Chapter 7 - Sexual Reproduction in Humans. Flashcards
What does the male reproductive system consist of?
- A pair of testes contained in the scrotum.
- The penis.
- Ducts connecting the testes with the penis (vas deferens and the urethra).
- Accessory glands (seminal vesicles, prostate gland etc.).
What happens in the seminiferous tubules?
The cells lining them undergo sperm formation and throughout the process, move towards the the lumen, running through the middle of the tube.
What do the seminal vesicles do?
They secrete mucus which helps sperm mobility (contains fructose respired by the sperm).
What does the prostate gland do?
It produces an alkaline secretion that neutralises any urine left in urethra and aids in sperm mobility.
What do sertoli cells do?
They secrete a fluid which nourishes spermatids and protects them from the male’s immune system.
What are the stages in spermatogenesis?
- Germinal Epithelial Cells (Mitosis).
- Spermatogonia (Mitosis).
- Primary spermatocytes (Meiosis I).
- Secondary spermatocytes (Meiosis II).
- Spermatids (Differentiation).
- Spermatozoan.
What do interstitial cells (AKA. Leydig cells) do?
They secrete testosterone which has a role in sperm formation and maturation.
What are the layers of the uterus wall?
- Myometrium muscle layer.
- Endometrium, it’s a mucous membrane which is well supplied with blood. It is the layer which builds and is shed in a monthly cycle, unless an oocyte is fertilised.
What are the stages of oogenesis?
- Germinal epithelial cells (Mitosis).
- Oogonia (Mitosis).
- Primary Oocytes (Meiosis I).
- Secondary Oocyte +Polar body (Meiosis II).
- Ovum + 2nd polar body (Only happens after fertilisation).
Where does Oogenesis have breaks?
-Primary Oocytes start to divide by mitosis but stop at Prophase I. Then, at puberty FSH stimulates one each month to complete Meiosis I and get to Metaphase II where it stops unless its fertilised.
How does a Graafian Follicle develop?
Some germinal epithelial cells also divide by mitosis to form follicle cells which surround the primary oocytes to form primary follicles. FSH will then cause one each month to develop into a secondary follicle and then forms a Graafian follicle.
What is the structure of a Graafian Follicle?
- Secondary Oocyte.
- Zona Pellucida.
- Corona Radiata.
- Antrum.
- Theca.
What is the the temporary gland formed when the graafian follicle ruptures and what hormone does it produce if fertilised?
The corpus luteum which produces progesterone that maintains the endometrium.
What happens to the corpus luteum is the oocyte isn’t fertilised?
It regresses.
What in the oocytes prevents the entry of more than one sperm?
Cortical granules, they’re secretory organelles.
What is a major difference between spermatogenesis and oogenesis?
A primary spermatocyte will produce four gametes but a primary oocytes produces only one (Due to the polar body created).