Definitions Flashcards
What is a gonad?
A gonad is an organ that produces sex cells in animals
What is semen?
Semen is a fluid containing sperm and seminal fluid
What is puberty?
Puberty is the beginning of sexual maturity
What are secondary sexual characteristics?
Secondary sexual characteristics are those features that distinguish males from females, apart from the sex organs themselves
What is infertility?
Infertility is the inability to produce offspring
What is ovulation?
Ovulation is the release of an egg from the ovary
What is the menstrual cycle?
The menstrual cycle is a series of events that occurs every 28 days on average in the female if fertilisation has not taken place
What is the menopause?
The menopause is when ovulation and menstruation stop happening in a female
What is menstruation?
Menstruation is the discharge of the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) and the unfertilised egg
What is copulation?
Copulation is the act of sexual intercourse
What is an orgasm?
An orgasm is the physical and emotional sensations experienced at the peak of sexual excitement
What is ejaculation?
Ejaculation is the release of semen from the penis
What is insemination?
Insemination is the release of semen into the vagina, just outside the cervix
What is fertilisation?
Fertilisation occurs when the nucleus of the sperm fuses with the nucleus of the egg, forming a diploid zygote
What is implantation?
Implantation is the embedding of the fertilised egg into the lining of the uterus
What is in-vitro fertilisation?
In-vitro fertilisation (IVF) involves removing eggs from an ovary and fertilising them outside the body
What is a morula?
A morula is a solid ball of cells formed from a zygote by mitosis
What is a blastocyst?
A blastocyst (or blastula) is a hollow ball of cells formed from a morula
What are germ layers?
Germ layers are basic layers of cells in the blastocyst from which all adult tissues and organs will form
What is gestation?
Gestation is the length of time spent in the uterus from fertilisation to birth
What is lactation?
Lactation is the secretion of milk by the mammary glands (breasts) of the female
What is birth control?
Birth control refers to methods taken to limit the number of children that are born
What is contraception?
Contraception is the deliberate prevention of fertilisation or pregnancy
