Chapter 28: Female Reproductive System Study Guide

Question 1

What are the purposes of the female reproductive system? (4)

Answer 1

1) Produces and delivers gametes
2) Provides nutrition and safe harbor for fetal development
3) Gives birth
4) Nourishes infant

Question 2

1) What organs/ducts are considered internal genitalia for females?
2) What organs/ducts are considered external genitalia for females?
3) What organ is considered primary sex organ for females?
4) What organs/ducts are considered secondary sex organs for females?

Answer 2

1) Internal: Ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, and vagina
2) External: Clitoris, labia minora, and labia majora
3) Primary: Ovaries
4) Secondary: Other internal and external genitalia

Question 3

1) The ovaries, which are the female gonads, produce what? Are they primary sex organs or secondary sex organs?
2) The ovary lacks ducts comparable to the seminiferous tubules; instead, each egg develops in its own ________.
3) Similar to the testes, it has the tunica ________________ capsule.

Answer 3

1) Egg cells (ova) and sex hormones; they’re primary sex organs.
2) fluid-filled follicle
3) tunica albuginia capsule

Question 4

1) What develops in the outer cortex of the ovary?
2) What is found in the medulla?
3) What happens during ovulation?

Answer 4

1) Germ cells develop in the outer cortex of the ovary
2) Inner medulla of ovary occupied by major arteries and veins
3) Bursting of the follicle and releasing of the egg

Question 5

1) What is the uterus and what is its function?
2) The uterine wall is made up of three layers, what are those layers from outermost to deepest?
3) What inferior cylinder projects into the vagina?
4) What is the cervical canal?
5) What is the function of the cervical glands?

Answer 5

1) A thick muscular chamber; it’s the site of gestation, provides a source of nutrition, and expels the fetus at the end of its development
2) Perimetrium, myometrium (smooth muscle) and endometrium
3) The cervix
4) Cervical canal connects uterus to vagina
5) Secrete mucus that prevents spread of microorganisms from vagina to uterus

Question 6

1) What is the function of the vagina?
2) What is the hymen?
3) What is the inner mucosa of the uterus called, and what cells is it made of?

Answer 6

1) Allows for discharge of menstrual fluid, receipt of penis and semen, and birth of baby
2) Mucosal folds form hymen across vaginal opening; ruptures with intercourse
3) The endometrium; simple columnar cells.

Question 7

What are the stratum functionalis and stratum basalis of the uterus and what are their purposes?

Answer 7

1) Functional layer (stratum functionalis): superficial layer of endometrium, shed each menstrual period
2) Basal layer (stratum basalis): deep layer, stays behind and regenerates a new functional layer with each menstrual cycle

Question 8

During pregnancy the endometrium is important for two reasons, what are they?

Answer 8

1) It’s the site of attachment of the embryo
2) It forms the maternal part of the placenta

Question 9

1) What are scientific names for the female’s external genitalia?
2) What structure is a homolog to the male’s scrotum?
3) What structure is a homolog to the males’ bulbourethral glands?

Answer 9

1) External genitalia is called the vulva or pudendum
2) The labia majora
3) The greater and lesser vestibular and paraurethral glands

Question 10

Know the locations and any functions associated with the:
1) Mons pubis
2) Labia majora
3) Labia minora
4) Clitoris
5) Greater and lesser vestibular glands.

Answer 10

1) Mons pubis: mound of fat over pubic symphysis bearing most of the pubic hair
2) Labia majora: pair of thick folds of skin and adipose tissue inferior to the mons (homolog to male scrotum)
3) Labia minora: thin, hairless folds medial to labia majora
4) Clitoris: erectile, sensory organ and the primary center for sexual stimulation
5) Greater and lesser vestibular and paraurethral glands (homolog to male bulbourethral glands) open into vestibule for lubrication

Question 11

1) The breast is superficial to what muscle?
2) Internally, the nonlactating breast consists mostly of what type of tissues?
3) When does the mammary gland develop?
4) What is one of the leading causes of female mortality?

Answer 11

1) Pectoralis major
2) Mostly adipose tissue; very little mammary gland
3) Develops within the breast during pregnancy (remains active in the lactating breast, atrophies when a woman ceases to nurse)
4) Breast cancer

Question 12

1) Where does breast cancer begin? Where does it metastasize?
2) What are the signs of breast cancer?

Answer 12

1) Tumors begin with cells from mammary ducts; may metastasize by mammary and axillary lymphatics
2) Lump, skin puckering, changes in skin texture, and drainage from nipple

Question 13

1) Around what age does puberty begin for most girls? Who goes through puberty sooner, females or males?
2) What organ matures to trigger puberty and what hormone does it secrete?
3) Rising levels of GnRH stimulate secretion of what two hormones from the anterior pituitary?

Answer 13

1) Age 8 to 10 for most girls in U.S.; females go through puberty sooner
2) The hypothalamus, secretes GnRh
3) FSH and LH from anterior pituitary

Question 14

1) What stimulates development of the ovarian follicles?
2) What 4 things do the ovarian follicles secrete?
3) What are the feminizing hormones?

Answer 14

1) FSH stimulates development of the ovarian follicles
2) Ovarian follicles secrete estrogens, progesterone, inhibin, and a small amount of androgen
3) Estrogens are feminizing hormones with widespread effects on the body (estradiol most abundant, estriol, and estrone)

Question 15

1) Define menarche.
2) What percent body fat is required for this to occur?
3) What would happen if an adult female’s body fat dropped below 22%?
4) Is every menstrual cycle ovulatory?

Answer 15

1) First menstrual period
2) At least 17% body fat in teenagers
3) Her menstruation would stop
4) No; the first few menstrual cycles are anovulatory (no egg ovulated). Most begin ovulating regularly about a year after they begin menstruating

Question 16

Name the 5 puberty changes stimulated by estradiol

Answer 16

1) Stimulates growth of ovaries and secondary sex organs
2) Stimulates growth hormone secretion
3) Increase in height and widening of pelvis
4) Stimulates fat deposition (breast, hips, etc…)
5) Thickens skin (but girls’ skin is still thinner, softer, and warmer than boys)

Question 17

What organ does progesterone primarily target?

Answer 17

The uterus; preparing it for possible pregnancy in the second half of the menstrual cycle

Question 18

1) What is climacteric? What does it culminate in with females?
2) Climacteric starts when a female has about how many follicles left?
3) How does HRT work?

Answer 18

1) Period of decreased reproductive capacity that culminates in menopause (the end of menstruation)
2) About 1,000 follicles left
3) Low doses of estrogen and progesterone relieve some symptoms of climacteric and menopause.

Question 19

What are some of the changes that occur with climacteric? (9)

Answer 19

1) Follicles less responsive to gonadotropins – secrete less estrogen and progesterone
2) Uterus, vagina, and breast atrophy
3) Intercourse may become uncomfortable
4) Vaginal infections more common
5) Skin becomes thinner
6) Cholesterol levels rise, increasing risk of cardiovascular disease
7) Bone mass declines, increasing risk of osteoporosis
8) Blood vessels constrict and dilate in response to shifting hormone balances
9) Dilations may produce hot flashes: spreading sense of heat from abdomen to thorax, neck, and face

Question 20

1) Define oogenesis.
2) Are the gametes haploids or diploids? Is this mitosis or meiosis?
3) What is cyclic?

Answer 20

1) Oogenesis: egg production
2) Haploid gametes produced by meiosis
3) Oogenesis is a cyclic event that normally releases one egg each month; accompanied by cyclic changes in hormone secretion and in the histological structure of the ovaries and uterus (uterus changes result in the menstrual flow)

Question 21

1) When does oogenesis begin and how many eggs were generated?
2) How many eggs remain by the time the female child is born?
3) They are transformed into ________ and arrested in what stage of meiosis?
4) How many eggs remain by the time the female child reaches puberty?

Answer 21

1) Begins in the fetal period; 6-7 million
2) Around 2 million
3) Transformed into primary oocytes and arrested in Prophase I
4) 200,000 oocytes at puberty

Question 22

Define atresia

Answer 22

Degeneration (of oocytes)

Question 23

1) What is the function of FSH? How many cohort oocytes are stimulated each month?
2) How many are designed to complete meiosis? What happens to the rest?

Answer 23

1) Stimulates monthly cohorts of about 20-24 oocytes to complete meiosis
2) Only one will complete meiosis 1; the rest will die

Question 24

1) What happen to the surviving oocyte that completed meiosis 1? Is it a diploid or a haploid?
2) What is the difference between a secondary oocyte and a polar body?
3) What is the purpose of unequal cytokinesis as it relates to an egg?

Answer 24

1) Primary oocytes are diploid and will divide into two haploid daughter cells (unequal cytokinesis) producing a secondary oocyte and a first polar body.
2) A secondary oocyte is a large daughter cell that has most of the cytoplasm since if fertilized, must undergo mitosis, producing numerous daughter cells. A first polar body is the smaller daughter cell that ultimately disintegrates and a means of discarding the extra set of haploid chromosomes.
3) Allows the secondary oocyte to have most of the cytoplasm so it can undergo mitosis and produce numerous daughter cells if fertilized

Question 25

1) At what phase is the secondary oocyte arrested?
2) What happens if it is fertilized?
3) What happens if it is not fertilized?

Answer 25

1) Arrested in Metaphase II
2) If fertilized, it completes meiosis II and casts off a second polar body
3) If not fertilized, it dies and never finishes meiosis

Question 26

For each stage of follicle development, identify whether the oocyte is a diploid or haploid:
1) Primordial follicle
2) Primary follicle
3) Secondary follicle
4) Mature (tertiary, Graafian) follicle.

Answer 26

1) Primordial follicle: Diploid (primary oocyte)
2) Primary follicle: Diploid (primary oocyte)
3) Secondary follicle: Diploid (primary oocyte)
4) Mature (tertiary, Graafian) follicle: Haploid (secondary oocyte)

Question 27

1) Define ovulation
2) Unlike the spermatogenesis, which produces ______ equal-sized sperm, in oogenesis only ____ mature cell is produced

Answer 27

1) Ejection of the oocyte from the follicle
2) Unlike the spermatogenesis, which produces 4 equal-sized sperm, in oogenesis only 1 mature cell is produced

Question 28

List the 5 steps of follicle development in order.

Answer 28

1) Primordial follicle (with primary oocyte)
2) Primary follicle (with primary oocyte)
3) Secondary follicle (with primary oocyte)
4) Mature, tertiary Graafian) follicle (with secondary oocyte)
5) Ovulation

Question 29

Know how the following structures get formed and in what order:
1) Corpus hemorrhagicum
2) Corpus luteum
3) Corpus albicans.

Answer 29

1) Corpus hemmorhagicum: a ruptured follicle from ovulation which turns into:
2) Corpus luteum: the ruptured follicle transforms into a yellow gland that produces estrogens, progesterone, and inhibin. If no pregnancy, turns into:
3) Corpus albicans: scar tissue

Question 30

1) Define the reproductive cycle.
2) Define the sexual cycle.
3) What makes up the sexual cycle?

Answer 30

1) Reproductive cycle: sequence of events from fertilization to giving birth and returning to fertility
2) Sexual cycle: events that recur every month when pregnancy does not intervene; consists of two interrelated cycles controlled by shifting hormone levels.
3) The ovarian cycle and the menstrual cycle

Question 31

1) What are the three phases of the ovarian cycle in order?
2) What are the three phases of the uterine cycle in order?

Answer 31

1) Ovarian cycle: Follicular phase, ovulation, luteal phase
2) Uterine cycle: Menstrual phase, proliferative phase, secretory phase

Question 32

1) What is the average length of the sexual cycle?
2) List the 4 steps of the basic hierarchy of hormonal control of the sexual cycle in order.

Answer 32

1) Averages 28 days, varies from 20 to 45 days
2) Hypothalamus > pituitary > ovaries > uterus

Question 33

1) How long will the follicular phase of the sexual cycle last?
2) During the follicular phase, what is happening in the uterus?
3) What is happening in the ovary during the follicular phase?
4) Where does ovulation fit in during the follicular phase?

Answer 33

1) 2 weeks
2) Menstruation occurs during first 3 to 5 days of cycle and the uterus replaces lost tissue by mitosis and cohort of follicles grow
3) Ovulation occurs around day 14, and the remainder of that follicle becomes corpus luteum
4) Ovulation occurs at the end of the follicular phase

Question 34

1) After the follicular phase of the sexual cycle is over, what is the next phase called? What structure in the ovary is stimulating the endometrial lining of the uterus?
2) What is happening in the uterus during this phase?
3) What is happening in the ovary during this phase?
4) What then happens to the uterus if pregnancy does not occur?

Answer 34

1) Luteal phase; Corpus luteum stimulates endometrial secretion and thickening
2) Endometrial secretion and thickening occur in uterus; if pregnancy does not occur, endometrium breaks down in the last 2 days
3) Ovulation has just occurred
4) The endometrium breaks down, menstruation begins and the cycle starts over

Question 35

1) Looking at the ovarian cycle, what is the follicular phase? How long does this last?
2) How long does ovulation normally lasts?
3) What hormone spiked to stimulate ovulation?
4) Day 15 to day 28 is the luteal phase, and during this time the ovary is producing large amount of what hormone? What is this hormone designed to target?
5) What is the corpus albicans?

Answer 35

1) It’s the preovulatory phase; on standard cycle occurs from Days 1-14, but is most variable part of cycle
2) Takes 2 to 3 minutes to release secondary oocyte with its corona radiate (rupture from ovary)
3) LH
4) Produces 10x as much progesterone to prepare the uterus for possible pregnancy
5) If pregnancy does not occur, corpus luteum degenerates into a corpus albicans (scar tissue).

Question 36

What type of feedback does the follicular phase start with? What does it end with?

Answer 36

Starts with positive feedback, ends with negative feedback

Question 37

1) During the follicular phase, the cycle starts with positive feedback; why?
2) Describe how the hormones involved in this positive feedback work (3 steps).

Answer 37

1) To stimulate growth of 20 to 24 follicles
2)
a) Hypothalamus releases GnRH which stimulates release of FSH and LH from anterior pituitary
b) FSH and LH stimulate growth of 20-24 follicles
c) Follicles release estrogen which stimulates hypothalamus/pituitary to release more FSH and LH

Question 38

1) During the follicular phase later stages, the cycle switches to a negative feedback; why?
2) Describe how the hormones involved in this negative feedback work (3 steps).

Answer 38

1) To eliminate all follicles but one.
2)
a) Estrogen released from follicles inhibits hypothalamus and anterior pituitary, decreasing the amount of FSH and LH released.
b) Inhibin is released from the follicles which further suppresses FSH release.
c) The largest follicle up-regulates its receptors and captures most or all of the released FSH and LH; rest of the follicles degenerate due to lack of FSH and LH

Question 39

1) The surviving follicle matures, but the cycle has switched back to positive feedback; why? What stage is this?
2) How do the hormones involved in this positive feedback work? (4 steps)

Answer 39

1) To induce ovulation of the secondary oocyte from a mature follicle; ovulation
2)
a) The amount of estrogen released from the mature follicle reaches a critically high level.
b) This stimulates the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary to release a large amount (“surge”) of LH.
c) LH stimulates the primary oocyte to finish meiosis 1 as well as stimulating ovulation.
d) The secondary oocyte is released and the ruptured follicle (corpus hemorrhagicum) is transformed into the gland (corpus luteum) which produces progesterone, inhibin and estrogens

Question 40

1) Once a corpus luteum is formed, the cycle switches back to a negative feedback; why? What phase is this?
2) What hormones are used during this negative feedback? (3 steps)

Answer 40

1) To prevent development and ovulation of more follicles in case the egg is fertilized. Luteal phase.
2)
a) The corpus luteum produces estrogens and progesterone which inhibit the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary.
b) The amount of FSH and LH released decreases.
c) The corpus luteum also releases inhibin which specifically inhibits FSH release.

Question 41

1) Inhibin selectively suppresses ______ secretion. What structures release inhibin?
2) Progesterone acts primarily on the ________, preparing it for possible pregnancy in the second half of each menstrual cycle.
3) High estrogen and progesterone suppress FSH and LH secretion during the luteal phase through ______________ feedback inhibition.
4) What two things do declining progesterone levels do in the follicular phase if pregnancy doesn’t occur?

Answer 41

1) suppresses FSH; corpus luteum releases inhibin
2) Uterus
3) negative
4) Menstrual phase in the uterus and repeat of follicular phase in the ovaries

Question 42

1) What occurs during menstruation?
2) Which phase of the menstrual cycle is rebuilding the functional layer of the endometrium?

Answer 42

1) Consists of a buildup of endometrium during most of the sexual cycle, followed by its breakdown and vaginal discharge
2) Proliferative phase

Question 43

What are the four phases of the menstrual (uterine) cycle? Describe each

Answer 43

1) Proliferative phase: rebuilding of functional layer of endometrium that was lost in last menstruation, days 5-14
2) Secretory phase: endometrium thickens more in response to progesterone from corpus luteum, days 15-26
3) Premenstrual phase: period of endometrial degeneration, last 2 days
4) Menstrual phase: discharge of menstrual fluid from the vagina, days 1-5.

Question 44

1) What hormone stimulates mitosis to reform the functional layer and stimulates endometrial cells to produce more progesterone receptors, and what phase of the menstrual cycle is this?
2) What phase of the menstrual cycle triggers the endometrial glands to secrete glycogen? What does glycogen provide?
3) What happens during the secretory phase?

Answer 44

1) Estrogen; proliferative phase
2) Secretory phase; provides a soft, wet, nutritious bed available for embryonic development
3) Endometrial glands secrete glycogen, endometrium thickens more in response to progesterone from corpus luteum due to secretion and fluid accumulation.

Question 45

1) Which phase of the menstrual cycle is thickening the endometrial lining? What ovary structure is producing progesterone?
2) Which phase of the menstrual cycle is the last two days of the cycle where the endometrium is degenerating and showing tissue necrosis? What is endometrial ischemia?
3) Which phase of the menstrual cycle is represented by the discharge of fluid from the vagina? Is this day 1 of the new cycle or the end of the previous cycle?

Answer 45

1) Secretory phase; corpus luteum produces progesterone
2) Premenstrual phase; causes interrupted blood flow (endometrial ischemia)
3) Menstrual phase; this is day 1 of the new cycle

Question 46

1) What does menstrual blood contain to prevent clotting?
2) What hormone’s levels fall during the premenstrual phase?
3) Pools of blood accumulate in the functional layer during what phase of menstruation?

Answer 46

1) Fibrinolysin
2) Progesterone
3) Premenstrual phase