- Leydig cells prod testosterone —> stim. Wofflian duct
- Wofflian duct forms epididymis + rest of male internal genitalia
- Mullerian duct growth inhibited by “Mullerian Inhibitory Hormone” (secreted by Sertoli cells)
How are the male external genitalia developed? (3 points)
- Urethral folds —> Shaft of penis
- Labiosacral folds (genital swelling) —> Scrotum
- Genital Tubercle —> Glans of penis
All processes helped by testosterone from Leydig cells
How are the female internal genitalia developed? (2 points)
- Mullerian duct (para mesonephric) forms fallopian tube + rest of female internal genitalia
- Wolffian duct regresses naturally