Gamete Transport

Question 1

Oocyte

Answer 1

immature egg. a woman is born with millions. Only 100s are ovulated. Mature in a follicle

Question 2

Sex cell production

Answer 2

a female can not make any more oocytes after birth. A male can produce sperm over his entire life, at a decreasing rate.

Question 3

Follicle

Answer 3

oocyte + surrounding cells

Question 4

Zona pellucida

Answer 4

a non-cellular membrane between the oocyte and follicle cells

Question 5

Follicle maturation

Answer 5

Multiple follicles mature each cycle, and one becomes dominant, and releases its oocyte. It travels to the edge of the ovary, creating a bulge.
non-ovulated follicles degenerate and are absorbed

Question 6

Ovulation

Answer 6

release of an oocyte. the dominant follicle ruptures, leaving the corona radiata around its oocyte. the oocyte is expelled into the body cavity.

Question 7

Spotting

Answer 7

droplets of blood caused by blood vessels which were broken by follicle rupture during ovulation

Question 8

Mittelschmerz

Answer 8

pain felt on the side of ovulation. May be caused by bulging follicle, or blood in body cavity.

Question 9

Ovulation events

Answer 9

Physical: Spotting, Mittelschmerz
Female Psychological: other women less attractive, wears more revealing clothing
Male Psychological: Woman looks, sounds, and smells better. Increases testosterone levels

Question 10

Oocyte transport aids

Answer 10

Fimbria(e), Corona radiata, Cilia. If one is missing, fertilization may still occur

Question 11

Fimbriae

Answer 11

finger-like projections at end of uterine tubes. move towards ovary and sweep over the surface. captures oocyte and brings it into uterine tube

Question 12

Corona radiata

Answer 12

covers non-adhesive zona pellucida. makes oocyte easier to bring into uterine tubes because of size and adhesion

Question 13

Cilia

Answer 13

hair-like projections in uterine tubes that sweep the oocyte into the tube

Question 14

Sperm Anatomy

Answer 14

Head, Midpiece, Tail

Question 15

Sperm Head

Answer 15

front part of sperm containing acrosome and Nucleus with DNA

Question 16

Acrosome

Answer 16

enzyme filled area that helps sperm integrate with oocyte

Question 17

Sperm Nucleus

Answer 17

DNA wrapped around protamine instead of histone to allow it to be more densely packed

Question 18

Histone

Answer 18

protein DNA is wrapped around in a normal cell

Question 19

Protamine

Answer 19

protein DNA is wrapped around in a sperm cell

Question 20

Sperm Midpiece

Answer 20

middle part of sperm, contains mitochondria

Question 21

mitochondria

Answer 21

cell “organs” that produce energy

Question 22

Sperm Tail

Answer 22

long, thin end of sperm that provides propulsion through a fluid

Question 23

Sperm travel route

Answer 23

Vagina > Uterus > Uterine Tubes

Question 24

Sperm Transport (Vagina)

Answer 24

100s of millions of sperm enter after ejaculation. 90% don’t make it past the vagina. In a few seconds seminal fluid neutralizes vagina acidity for a few minutes to give sperm time to reach cervix where they will have greater mobility.

Question 25

Sperm Transport (Uterus)

Answer 25

Cervical mucus changes composition. either E or G. If muscular contractions are present (fast phase) sperm make journey in minutes. Otherwise it takes days.

Question 26

E mucus

Answer 26

cervical mucus that helps keep sperm alive and move faster

Question 27

G mucus

Answer 27

resistant to sperm penetration

Question 28

Sperm Transport (Uterine Tubes)

Answer 28

Sperm bind to tube and undergo capacitation. Then 100s to 1000s meet oocyte at end of tube, travelling by contractions and swimming

Question 29

Capacitation

Answer 29

alters the sperm head to allow it to be capable of doing an acrosomal reaction, allowing it to fertilize an oocyte

Question 30

Sperm Guidance

Answer 30

heat gradient, “smell” (chemical detection), swim faster from progesterone