chapter 15 - production of sex cells

Question 1

what is the erectile tissue

Answer 1

• three cylinders of sponge like spaces which fill with blood, causing the one is to become erect

Question 2

what is the urethra

Answer 2

• carries semen and urine out of the body

Question 3

what is the foreskin

Answer 3

• covers head of end of the penis may be removed through circumcision

Question 4

what are the seminal vesicles

Answer 4

• pair of pouch like organs behind the bladder, secrete fluid rich in sugars which makes up 60% of somen

Question 5

what is the prostate gland

Answer 5

• single gland surrounding the urethra, where two sperm ducts join, secretes an alkaline milky fluid that helps activate the sperm

Question 6

what are the bulbo-urethral glands

Answer 6

• secrete a mucous fluid that becomes part of the semen

Question 7

what is the scrotum

Answer 7

• holds testes outside the body for optimum temperature of 35 degrees (so that meiosis can occur)

Question 8

what are the vas deferens

Answer 8

• (sperm duct), carries sperm from testes to the urethra

Question 9

what are the testes

Answer 9

• produce make sex cell spermatozoa (sperm)

Question 10

what are the epididymis

Answer 10

• one in each testes, stores sperm for 6 weeks while they mature
• 5-6 meters in length

Question 11

what are the seminiferous tubules

Answer 11

• produce sperm by meiosis in the testes

Question 12

what are the interstitial cells

Answer 12

• cells between the seminiferous tubules which secrete male hormone testosterone

Question 13

what are spermatozoa

Answer 13

• production take 72 days, first produced at onset of puberty (12-13 years), formed continually throughout lifetime
• function: fuse with ovum to form a zygote
• head: contains nucleus (chromosomes), and acrosomes which are a digestive enzyme which breaks through membrane of egg
• neck: many mitochondria, converts fructose in semen into energy
• tail: flagella, movement for swimming

Question 14

what is testosterone

Answer 14

• male hormone responsible for the development of the primary and secondary male sexual characteristics

Question 15

what are the primary and secondary male sex characteristics

Answer 15

• P: presence of the male reproductive parts
• S: growth of pubic hair, facial and body hair, voice development, growth spurt at puberty, increased secretion of sebum in the skin

Question 16

what is the vagina

Answer 16

• receives penis during intercourse and forms birth canal

Question 17

what is the uterus

Answer 17

• muscular structure that holds embryo / foetus during pregnancy
• inner lining (endometrium) thickens during pregnancy

Question 18

what is the clitoris

Answer 18

• contains erectile tissue, blood vessels and nerves

Question 19

what are the fallopian / uterine tubes / oviducts

Answer 19

• carries eggs to uterus

- where fertilisation occurs

Question 20

what are fimbriae

Answer 20

• projections from the uterine tubes that catch eggs after ovulation and move egg by cilia and peristalsis (muscular contractions) along the tubes

Question 21

what is the cervix

Answer 21

• opening of the uterus

Question 22

what are the ovaries

Answer 22

• produce ova (eggs) and female hormones

Question 23

what is the hymen

Answer 23

• covers the vagina, may be torn during females first time having intercourse

Question 24

what is the vulva

Answer 24

• exterior of female reproductive system

Question 25

what is the labia majora

Answer 25

• fleshy folds of skin, contain glands that produce an oily secretion

Question 26

what is the labia minora

Answer 26

• smaller folds of skin, surround space in which urethra / vagina open

Question 27

what is oestrogen

Answer 27

• responsible for primary and secondary sex characteristics

Question 28

what is progesterone

Answer 28

• maintainence of endometrium during pregnancy, development of placenta / milk production and secretion

Question 29

what are the female primary and secondary sex characteristics

Answer 29

• P: presence of female reproductive parts

- S: enlarging or breasts, broadening of hips, pubic and underarm hair

Question 30

what is the penis

Answer 30

• organ for passing urine and to introduce sperm into the female reproductive system