B11 - Flashcards
What is the function of the Ovaries?
Ovulation - produce and release eggs once a month
Hormone production - produces hormones (estrogen and progesterone).
Estrogen - controls the menstrual cycle and is responsible for characteristics like breast development
Progesterone - prepares the lining of the uterus for a fertilised egg to implant and grow
What is the function of the fallopian tubes?
Transportation - provide a pathway for eggs released from the ovaries to travel towards the uterus - where fertilisation happens if the sperm is present
Site of fertilisation - the fallopian tubes are where sperm can meet an egg, if sperm fertilises the egg it forms zygote (fertilised egg) and moves towards the uterus for implantation
What is the function of uterus?
Muscle contraction - these contraction help push the baby out of the uterus into the birth canal
Menstrual cycle - if fertilisation doesn’t occur the uterus sheds its lining which causes menstruation and prepares the uterus for a future pregnancy - causing a period
What is the function of the cervix?
Passage for menstrual blood - allows menstrual blood to flow from the uterus into the vagina during a period
Gateway for sperm - during sex the cervix produces mucus that can help sperm travel through the cervix and into the uterus increasing fertilisation chance
What is the function of the vagina?
Birth canal - during childbirth the baby passes through the vagina from the uterus
Reception of sperm - during sex sperm is deposited in the vagina allowing it to travel through the cervix and into the uterus for fertilisation
What is the function of the vulva?
Menstrual flow exit - provides an opening for menstrual blood to leave the body
Regulation of urine - the bulbs includes the urethral opening which is where urine exist the body
What is the function of the penis?
Sexual reproduction - deliveries sperm into the vagina during sex allowing fertilisation
Urination - allows for urine to exit the body through the urethra
What is the function of scrotum?
Temperature regulation - maintains the right environment which is imporyant for sperm production - needs a lower temperature than the rest of the body. The scrotum contacts when it too cold and relaxed when too warm
Protection - provides physical protection for the testicles
What is the function of the testes?
Hormone secretion - secretes testosterone which is important for the growth of facial and body hair, deepening the voice and increased muscle mass
Sperm production - process is regulated by testosterone. When ejaculated, sperm travels through the vast deferents and mix with seminal fluid to form semena
What is the function of the vas deferens
- contracts to allow sperm to move forward during ejaculate
- transports millions of sperm during ejaculation
What is the function of the seminal vesicles
Making seminal fluid - they produce seminal fluid which mixes with the work from the testicles to make semen
Nourishing semen - the fluid from the vesicles contain important nutrients e.g. sugar that give energy to sperm which help helps them survive longer
What is the function of the prostrate gland?
Produces prostatic fluid - secretes an alkaline fluid that makes up a significant portion of semen this provides a suitable ph environment for sperm
Protects sperm - the prostatic fluid contains enzymes that support and provide energy to sperm
What is mitosis?
This is when a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells which allows growth, repair and maintenance of the body’s cells
What is meiosis?
This is the cell division in the testes of men and ovaries of women which creates egg and sperm cells
What are egg and sperm cells called?
Gametes
