Biology 30 - Female reproductive system

Question 1

Vagina

Answer 1

• Site of deposition of semen during sexual intercourse
• Also known as the birth canal : allows the passage of the baby from the uterus to the external environment

Question 2

Uterus

Answer 2

• Also know as the womb
• Size of a pear
• Has the ability to expand

Question 3

Endometrium

Answer 3

• Inner lining of the uterus
• Site of implantation

Question 4

Fallopian tubes

Answer 4

• Normal site of fertilization

Question 5

Fimbriae

Answer 5

• Finger like projections that sweep the egg from the ovaries to the fallopian tubes during ovulation

Question 6

Ovary

Answer 6

• Almond shaped
• Site of development for the follicle/egg
• Site of production of the hormones estrogen & progesterone

Question 7

What does “…cm dilated” mean?

Answer 7

• It refers to the softening & size of opening of the cervix

Question 8

Ovum

Answer 8

• Matured egg

Question 9

What do the follicular cells of an egg after ovulation become?

Answer 9

• They become the corpus luteum

Question 10

FSH

Answer 10

• Stimulates one follicle to complete its development (Begin meiosis 1)

Question 11

LH

Answer 11

1. Triggers ovulation: Causes an egg to be released from the ovary to the fallopian tubes
2. Remaining follicular cells that were surrounding the oocyte under the influence of LH forms the corpus luteum

Question 12

Estrogen

Answer 12

• Responsible for secondary sex characteristics in women
• Also the development of the primary female reproductive organs
• Responsible for the thickening of the endometrial lining (In anticipation of implantation)

Question 13

Oocyte

Answer 13

• Immature egg

Question 14

Progesterone

Answer 14

• Promotes & maintains the endometial lining
  *promotes = increases blood flow to the area (more oxygen & nutrients) which allows estrogen to do its job of thickening the endometrial lining more effectively
  *maintains = inhibits uterine contractions (if the uterus cant contract then there is no shedding of the endometrial lining)

Question 15

Corpus luteum

Answer 15

• Remaining cells that were surrounding the egg in the ovaries under the influence of LH at the end of ovulation forms the corpus luteum

Question 16

Oogonia

Answer 16

• Immature female reproductive cell

Question 17

Similarities between spermatogenesis & oogenesis

Answer 17

• Initial development (ovary = seminiferous tubules)
• Final development (fallopian tubes = epididymus)

Question 18

HGC (Human chorionic gonadotropin)

Answer 18

• Maintains corpus lutuem

Question 19

How do birth control pills work?

Answer 19

• Many of the pills have estrogen & progesterone
  *estrogen = inhibits FSH - nothing stimulated the development of a follicle
  *progesterone = inhibits LH - phase of ovulation does not occur

Question 20

1. Flow (menstrual) phase

Answer 20

• Day 1-5
• Occurs because there is no pregnancy
• Because of no pregnancy the corpus lutuem degenerates (results = progesterone & estrogen levels drop)
• Uterine starts to contract and the endometrium is shed (Because of low progesterone levels)
• Low estrogen levels = stimulates another follicle to develop

Question 21

2. Follicular phase

Answer 21

• Day 6-13
• Follicle really taking off in development and releases estrogen, FSH levels drop
• Follicle continues to develop, estrogen levels rise a lot
• At the end of the phase, high levels of estrogen = positive feedback on burst of LH = leads to ovulation

Question 22

3. Ovulation

Answer 22

• Day 14
• Egg’s relased into the fallopian tubes

Question 23

4. Luteal phase

Answer 23

• Day 15-28 (until menstruation)
• Corpus luteum develops if there is no pregnancy
• Estrogen & progesterone are being produced by the corpus luteum

Question 24

Menarche

Answer 24

• The onset of first period

Question 25

Menopause

Answer 25

• End of fertility period (late 40’s, early 50’s)