B11 - Function And Disorders Of The Reproductive Sytem

Question 1

What are the 2 functions of the Ovaries?

Answer 1

Ovulation - produce and release eggs once a month

Hormone production - produces hormones (oestrogen and progesterone).

Oestrogen - 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

Question 2

What is the function of the fallopian tubes?

Answer 2

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

Question 3

What is the function of uterus?

Answer 3

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

Question 4

What is the function of the cervix?

Answer 4

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

Question 5

What is the function of the vagina?

Answer 5

Birth canal - during childbirth the baby passes through the vagina from the uterus

Reception of sperm - during sex sperm is released in the vagina allowing it to travel through the cervix and into the uterus for fertilisation

Question 6

What is the function of the vulva?

Answer 6

Menstrual flow exit - provides an opening for menstrual blood to leave the body

Regulation of urine - the vulva includes the urethra opening which is where urine exists the body

Question 7

What is the function of the penis?

Answer 7

Sexual reproduction - delivers sperm into the vagina during sex allowing fertilisation

Urination - allows for urine to exit the body through the urethra

Question 8

What is the function of scrotum?

Answer 8

Temperature regulation - maintains the right environment which is important for sperm production - needs a lower temperature than the rest of the body. The scrotum contracts when it too cold and relaxed when too warm

Protection - provides physical protection for the testicles

Question 9

What is the function of the testes?

Answer 9

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

Question 10

What is the function of the vas deferens

Answer 10

• contracts to allow sperm to move forward during ejaculation
• transports millions of sperm during ejaculation

Question 11

What is the function of the seminal vesicles

Answer 11

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

Question 12

What is the function of the prostrate gland?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

What is mitosis?

Answer 13

This is when a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells which allows growth, repair and maintenance of the body’s cells

Question 14

What is meiosis?

Answer 14

This is the cell division in the testes of men and ovaries of women which creates egg and sperm cells

Question 15

What are egg and sperm cells called?

Answer 15

Gametes

Question 16

How many chromosomes do each sperm and egg cells have?

Answer 16

23 pairs each

Question 17

How many chromosomes does a fertilised egg have in total?

Answer 17

46

Question 18

What are the 6 stages of conception to birth?

Answer 18

1. The cells from each parent that combine to form zygote (fertilised egg) are called gametes (sex cells)
2. The sperm and egg cell contains 23 pairs of chromosome each
3. The sperm cells travel from the penis to the egg cell via the vagina and cervix. The sperm have a tail to help them swim and have a lot of mitochondria to give them energy. The head of the sperm contains enzymes which digest the egg membrane.
4. The egg contains a large food store to support the developing zygote until it can feed from the placenta
5. The joining of the egg and sperm is called fertilisation and now the zygote will begin to develop with 46 chromosomes
6. After 10-14 days, it will become an embryo

Question 19

What are the 6 factors that can effect prenatal development?

Answer 19

1. Genetics
2. Mothers health
3. Mothers age
4. Diet in pregnancy
5. Smoking in pregnancy
6. Alcohol in pregnancy

Question 20

How do genetics positively/negatively affect prenatal development?

Answer 20

• Down’s syndrome is caused by an extra chromosome
• Inherited diseases like sickle cell and cystic fibrosis
• Genetics influence growth, physical traits and susceptibility to certain conditions
• Healthy genes set off a healthy life

Question 21

How does Mother’s Health positively/negatively affect prenatal development?

Answer 21

• Essential nutrients supports foetal growth
• Avoiding smoking, alcohol and drugs reduces risks of complications
• Moderate Exercise can promote healthy weight gain and reduce stress
• Lack of nutrition can lead to low birth weight and development issues
• Use of drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can effect foetal development

Question 22

How does Mothers Age negatively effect prenatal development?

Answer 22

• Mothers over 35 have a higher increased risk of pregnancy complications, miscarriage
• Young mothers have an increased risk of foetal growth restriction, low birth weight and premature birth

Question 23

How does Diet in pregnancy positively/negatively effect prenatal development?

Answer 23

• A balanced diet with fruits and vegetables supports foetal growth and development
• Essential vitamins can promote healthy brain development
• Proper hydration supports overall health
• High intake of sugar and fat increases risk of diabetes and obesity
• Consuming unsafe foods can lead to infections which may harm foetal development

Question 24

How does Smoking in pregnancy negatively effect prenatal development?

Answer 24

• Low birth weight
• Premature birth
• Cognitive and behavioural problems for baby
• Increased risk of stillbirth

Question 25

How does Alcohol in pregnancy negatively effect prenatal development?

Answer 25

- Low birth weight - Physical and cognitive development - Higher chance of miscarriage and still birth - Slow foetal growth

Question 26

What is Spina Bifida?

Answer 26

This occurs during the third and fourth weeks of pregnancy when there is an incomplete closing of the spine so, the baby is born with part of the spinal cord exposed on the back

Question 27

What are the symptoms of Spina Bifida?

Answer 27

- Problems with moving - Bladder and bowl problems - Weakness or total paralysis of the legs - Child is unable to feel hot or cold which can lead to accidental injury

Question 28

What is Cerebral Palsy?

Answer 28

A lifelong condition that affects movement and coordination which is caused by a problem with the brain that developed during or soon after birth

Question 29

What are the symptoms of Cerebral Palsy?

Answer 29

- Not obvious after baby is born - Delays in reaching development milestones - Weakness arms or legs - Walking on tiptoes - Shaking hands

Question 30

What is Rubella in pregnancy?

Answer 30

This is when the mum gets the infection which then effects the foetus. Rubella is a rare illness that causes a spotty rash, sneezing and coughing can spread this

Question 31

What are the symptoms of Rubella?

Answer 31

- Red or pink spotty rash - Lumps in neck or behind your arms - If foetus gets rubella in first trimester, baby will likely be born with many problems - eye problems, hearing problems and heart damage - If foetus gets rubella between second or third trimester, problems are usually milder

Question 32

Between what Months and Weeks do the 5 developments stages take place in the first trimester of pregnancy ? and state the developments that take place:

Answer 32

* 1- 3 months * 1- 13 weeks 1. As the fertilised egg grows, the amniotic sac develops which helps protect the embryo through pregnancy (1M,1-4 wks) 2. The placenta develops which transfers nutrients from the mother to baby and transfers waste from the baby (2Ms,5-8wks) 3. The baby’s body structure and organ systems develop (2Ms,5 - 8wks) 4. Miscarriages and birth defects can happen during this time (2Ms, 5 - 8wks) 5. Many women experience symptoms like nausea, fatigue,breast tenderness and frequent urination (3Ms,9 - 13wks)

Question 33

Between what Months and Weeks do the 4 developments stages take place in the second trimester of pregnancy? and state the developments that take place:

Answer 33

* 4 - 6 months * 14 - 26 weeks 1. The body will grow to be in proportion (4Ms,14 - 17 wks) 2. The baby’s gender is known and facial features also develop rapidly (5Ms,14 - 17wks) 3. The baby has developed and functioning organs, nerves and muscles (6Ms,22 - 26wks) 4. Skeletal bones are also developing (6Ms,22 - 26wks)

Question 34

Between what Months and Weeks do the 4 development stages take place in the third trimester of pregnancy? and state the developments that take place:

Answer 34

* 7 - 9 months * 27 - 40 weeks 1. Most internal systems are well developed (7Ms,27 - 30wks) 2. The lungs mature towards the end of the pregnancy (7Ms,27 - 30wks) 3. The skeleton is fully developed although bones continue to harden (8Ms,31 - 35wks) 4. Towards end of this stage, baby’s head descends into the mothers pelvis ready for birth (9Ms, 36 - 40wks)