Biology - Human Reproduction ππ½ββοΈ Flashcards
What are primary sexual characteristics?
They are sexual characteristics present at birth. They are exclusive to the sex of the individual. They comprise of external and internal genitalia.
What are some examples of primary sexual characteristics in men?
- The penis
- The testes
What are some examples of primary sexual characteristics in women?
- The vagina
- The ovary/ovaries.
What are secondary sexual characteristics?
They are sexual characteristics that develop during puberty for humans, or sexual maturity for animals. They are mostly exclusive to the sex of the individual.
What are some examples of secondary sexual characteristics found mostly in men?
- More body hair
- More developed muscles
- More facial hair
- A deeper voice than most women
What are some examples of secondary sexual characteristics found mostly in women?
- Breasts
- Wider hips
- A higher voice than most men
- Little facial/body hair
What is the purpose of primary sexual characteristics?
They enable humans to reproduce.
What is the purpose of secondary sexual characteristics?
They differentiate men and woman.
What are the hormones responsible for secondary sexual characteristics in men?
Testosterone, made by testes.
What are the hormones responsible for secondary sexual characteristics in women?
Oestrogen, made by ovaries.
When does puberty occur?
At age 11-14 for females.
At age 13-15 for males.
What makes puberty occur?
It starts when the pituitary gland sends hormones to the genital organs.
What changes occur during puberty in women?
- Female secondary sexual characteristics develop
- Ovaries start releasing egg cells, and menstruation starts.
What changes occur during puberty in men?
- Male secondary sexual characteristics develop
- Testes start producing sperm cells.
What secondary sexual characteristics commonly occur in all genders?
- Pubic hair develops
- Underarm hair develops
- Sexual organs mature
Do emotional changes occur during puberty?
Yes!
What is the penis?
The male organ inserted into the female vagina during sexual intercourse.
What are the testes?
The two male organs that make sperm cells and testosterone.
How are the two testes contained?
They are contained in a bag-like structure called the scrotum, which is outside the body.
Why are the testes contained out of the body?
Inside the body it is too warm, and sperm die. Outside the body, they are kept at the right temperature.
What are the two functions of the penis?
- Passing out urine
- Passing semen
What is the epididymis?
There are two of them. They are a mass of coils that connects the testicles to the vas deferens / sperm duct.
What is the vas deferens / sperm duct?
The sperm pass through this from the epididymis.
Where do the sperm ducts lead to?
They are lead to the ejaculatory ducts. Here the sperms are mixed with fluids.
Why are sperm mixed with fluids in the ejaculatory ducts?
The sperm need nourishment to survive, and need to be protected from acidic conditions coming their way.
What are the two parts that help produce fluids for the sperm to be mixed with in the ejaculatory ducts?
The prostate gland and the seminal vesicles.
What is the function of the seminal vesicles?
It secretes a fluid that helps nourish the sperms.
What is the function of the prostate glands?
It secretes the prostate fluid.
What is the Cooperβs gland / Bulbourethral gland?
It is the gland that provides the final secretion of fluid that forms semen.
What is the mixture of sperm and fluids called?
Semen.
What is the urethra?
The tube were the semen leaves the penis, and enters the female. It can also carry urine.
Why does sperm not mix with urine?
There is a ring of muscle that prevents this.
Are sperm unicellular or multicellular?
They are unicellular. They contain a nucleus, mitochondria to provide energy, and a tail to propel it. The tail lets it move on its own, which means sperm are motile.
What processes take place / things happen in the female reproductive system?
Ovum production, Fertilization, and The uterus - which is where a foetus grows.
What are the ovaries? Why are there two of them?
The two female organs that holds hundreds of undeveloped female sex cells called egg cells. There are two because each ovulation, a different one releases an egg.
Around how many egg cells do women have in their ovaries?
2 Million!