A&P: Male Reproductive System Flashcards
What is the chromosome number in sperm?
- 1n (or 23 chromosomes), because sperm are haploid cells (n = 23)
What is defined as reproductive organs that produces hormones and gametes?
Gonads
Name the gonads found in males vs females
- Testes - gonads in males
- Ovaries - gonads in females
What is defined as reproductive cells that are made by gonads that are the product of meiosis, resulting in haploid cells
Gametes
Name the gametes found in males vs females
- Sperm (males)
- Ova/egg (females)
Fertilization is when male and female ____ unit to produce a ____ cell.
gametes; diploid
What is defined as the single cell created at fertilization?
Zygote
What is the chromosome number in zygotes?
- 2n because a zygote is the cell made after fertilization, which means when the sperm (1n) and egg (1n) unite, it will create the zygote that has (2n)
Know the passageway of sperm (How does it exit the body)
- Seminiferous Tubules (within Testes) -> Epididymis -> Vas/Ductus deferens -> Ejaculatory Duct -> Ejaculatory Duct passes through Prostate gland -> Urethra -> (tip of) Penis
Testes are gonads that are located within the _____
scrotum
What male reproductive organ “houses” the seminiferous tubules?
- testes
What male reproductive organ does spermatogenesis take place?
Seminiferous Tubules
T/F: Sperm are made in the seminiferous tubules and are mobile when made here
False, they are immotile and immature when in the seminiferous tubules, but they mature and gain motility when in the epididymis
What are the two cells found INSIDE the seminiferous tubules of the testes? What are their individual functions?
- Spermatogenic cells = make immature sperm
- Sertoli cells = nurse/helps sperm develop
What cell is found OUTSIDE the seminiferous tubules? What is its function?
- Interstitial (Leydig) cells = secrete testosterone OUTSIDE seminiferous tubules
What is defined as the tube coiled on the outer surface of the testis?
Epididymis
What happens to sperm when they are in the epididymis?
- Sperm mature/stored here, and gain mobility
- Sperm is pushes through the epididymis via peristalsis (SM contraction)
What male organ is cut during a vasectomy?
Vas/Ductus deferens
The Vas/Ductus deferens is a ___ tube that moves upward and connects with the duct of the __________ ______.
muscular
seminal vesicle
What is the name of the duct that is formed from the fusion of the end of the Vas/Ductus deferens and the Duct of the Seminal Vesicle?
Ejaculatory Duct
T/F: The urethra only allows for urine to exit the male body, and sperm exits the male both through a different tube
False
Describe spermatogenisis
- Spermatogenesis takes place in the seminiferous tubules
- Spermatogonium (2n) enters mitosis and will either stay as spermatogonium or will enter meiosis
-> One Primary spermatocyte (2n) -> Enters Meiosis I -> Two Secondary spermatocyte (1n) -> Enters Meiosis II -> Four spermatids (1n) -> Four sperm (1n)
T/F: Semen only include sperm
- False, because semen is a mixture of sperm and secretions of accessory glands (seminal fluid)
What 3 things does the seminal vesicle secrete? What are their functions?
- Secretes alkaline fluid (regulates pH)
- Secretes fructose (sugar = E for sperm)
- Secrete prostaglandins (stimulate SM contraction in male and females)
What is responsible for secreting energy for sperm and prostaglandins that stimulate SM contraction?
Seminal Vesicle
What does the prostate gland secrete and what is its purpose?
- alkaline, milky fluid to neutralize acidic secretions of vagina and increase sperm motility
What gland secretes substances that increases sperm motility?
Prostate gland
What gland secretes a substance that lubricated the end of the penis for preparation of sexual intercourse?
Bulbourethral Glands
T/F: Semen is slightly acidic
False, semen in slightly alkaline
What does the head of the sperm contain?
- Nucleus (chromosomes) and acrosome
What does the acrosome contain and where is it located?
- Acrosome is located in the head and contains enzymes to help sperm penetrate egg
What does the midpiece of the sperm contain? What is the purpose?
- contains many mitochondria (E to move)
What does the tail contain? What is its role?
- flagella that moves sperm
What male organ is described as the pouch of skin that contains the testes?
Scrotum
What are the 2 functions of the scrotum?
- Protects testes
- Contains SM (so it can contract/relax to control temperature regulation for idea sperm production and survival)
What will happen to the scrotum if the temperature is too cold and/or too hot?
- If cold = SM contracts = raises scrotum toward body = increase temperature
- If warm = SM releases = scrotum lowers away from body = decrease temperature
What is the name of the tubular organ that the urethra passes through in males?
Penis
Name the pathway in which testosterone gets released
- Pathway: Hypothalamus -> Gonadotropin-releasing hormone -> Anterior pituitary -> LH + FSH
- LH -> Leydig cells -> Release testosterone
- FSH -> Sertoli cells -> Inhibin and support spermatogensis
What are the 3 effects testosterone has on the male body?
- Develops secondary sex characteristics (puberty)
- Increases metabolism
- Stimulate sexual activity
Name the pathway that causes the stimulation of sertoli cells to support spermatogenesis
- Pathway: Hypothalamus -> Gonadotropin-releasing hormone -> Anterior pituitary -> FSH -> Sertoli cells -> Support spermatogenesis
