final Flashcards
whats inside testes
125 meters of seminiferous tubules, constantly producing a lot of sperm cells
initial sperm formation
cant swim
where sperm mature
epididymus and vas deferens
wgar function of scrotum
controls temp of sperm formation 35 c
Epididymis:
Connected to vas deferens. Sperm mature in these ducts (they gain swimming ability) Mature sperm are stored here prior to ejaculation.
Urethra:
Common exit for both semen (with sperm) and urine in men. Smooth muscle contractions during orgasm propel semen out the urethra.
sperm head
contains one set of the male’s chromosomes (23). The cap of the head is the acrosome that contains digestive enzymes needed to digest through the outermost layer of the oocyte during fertilization.
sperm mid piece
contains mitochondria to create ATP that powers the flagellum.
Flagellum (or tail):
moves to propel the sperm up the woman’s reproductive tract. Sperm cells are the only human cells with flagella.
Why so many sperm produced 150-350 million cells
At most, only several hundred make it to the oocyte. The male needs to make so many in order to ensure that at least a few make it to the oocyte for fertilization.
Seminal vesicles:
secretes fructose (sperm energy source), and prostoglandin (causes muscle contractions within female’s uterus and vagina that help sperm travel upward = female orgasm)
Prostate gland:
secretes watery basic fluid (vagina is acidic pH 3.5 – 4 which kills bacteria, and sperm) pH 6
Bulbourethral gland:
secretes lubricating mucus, cleanses urethra of urine before ejaculation.
Penis:
spongy tissue with numerous hollow chambers which become filled with blood erect penis (larger and stiffer).
Erection:
arterioles supplying penis become dilated (parasympathetic nervous system). Swelling closes off veins draining the penis further swelling.
Impotence:
inability to achieve an erection
why impotence
Stress (sympathetic opposes parasympathetic) treatment: relax, psychological help
Blood vessel damage cigarette smoking leads to constricted arterioles to penis, can enhance arteriosclerosis (To males smoking: which do you want more, cigarettes or the ability to have an erection later in life?).
viagra - relaxes smooth muscle can help
Luteinizing hormone:
stimulates production of testosterone at puberty (triggers puberty) and secretion of testosterone throughout life.
Follicle stimulating hormone:
stimulates production of testosterone at puberty (triggers puberty) and may enhance sperm formation
Testosterone:
causes changes in male body associated with puberty including male sex drive and sperm formation in testes.
Ovaries:
release an egg (oocyte) every menstrual cycle from puberty until menopause.
This is known as ovulation.
A woman releases about 400 – 500 eggs in her life.
meno pause
cessation of the menstrual cycle (no more eggs released).
Declining estrogen “hot flashes”: hotness, sweating and red face (blood vessels near skin dilate). This can happen during nights too, making sleeping difficult.
Osteoporosis risk increases: less estrogen means osteoblast cells are not stimulated as much.
Oviducts (fallopian tubes)
Fimbrae of oviducts sweep oocyte from ovary into the oviducts
Oviducts then take the oocyte from the ovary to the uterus with cilia.
Fertilization usually occurs here.
Uterus
A thickened uterine lining is needed for the fertilized egg to implant into it for pregnancy. The egg develops into a baby in the uterus.
uterus layers
Endometrium
Myometrium
Endometrium:
includes epithelial tissue as the uterine lining
Fertilized egg implants here after traveling down the oviducts for 5 days.
Endometrium develops into the maternal part of the placenta which provides nourishment / gas exchange to the fetus via the umbilical cord, and removes waste.
The placenta also secretes estrogen / progesterone to maintain a thickened uterus during pregnancy.
No fertilization: thickened endometrial inner lining sloughs off during menstrual flow (monthly period)
Myometrium:
smooth muscle, expands (flexible) during pregnancy, contracts during labor to deliver the baby.
Cervix
the base of the uterus, a narrow opening allowing entry of sperm from vagina to uterus.
The cervix must dilate (become wider) during childbirth, to allow the baby to move from the uterus into the vagina
Around the time a woman is ovulating, the cervix produces a more fluid mucus that helps sperm travel upwards into the uterus.
vagina
organ of female sexual intercourse and the birth canal
When a woman is sexually aroused, it releases a lubricating fluid, which helps entry of the penis into the vagina.
hymen
partially covers vaginal opening (protects from infection). Will rupture, with minor bleeding, at first sexual encounter or tampon insertion, or by vigorous physical activity.
clitoris
: small organ important to the female sexual response and orgasm. This is the only human organ whose only purpose is pleasure.
Derived from the same tissue as the penis in males: erectile and with many nerve endings at high density = very sensitive