11.4 Sexual reproduction Flashcards
What is sexual reproduction?
- A form of reproduction that involves the fusion of two haploid gametes.
- The production of these gametes occurs during gametogenesis, which is known as spermatogenesis and oogenesis in males and females, respectively.
Define gametogenesis
The process by which cells of the germinal epithelium undergo cell division and differentiation to form haploid gametes.
What is spermatogenesis?
The production of sperm (takes place in the testes).
Where does the production of sperm take place?
In the testes
What are testes composed of?
Seminiferous tubules with interstitial cells (sometimes called Leydig cells) filling up the gaps in between.
Cross section of seminiferous tubules and interstitial cells in the testes
What is the outer layer of the seminiferous tubule made up of?
A layer of cells called the germinal epithelium.
What is the function of the stem cells of the germinal epithelium?
- These cells, also known as spermatogonia (these are diploid cells, 2n), divide by mitosis to produce more spermatogonia.
- Out of the two daughter cells produced, one renews the stock of spermatogonia in the germinal epithelium, while the other will be involved in sperm production.
Step 1 of how spermatogonia develop into sperm
- Spermatogonia grow into larger cells called primary spermatocytes (2n).
- Each primary spermatocyte carries out the first division of meiosis to produce two secondary spermatocytes (n).
Step 2 of how spermatogonia develop into sperm
Secondary spermatocytes carry out the second division of meiosis to produce two spermatids (n).
Step 3 of how spermatogonia develop into sperm
- Spermatids become associated with nurse cells, called Sertoli cells, which help the spermatids to develop into spermatozoa (n) or sperm.
- This is an example of cell differentiation.
- Sertoli cells provide nurture and support.
- The function of Sertoli cells is to nourish the developing sperm cells through the stages of spermatogenesis.
Step 4 of how spermatogonia develop into sperm
Sperm detach from Sertoli cells and are eventually carried out of the testis by the fluid in the center of the seminiferous tubule.
All steps of how spermatogonia develop into sperm
- Spermatogonia grow into larger cells called primary spermatocytes (2n). Each primary spermatocyte carries out the first division of meiosis to produce two secondary spermatocytes (n).
- Secondary spermatocytes carry out the second division of meiosis to produce two spermatids (n).
- Spermatids become associated with nurse cells, called Sertoli cells, which help the spermatids to develop into spermatozoa (n) or sperm. This is an example of cell differentiation. Sertoli cells provide nurture and support. The function of Sertoli cells is to nourish the developing sperm cells through the stages of spermatogenesis.
- Sperm detach from Sertoli cells and are eventually carried out of the testis by the fluid in the center of the seminiferous tubule.
Diagram showing the stages of spermatogenesis
What is the function of Leydig cells?
Leydig cells in the interstitial space of the testis produce the hormone testosterone, which allows spermatocytes to complete the meiotic divisions and mature into spermatozoa.
What are spermatogenesis and male fertility dependent upon?
The presence of testosterone in the testis.
Where does the development of sperm cells occur?
From the outside to the center (of the seminiferous tubule), with the cells in the center being the most mature.
Diagram os the stages of spermatogenesis in the wall of the seminiferous tubule
What is oogenesis?
This involves the production of ova (egg cells), which takes place in the ovaries of a female.
How many primary follicles is a female born with?
Around 400,000
What does the primary follicle consist of?
A primary oocyte, surrounded by a single layer of follicle cells.
When is the development of the primary oocyte halted?
At the first meiotic division.
Picture (micrograph) of a primary follicle
Stage 1 of oogenesis
- At puberty, FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) begins to be produced and causes some follicles to develop each month.
- This allows the oocyte to complete the first meiotic division.
Stage 2 of oogenesis
- The first meiotic division forms two cells.
- The smaller of the two cells is the polar body, which eventually degenerates.
- The larger cell becomes a secondary oocyte, which enters meiosis II.
- Meiosis II is halted at metaphase II if fertilization does not occur.
Stage 3 of oogenesis
If fertilisation does occur, meiosis II continues and a second polar body and a ovum are produced.
All steps of oogenesis
- The process begins during fetal development. A female is born with around 400, 000 primary follicles. The primary follicle consists of a primary oocyte, surrounded by a single layer of follicle cells.
- These cells (oogonia) undergo cell growth until they are large enough to undergo meiosis (becoming primary oocytes)
- The primary oocytes begin meiosis but are arrested in prophase I
- The primary oocytes remain arrested in prophase I until puberty, when a girl begins her menstrual cycle
- Each month, hormones (FSH) will trigger the continued division of some of the primary oocytes
- These cells will complete the first meiotic division to form two cells of unequal size
- One cell retains the entirety of the cytoplasm to form a secondary oocyte, while the other cell forms a polar body
- The polar body remains trapped within the follicle until it eventually degenerates
- The secondary oocyte begins the second meiotic division but is arrested in metaphase II
- The secondary oocyte is released from the ovary (ovulation) and enters into the oviduct (or fallopian tube)
- The follicular cells surrounding the oocyte form a corona radiata and function to nourish the secondary oocyte
- If the oocyte is fertilized by a sperm, chemical changes will trigger the completion of meiosis II and the formation of another polar body (the first polar body may also undergo a second division to form a third polar body)
- Once meiosis II is complete, the mature egg forms an ovum, before fusing its nucleus with the sperm nucleus to form a zygote
Why are differentiation and maturation in the case of oogenesis longer processes than in spermatogenesis?
- Because of the build-up of a store of cytoplasmic enzymes, mRNAs, organelles, and metabolic substrates in the cytoplasm of the oocyte.
- This happens every month after puberty when the primary follicle starts to mature.
Similarities between spermatogenesis and oogenesis
They both involve mitosis, cell growth, two divisions of meiosis, and differentiation and result in (n) gametes.
Table showing similarities and differences between spermatogenesis and oogenesis
Diagram showing the stages of oogenesis
Where do human sperm cells develop?
Seminiferous tubules (testes)
When/where does oogenesis begin?
In the womb
What is the role of testosterone in spermatogenesis?
It stimulates the meiotic divisions of spermatogonia into spermatozoa.
Annotating diagrams of a seminiferous tubule and an ovary for the exam
You need to be able to annotate a diagram of a seminiferous tubule and an ovary.
Diagram of spermatogenesis
You only need to be able to annotate the seminiferous tubule in the middle.
Diagram of oogenesis
What are the different types of follicles?
- As the primary follicle develops several layers of granulosa cells, it becomes known as the secondary follicle; and when it develops fluid-filled cavities, it is called a tertiary follicle.
- The Graafian follicle is an advanced tertiary follicle where all the smaller fluid-filled cavities have fused together (forming one main cavity).
Which of the cells labeled in the testis diagram provide nourishment for developing sperm cells?
iii
This indicates a Sertoli cell which nourishes developing spermatozoa.
On the diagram below, which label represents a spermatogonium cell?
A
A is the spermatogonium because they are closest to the basement membrane.
Which label shows the ovulated ovum?
E
This is the ovulated ovum as you can see it has been released from the mature follicle within the ovary. The other labels are: A = Primary follicles; B = Oocyte; C= Zona Pellucida; D = Secondary Oocyte.
Annotating diagrams of a sperm and egg cell for the exam
You need to be able to annotate diagrams of a sperm cell and an egg cell.
Diagram of a sperm cell
Diagram of an ovum (egg cell)
Give the name of structure X.
Acrosome
What happens after copulation?
- The sperm deposited in the female’s body start swimming toward the egg to fertilize it.
- It is believed that the sperm follow a concentration gradient of chemicals secreted by the oocyte.
- Once the sperm reach the egg, fertilization may occur.
What is fertilization?
The fusing of two gametes: an egg cell and a sperm cell.
Where does fertilization usually take place?
In the fallopian tube (also called an oviduct) in the female body.
Both the egg and sperm cells are ___, so the resulting zygote is ___.
Haploid
Diploid