Chr. 28 - The Reproductive Systems Flashcards
[28.1] What are the gonads?
Organs that produce gametes and secrete sex hormones. Testes in males and ovaries in females.
[28.1] What is the function of ducts of the reproductive system?
Storage and transport of gametes.
[28.1] What is the function of accessory sex glands?
Produce substances protecting gametes and facilitating their movement.
[28.1] What are supporting structures of the reproductive system?
Structures assisting delivery of gametes, such as the penis and uterus.
[28.1] List the major groups of organs of the male reproductive system.
- The testes
- The system of ducts
- Accessory glands
- Supporting structures.
[28.1] List the components of the male system of ducts.
- Epididymis
- Ductus deferens
- Ejaculatory ducts
- Urethra
[28.1] List the accessory glands of the male reproductive system.
- Seminal vesicles
- Prostate
- Bulbourethral glands
[28.1] List the supporting structures of the male reproductive system.
- Penis
- Scrotum
- Spermatic cord (mentioned later)
[28.1] What is the scrotum?
A supporting structure for the testes composed of loose skin and underlying subcutaneous layer hanging from the root of the penis.
[28.1] What is the raphe?
A median ridge of the scrotum separating the scrotum into lateral portions.
[28.1] What is the scrotal septum?
The medial internal division of the scrotum. Composed of a subcutaneous layer and the dartos muscle.
[28.1] What is the dartos muscle?
A bundle of smooth muscle within the subcutaneous layer of the scrotal septum
[28.1] What is a cremaster muscle?
Two series of small bands of skeletal muscle descending as an extension of the internal oblique on each side. Passes through the spermatic cord and surrounds each testes.
[28.1] What is the function of the dartos and cremaster muscle?
Contraction to move the testes closer to the body in order to maintain optimal temperature. Results in wrinkled appearance. Exposure to warmth causes relaxation.
[28.1] Describe the testes.
Paired oval glands within the scrotum. Develop near the kidneys and descent during fetal development.
[28.1] What is the tunica vaginalis?
A serous membrane partially covering the testes derived from the peritoneum.
[28.1] What is a hydrocele?
A collection of serous fluid within the tunica vaginalis caused by injury of the testes or inflammation of epididymis.
[28.1] What is the tunica albuginea?
A white fibrous capsule of dense irregular connective tissue deep of the tunica vaginalis and covering the the testes. Extends into the testes creating internal compartments called lobules.
[28.1] What are lobules of the testes?
Internal compartments separated by extension of the tunica albuginea. Approximately 200-300 per teste.
[28.1] What are seminiferous tubules?
Tightly coiled tubules within lobules where sperm is produced. Each lobule contains 1-3 of these.
[28.1] What is spermatogenesis?
The production of sperm that occurs within the seminiferous tubules.
[28.1] What cells are present in seminiferous tubules?
Spermatogenic cells and sustentacular cells.
[28.1] What are spermatogenic cells?
Sperm-forming cells.
[28.1] What are sustentacular cells?
Cells within the seminiferous tubules extending from the basement membrane to the lumen of the tubule. Joined by tight junctions forming the blood-testis barrier.
[28.1] List the functions of sustentacular cells.
- Nourishment of spermatocytes
- Phagocytize excess spermatid
- Control movement of spermatogenic cells
- Release sperm into the lumen of the seminiferous tubule
- Produce fluid for sperm transport
- Secrete inhibin
- Regulate effects of hormones.
[28.1] What are interstitial cells?
Cells existing in the spaces between seminiferous tubules. Secrete testosterone.
[28.1] What are spermatogonia?
Stem cells that eventually develop into sperm cells.
[28.1] What are primordial germ cells?
Primordial cells that develop into spermatogonia.
[28.1] What is an androgen?
A hormone that promotes development of masculine characteristics and promotes sex drive.
[28.1] What is spermatogenesis?
The process in which diploid spermatogonia develop into haploid spermatozoa.
[28.1] How long does spermatogenesis typically take?
65 - 75 days.
[28.1] What is a diploid cell?
A cell with 46 chromosomes
[28.1] What is a haploid cell?
A cell with 23 chromosomes.
[28.1] What are primary spermatocytes?
Spermatogonia that have differentiated into more mature cells that undergo meiosis.
[28.1] What are secondary spermatocytes?
Haploid cells produced by meiosis I of primary spermatocytes. Undergo meiosis II, where chromatid separate and four haploid cells form.
[28.1] What are spermatids?
Haploid cells produced from secondary spermatocytes that have undergone meiosis II. Still connected to each other through the cytoplasm as cytolysis fails to occur.
[28.1] What is spermiogenesis?
The development of haploid spermatids into sperm. Occurs as spermatids form the elongated, slender shape as well as flagella and an acrosome.
[28.1] What is spermiation?
The separation of sperm cells from the sustentacular cells and enter the seminiferous tubule.
[28.1] What are the major parts of the sperm?
The head and the tail.
[28.1] Describe the head of a sperm.
The flattened, pointed anterior portion of the sperm containing a nucleus of 23 chromosomes and featuring the acrosome on the anterior two-thirds.
[28.1] What is the acrosome?
A cap-like vesicle filled with enzyme that aids it in penetrating a secondary oocyte for fertilization.
[28.1] Describe the tail of a sperm.
The long flagella of the sperm, subdivided into four parts.
[28.1] List the four parts of the tail of a sperm.
- Neck
- Middle piece
- Principal piece
- End piece
[28.1] What is the neck of a sperm tail?
The constricted region behind the head containing centrioles that anchor microtubules forming the rest of the tail.
[28.1] Describe the middle piece of a sperm tail.
Posterior of the neck, contains mitochondria arranged in a spiral pattern that produce ATP needed for movement.
[28.1] Describe the principle piece of the sperm tail.
The longest portion of the tail posterior of the middle piece.
[28.1] Describe the end piece of the sperm tail.
The terminal, tapering end of the tail.
[28.1] How long do sperm typically survive in the female reproductive tract?
No more than 48 hours.