Gametogenesis Flashcards
what are epigenetic effects (3) main points
- non-DNA changes
- can affect gene expression
- can influence lifetime outcomes
what are the gonads
- ovaries
- testes
where do the gonads develop
at the genital ridge
which migrating cell populations give rise to the gonads. which also multiply?
- primordial germ cells - these also multiply
- germinal epithelial cells
- mesonephric cells
what are gonads
specialised organ that produces the gametes (sperm or oocyte / egg) and sex hormones of organism
where do the cell populations that give rise to gonads go
they migrate to the genital ridge
what determines if testes or ovaries (gonads) develop
what chromosome sperm is carrying
- X chromosome -> ovaries develop
- Y chromosome -> testes develop
why does Y-chromosome carrying sperm result in testes
SRY gene on Y chromosome (sex-determining region of Y chromosome) ‘makes’ a testis
what chromosome is the egg carrying?
X chromosome
what are the gamete precursors
primordial germ cells
what are gametes
- sperm
- oocyte (immature egg cell) or egg
from the cell populations that give rise to gonads which do and don’t contain SRY gene
germinal epithelial cells express SRY
primordial germ cells and mesonephric cells do not express SRY
what do the cell populations that give rise to the gonads contribute to in testis formation
- primordial germ cells -> gamete precursors: give rise to sperm and egg
- germinal epithelial cells -> give rise to primitive sex cords and Sertolli cells that enclose the primordial germ cells (prespermatogonia)
- mesonephric cells -> give rise to the vasculature, Leydig cells, seminiferous tubules
what is spermatogonia
- spermatogonia = germ cells responsible for producing sperm cells (spermatozoa) thru spermatogenesis
what do Leydig cells produce
androgens (male sex hormones; class of steroid hormones) - incl testosterone, DHT