Concise Flashcards Sem 2A
Name the phases of the cell cycle.
Phases of Cell Cycle
-
Interphase
- G1 – Cell grows rapidly, carries out normal activities and duplicates organelles
- S – DNA replication
- G2 – Cell grows and prepares for mitosis o G0 – a state of non-division (quiescence)
- Mitosis - cell division
- Cytokinesis – splitting of cells following mitosis

Outline the process of DNA replication.
DNA Replication
- Topoisomerase unwinds the DNA
- Helicase separates the two strands of DNA
-
Polymerases are protein complexes responsible for replicating DNA
- Polymerases can only extend nucleic acid, not create new sequences – primase is needed
- DNA Pol α – lays down 5’ primer sequence
- DNA Pol δ – continues from Pol α
- Replication is 5’ to 3’ – but the lagging strand is 3’ to 5’ – need to process lagging strand as well
- The leading strand is replicated continuously
- The lagging strand is replicated in short sequences (okazaki fragments) that are joined by DNA ligase

Compare and contrast mitosis and meiosis in 8 ways.

Outline the process of mitosis - 6 stages.
Mitosis
-
Prophase
- Compaction of chromatin to form chromosomes
- Formation of the mitotic spindle
-
Prometaphase
- Defined by dissolution of the nuclear membrane
- Centromeres of chromatids attach to kinetochores (spindle)
- Chromosomes start to be aligned along the midline
-
Metaphase
- Chromosomes are aligned in the centre of the spindle
-
Anaphase
- Chromatids separate and are drawn to the poles
-
Telophase
- Chromosomes cluster at the poles and nuclear membranes form at either pole surrounding the clusters
-
Cytokinesis
- Not formally part of mitosis/meiosis
- Cells separate at midpoint between poles → daughter cells
List 5 criteria for a good screening test.
Criteria for a Good Screening Test
- The condition should be an important health problem
- The test should be safe and non-invasive
- The test should be precise with high sensitivity and specificity
- The test should be cost-effective
- There should be a treatment available for the condition
What is the Triple Test?
What 3 things does it test for?
What do the results look like for Trisomy 13, 18, 21?
Triple Test
- Also called triple screen, the Kettering test or the Bart’s test
- An investigation performed during pregnancy in the 2nd trimester to classify a patient as either high-risk or low-risk for chromosomal abnormalities.
- Measures 3 serum levels:
- β-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) – maintains corpus luteum in early pregnancy
- α-fetoprotein (AFP) – plasma protein that binds oestradio
- Unconjugated oestriol (UE3) – derivative of pregnalone formed by the adrenal gland

What 4 main conditions does the postnatal heelprick test for?
Heelprick Test
- Cystic Fibrosis
-
Phenylketonuria (PKU)
- Deficiency in phenylalanine hydroxylase – no conversion of Phe → Tyr
- Accumulated Phe converted to phenylpyruvate – causes mental retardation
- Treatment – low Phe diet; tetrahydrobiopterin
-
Galactosaemia
- Deficiency in metabolism of galactose
- Speech deficits, ataxia, cataracts
-
Hypothyroidism
- Deficiency in genes involved in thyroid function
- Sleepiness, poor muscle tone, jaundice
Outline 3 different samples that can be taken from a foetus to test for genetic disorders.
When are each of them performed?
What is their associated risk of miscarriage?
Fetal Genetic Testing
- Chorionic Villus Sampling → chorionic villus (10-12 weeks)
- Amniocentesis → amniotic fluid (16-20 weeks)
- Cordocentesis → fetal cord blood (~17 weeks)

What is euploidy and what 3 mechanisms can cause it?
Euploidy = The addition or loss of full sets (23) of chromosomes - results in an exact multiple of haploid chromosomes
- Haploidy (n) – 23 chromosomes
- Triploidy (3n) – 69 chromosomes
- Tetraploidy (4n)– 92 chromosomes
Mechanisms:
- Polyspermy (two sperm fertilising an ovum)
- Fusing of an ovum with a polar body
- Nondisjunction in the zygote or other somatic cells
Explain 3 types of aneuploidy.
Types of aneuploidy
-
Autosomal aneuploidy
- All autosomal monsomies are lethal
- Most autosomal trisomies are lethal
- Trisomy 16 is the commonest (1/3) but is never seen in live birth
- Trisomy 13 (Patau), 18 (Edwards) and 21 (Down) are all viable
-
Sex chromosome aneuploidy
- More common than autosomal – milder phenotypes
- Turner Syndrome (monosomy X) - 1/1000 births
- Phenotypic female w/ webbed neck, angled elbows, usually sterile
- Kleinfelter syndrome (XXY) - 1/800 births
- Phenotypic male, ↑X chromosomes → ↑female characteristics
- 47XXX – fertile female, asymptomatic
- XYY syndrome – mild phenotype
-
Mosaicism
- Some cells have a normal number of chromosomes while others are aneuploid
- Phenotypic consequences are difficult to predict
Name 6 contents of the superficial perineal pouch.
Name 5 contents of the deep perineal pouch.
Superficial Perineal Pouch
- Ischiocavernosis muscle
- Bulbospongiosus muscle
- Superficial transverse perineal muscle
- Crura of clitoris (F) / crura of penis (M)
- Bulb of vestibule (F) /bulb of penis (M)
- Bartholin’s glands (F)
Deep Perineal Pouch
- Deep transverse perineal muscle
- External urethral sphincter muscle
- Proximal urethra (F) / membranous urethra (M)
- Bulbourethral gland (M)
- Vagina (F)

Outline the muscles of the pelvic diaphragm.
Pelvic Floor Muscles
-
Levator Ani – three parts
- Pubococcygeus – pubis → anococcygeal ligament
- Puborectalis - L pubis → R pubis (surround prostate/vagina)
- Iliococcygeus - obturator membrane → coccyx & anococcygeal ligament
- Coccygeus (ischococcygeus) – ischial spine → lateral coccyx/L5 vertebra

List the 5 contents of the spermatic cord.
Contents of the Spermatic Cord
- Ductus deferens
- Arteries
- Testicular artery
- Cremasteric artery
- Artery of ductus deferens
- Pampiniform plexus
- Autonomic nerves
- Genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve 6. Lymphatic vessels

List the 7 layers of the scrotum.
Layers of the Scrotum
- Skin
- Dartos fascia & dartos muscle
- External spermatic fascia
- Cremaster muscle
- Cremasteric fascia
- Internal spermatic fascia
- Tunica vaginalis - parietal and visceral layers

Outline the path of sperm from the seminiferous tubules to the penile urethra (10).
Path of Sperm from seminiferous tubules to the penile urethra
- Seminiferous tubules
- Straight tubules
- Rete testis
- Efferent ductules
- Epididymis
- Ductus deferens
- Ejaculatory Duct
- Prostatic Urethra
- Membranous urethra
- Penile Urethra
Outline the blood supply to the ovaries, uterus, vagina and external genitalia.

Describe the 3 cells that make up the seminiferous tubules and surrounding interstitial tissue.
Cells of the seminiferous tubules and surrounding interstitial tissue.
-
Sertoli cells (sustentacular) cells – within the germinative epithelium
- Supportive function
-
Spermatogenic cells – move from the basal compartment to lumen
- Spermatogonia
- Primary spermatocytes
- Secondary spermatocytes
- Spermatids & spermatozoa
- Leydig cells (interstitial cells) – produce testosterone

List 3 effects of oestrogen and 4 effects of progesterone.
Effects of Estrogen
- Growth of uterus, mammary ducts and reproductive tract tissues
- Female secondary sex characteristics
- Bone metabolism & maturation
Effects of Progesterone
- Prepares the body for pregnancy
- Modifies/antagonises effects of oestrogen
- Increases basal body temperature
- Develops alveoli of breasts
Outline the 3 phases of the ovarian cycle.
Phases of the Ovarian cycle
Follicular Phase – Days 1-14
- Menstrual phase (day 1-5)
- ↑ FSH
- 10-25 follicles → secondary follicles
- Pre-ovulatory phase (days 6-14)
- ↑oestrogen from follicles → ↓FSH (negative feedback)
- LH surge (positive feedback)
- One follicle predominates, all other follicles undergo atresia
Ovulation – Day 14
- LH surge → ↑PGs → ↑blood flow to follicle → degradation of ovary wall
- The oocyte is taken up by the uterine tube and is viable for 8 hours
Luteal Phase – Days 14-28
- Granulosa and theca interna cells multiply to fill the antrum → corpus luteum – responsive to LH
- As LH decreases the corpus luteum begins to atrophy
Outline the 3 phases of the menstrual cycle.
Phases of the menstrual cycle
Menstruation – Day 1-~4
- ↓Oestrogen & progesterone → prostaglandin release → constriction of endometrial vessels → ischaemia → contractions of the myometrium
- Ischaemia → degeneration of endometrial glands, stroma, vessels and tissue
- Blood, serous fluid and degenerated endometrial tissue are discharged
Proliferative Phase – Day 4-14
- ↑Oestrogen → regrowth/proliferation of endometrial tissue and blood vessels
Secretory Phase – Day 14-28
- ↑Progesterone → glycogen accumulation
- ↑Progesterone → uterine hypertrophy
- ↑Progesterone →↑basal body temperature
List some effects of testosterone on tissues.
Effects of Testosterone on Tissues
- Fetus: sex determination
- Puberty: male 2° sexual characteristics
- Spermatogenesis
- Liver: ↑VLDL, ↑LDL, ↓HDL
- Bone and muscle growth
- CNS effects
- Prostate/hair follicles: T → 5α-DHT
List 7 functions of Sertoli cells.
Sertoli Cells - Functions
- Maintain tight junctions (blood-testes barrier)
- Nourish germ cells and provide signals for sperm differentiation
- Phagocytosis
- Secrete fluid
- Secrete Androgen-binding protein (ABP)
- Binds to testosterone in lumen and maintains high concentration near tubule
- Secrete inhibin - presence of excess spermatids → ↑inhibin → ↓FSH release → ↓spermatogenesis
- Convert testosterone to estrogen (aromatase)
List the embryological origins of male and female reproductive organs, and what they develop into.
Embryological origins of male and female reproductive organs
-
Gonadal Ridges
- Male → Testis
- Female → Ovaries
-
Müllerian duct (paramesonephric duct)
- Male → Appendix testis, Prostatic utricle
- Female → Fallopian Tubes, Uterus, Upper vagina
-
Wolffian duct (mesonephric duct)
- Male → Rete testis, Epididymis, Vas deferens, Seminal vesicle
- Female → Rete ovarii
-
Urogenital sinus
- Male → Bladder & urethra, Prostate
- Female → Bladder & Urethra, Skene’s Glands, Lower vagina
-
Gubernaculum
- Male → Scrotal ligament
- Female → Round ligament of uterus

Outline the process of spermatogenesis.
Spermatogenesis
-
Mitosis (25 days) – also known as spermatocytogenesis
- Spermatogonia → primary spermatocytes
- One daughter cell becomes a spermatocyte while the other stays a spermatogonia
-
Meiosis (28 days)
- Meiosis I: primary spermatocytes → secondary spermatocytes
- Meiosis II: secondary spermatocytes → spermatids
-
Spermiogenesis (21 days)
- Differentiation: spermatids → spermatozoa
- Golgi phase – acrosomal granules form in the golgi and become an acrosomal vesicle
- Cap phase – acrosomal vesicle moves to the top of the cell
- Acrosome phase – elongation of the cell
- Maturation – disconnection from sertoli cells

























