Chapter 12 - The Reproductive System And Genetics Flashcards
What is the name of the male gamete?
The sperm
What is the name of the female gamete?
The egg
What is the role of the testicles?
To produce sperm
What is the role of the scrotum?
To hold the testicles outside the body at a temperature ideal for the production of sperm.
What is the role of the sperm duct?
To carry sperm from the testicles to the urethra.
What is the role of both the seminal vesicles and the prostate gland?
To produce semen which will nourish the sperm.
What is the role of the penis?
The penis is a spongy tissue that is placed inside the woman’s body to transfer semen.
What is the role of the ovaries?
To produce the egg and hormones.
What is the role of the Fallopian tubes?
To carry the egg form the ovaries to the womb.
Where does fertilisation take place?
The Fallopian tubes
What the a the name of the entrance of the womb?
The cervix
What is the vagina?
The vagina holds the penis and allows the baby to pass out of the body.
What is puberty?
The time when the sex organs mature and other physical changes that place.
Name 2 changes that occurs to males during puberty.
1) The penis and testicles grow in size
2) The shoulders broaden and there is an increase in muscle mass
Name 2 changes that occurs to females during puberty.
1) The breasts grow in size
2) The hips widen
What is the menstrual cycle?
The menstrual cycle is a series of changes that take place to prepare the female body for pregnancy.
How long is an average menstrual cycle?
28 days
What is menstruation? When does it occur?
Menstruation occurs on day 1-5 of the cycle. It is when the lining of the womb is broken down and shed.
What is ovulation? When does it occur?
Ovulation occurs on day 13-15. It is when the egg is released from the ovary to the Fallopian tube to make it available for fertilisation.
When is the fertile period? What is it?
The fertile period is when fertilisation is most likely to occur. The egg is released from the ovary and the lining of the uterus thickens. It is from days 11-17.
Explain how fertilisation occurs.
1) Intercourse - The penis enters the vagina
2) Ejaculation - The penis releases sperm into the vagina
3) Fertilisation - The sperm reaches the egg in the Fallopian tubes to form a zygote
4) Conception - Once the zygote forms it divides many times and travels down the Fallopian tubes and into the womb
5) Implantation - The ball of cells reaches the womb and attaches itself to the lining. The zygote is now said to be an embryo
What is the name of the fluid which surrounds and protects the foetus?
Amniotic fluid
What is the role of the umbilical cord?
It connects the foetus to the placenta.
State 2 roles of the placenta
1) To transport digested food and oxygen to the foetus.
2) To transport wastes and carbon dioxide away from the foetus
Describe two labours that take place before birth.
1) The bag of amniotic fluid breaks
2) The muscles of the womb’s wall contract to cause the cervix to widen
Describe what happens at birth
The baby’s head is pushed out of the womb and through the vagina into the world.
Mention 2 things that occur after the birth of the baby
1) The umbilical cord is cut and the baby breaths for itself for the first time
2) The placenta comes loose from the womb wall and passes out of the mother’s body as the after birth
What is contraception?
A means of preventing fertilisation and/or implantation form occurring.
Give an example of a contraceptive
A condom prevents sperm entering the female’s body
What is genetics?
The study of heredity
What are inheritable characteristics?
Characteristics controlled by genes e.g. Eye colour
What are non-inheritable characteristics?
Ones that we must learn e.g. How to ride a bike
What are chromosomes?
Chromosomes are thread like structures in the nucleus of plant and animal cells.
What are chromosomes made of?
DNA and protein
What are genes?
Genes are a section of the DNA in a chromosome. They are responsible for making proteins in a cell. Genes control out inheritable characteristics. Of
How many chromosomes do cells have?
An average cell has 46 chromosomes whereas a gamete has 23.
What is a gamete?
A sex cell
