2.1 - Gamete Production & Fertilisation

Question 1

Germline cells definition

Answer 1

Germline cells include the gametes and the germline stem cells that divide to produce the gametes.

Question 2

What process forms gametes?

Answer 2

Gametes are formed by the process of meiosis to produce the haploid gametes.

Question 3

In humans, how many chromosomes do gametes contain?

Answer 3

In humans, gametes contain 23 unpaired chromosomes.

Question 4

What are the male and female gametes?

Answer 4

Male - sperm

Female - ovum

Question 5

Where is the site of sperm production in males?

Answer 5

The testes are the site of sperm production in males.

Question 6

What are inside the testes?

Answer 6

Inside the testes are coiled tubes called seminiferous tubules.

Question 7

Where is sperm produced?

Answer 7

Sperm is produced im the seminiferous tubules.

Question 8

Seminiferous tubules function

Answer 8

Produce sperm

Question 9

What is in the tissue between the seminiferous tubules?

Answer 9

Interstitial cells

Question 10

Interstitial cells function

Answer 10

Interstitial cells produce the hormone testosterone.

Question 11

Testosterone function

Answer 11

Testosterone stimulates sperm production im the seminiferous tubules.

Question 12

What is semen the collective name for?

Answer 12

Semen is the collective name given to the liquid released from the male upon ejaculation.

It consists of 10% sperm and 90% fluid.

Question 13

What is added to sperm as it passes through the sperm duct?

Answer 13

As sperm passes through the sperm duct from the testes to the penis, secretions are added from the seminal vesicle and the prostate gland to create the semen.

Question 14

What does the prostate gland and the seminal vesicles secrete?

Answer 14

The prostate gland and seminal vesicles secrete a fluid that maintains the mobility and viability of the sperm.

Question 15

What activates the prostate gland and seminal vesicles to produce the fluid?

Answer 15

Testosterone activates the prostate gland and the seminal vesicles to produce the fluid.

Question 16

Seminal vesicles function

Answer 16

The seminal vesicles secrete a liquid rich in fructose (a high energy sugar).

The liquid also contains prostaglandins.

Question 17

Fructose function

Answer 17

Fructose provides sperm with the energy needed for mobility.

Question 18

What do prostaglandins do?

Answer 18

Prostaglandins stimulate contractions of the muscles in the female reproductive tract.

These contractions help the sperm reach the oviduct faster than they would swimming alone.

Question 19

Prostate gland function

Answer 19

The prostate gland secretes a thin lubricating liquid which contains enzymes.

These enzymes regulate the viscosity of semen.

Question 20

What are the sites of ovum production?

Answer 20

The ovaries are the site of ovum production.

Question 21

What do the ovaries contain.

Answer 21

The ovaries contain immature ova in various stages of development.

Question 22

What is each developing ovum surrounded by?

Answer 22

Each developing ovum is protected by a follicle.

Question 23

What is the follicle that surrounds are protects the developing ovum?

Answer 23

The follicle is a fluid filled sac which surrounds and protects the ovum and secretes the hormone oestrogen.

Question 24

What is the process of ovulation?

Answer 24

Ovulation is the release of a mature ovum into the oviduct where it may be fertilised by a sperm to form a zygote.

Question 25

What is the oviduct lined with?

Answer 25

The oviduct is lined with small hairs called cilia.

Question 26

What do the cilia do after ovulation has occurred?

Answer 26

Once ovulation has occurred the cilia waft the ovum along the oviduct towards the uterus.

Question 27

What does the follicle develop into after ovulation?

Answer 27

After ovulation,.the follicle develops into a corpus luteum which secretes the hormone progesterone.

Question 28

If fertilisation occurs what happens to the corpus luteum?

Answer 28

If fertilisation occurs, the corpus luteum will continue to secrete progesterone.

Question 29

What happens to the corpus luteum if fertilisation does not occur?

Answer 29

If fertilisation does not occur, the corpus luteum will stop secreting progesterone and will decay.

Question 30

Fertilisation process

Answer 30

Fertilisation is the process by which the nucleus of the sperm cell and the nucleus of the ovum fuse together forming a zygote.

Question 31

What is a zygote?

Answer 31

A zygote is a fertilised egg cell.

Question 32

In humans, what does the zygote contain?

Answer 32

In humans, the zygote has received 1 set of chromosomes from the ovum and 1 set of chromosomes from the sperm. Therefore the zygote has 2 sets of chromosomes and is a diploid cell.

Question 33

What happens once the zygote has formed?

Answer 33

Once the zygote has formed, it will undergo mitosis to produce many more cells. This forms the new organism.