Endocrine and Reproductive System

Question 1

Describe the relationship between hormones and target cells.

Answer 1

Hormones bind to specific receptors on specific cells, but target cells have those specific receptors, and each hormone has target cells

Question 2

Identify the location and function of the endocrine glands and their hormones. (only the ones that we went over in class)

Question 3

Compare and contrast steroid and nonsteroid hormones and how they affect target cells.

Answer 3

Steroid hormones
Made up of lipids so they can cross the cell membrane and the nuclear membrane.

Non-steroid hormones
Made of proteins, small peptides and modified amino acids.

Question 4

Know the structures and functions of the male and female reproductive systems.

Question 5

Describe the structure of sperm.

Question 6

Describe the following steps of fertilization: early development, implantation, gastrulation, neurulation.

Answer 6

Early development:

Implantation: At day 7, the blastocyst reaches the uterus and implants into the uterine wall

Gastrulation: In week 3, the inner cell mass organizes itself into ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm.

Neurulation: Shortly after gastrulation, around weeks 3-6, a block of mesodermal tissue differentiates into the notochord

Question 7

Explain what the placenta is and how the exchange of nutrients/wastes happens between the embryo/fetus and the mother.

Answer 7

The placenta is the embryo’s organ of respiration, nourishment, and excretion. The umbilical cord connects the fetus to the placenta.
The mother’s and embryo’s blood do not mix but flow past each other along the border of the placenta. Materials are diffused from the embryo to the mother and back via the chorionic villi.