6.62 Reproductive System

Question 1

Human Reproductive System: Male System

Answer 1

Vas Deferens
Prostate Glad
Urethra
Epididymis
Penis
Ureter
Seminal Vesicle
Erectile Tissue
Testis

Question 2

Human Reproductive System: Female System

Answer 2

Uterus
Endometrium
Fallopian Tube (oviduct)
Ovary
Fimbria
Vagina

Question 3

Menstrual Cycle

Answer 3

The menstrual cycle involves four key hormones and describes
the recurring changes that occur to enable pregnancy
Pituitary Hormones (FSH and LH):
* Stimulate follicular growth within the ovaries
* Stimulate estrogen secretion (from the ovarian follicles)
* Stimulate progesterone secretion (from corpus luteum)
* A mid-cycle surge in LH triggers ovulation (egg release)
Ovarian Hormones (estrogen and progesterone):
* Promote development / thickening of the endometrium
* Promote FSH / LH secretion during the follicular phase
* Inhibit FSH / LH secretion during the luteal phase

Question 4

Reproductive Theories

Answer 4

One of the earliest theories involving how human reproduction occurs was the ‘soil and seed’ theory proposed by Aristotle
* Males provide all the information for life in a ‘seed’, which forms an egg when mixed with menstrual blood (the ‘soil’)
William Harvey dissected deer after the mating season and was unable to identify embryos until several months after mating
* He concluded that the ‘soil and seed’ theory was incorrect and that menstrual blood did not contribute to fetal growth

Question 5

Sex Development

Answer 5

Fertilisation requires a combination of male and female ‘seeds’
Male sex is determined by a gene on the Y chromosome which
causes gonads to develop as testes and secrete testosterone
* Testosterone produces sperm and male sex characteristics
Female reproductive organs develop in the absence of this gene
* Estrogen and progesterone develop female sex characteristics

Question 6

In Vitro Fertilisation

Answer 6

Stop normal menstrual cycle with drugs
* Hormone treatments to induce ovulation
* Extract multiple eggs from female
* Sperm sample is collected from male
* Fertilisation occurs externally (in vitro)
* Implantation of embryos into surrogate
* Test for pregnancy to determine success