Human Repoduction Flashcards
Testes
Where sperm are formed and testosterone is produced
Scrotum
Holds tests outside the body as the optimum temperature of sperm production is 34C whereas core temperature is 37C
Prostate gland
Produces alkaline liquids which helps sperm survive acidic conditions in vagina. (Secreted into sperm duct)
Urethra
Tube through which sperm (and urine) leave the penis
Seminal vesicles
Provides fluid rich in fructose for energy and also containing protective mucus.
Erectile tissues
Fills with blood during an erection, causes penis to stiffen in order of be inserted into the vagina during sexual intercourse
Sperm duct
Tube which connects the tests to the urethra and through which mature sperm travel
Ovary
Structure in which ova develop in structures called follicles. (They secrete oestrogen at different points during the menstrual cycle)
Oviduct
Tube through which ova travel to reach the uterus. Fertilisation usually happens here
Uterus
Muscular wall into which the blastocyst (the early embryo) implants after fertilisation. Placenta attaches to this. Contracts during childbirth to push baby (and afterbirth) out. Lining is shed each month.
Cervix
A narrowing of the uterus which leads to the vagina. Enlarges greatly during labour to allow passage of the fetus.
Vagina
Passageway leading from the uterus to the outside. Sperm is deposited here during copulation and the fetus is born through it
Sperm
-Male gamete
-has an acrosome head with enzymes to penetrate the ovum.
-Contains many mitochondria to release energy for movement
Ovum
-female gamete
-has a large cytoplasm as a food store for the developing embryo
Puberty
The period at which reproductive organs and secondary characteristics develop.
Penis
Penis structure which transfers sperm from male to female during sexual intercourse
corpus Iuteum
-the body left behind in the ovary after ovulation
Female exclusive secondary sexual characteristics
-beginning of menstruation
-increase in body mass(rounded hips)
-breast development
Male exclusive secondary sexual characteristics
-growth of facial and body hair
-sperm production starts
-growth of penis and testes
-muscle development
-breaking of the voice
Secondary sexual characteristics that develop for male and female
-growth and development of sexual organ
-development of sexual drive
-growth of armpit and pubic hair
-deepening voice
What is the menstrual cycle
A recurring process which takes around 28 days. During the process, the lining of the uterus is prepared for pregnancy
Menstruation
Shedding of the uterus lining if the implantation of the fertilised egg into the uterus lining does not happen
what happens if the ovum is not fertilised by sperm
-the ovum breaks up and passes out of the vagina
-shedding of the uterus lining
what happens if the ovum is fertilised by sperm
-the ovum starts to divide
-new cells travel down the fallopian tube to the uterus and attach to the endometrium
-fertilised ovum develops into an embryo
4 hormones that control the menstrual cycle
- Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
- Luteinising hormone (LH)
- Oestrogen
- Progesterone
Ovulation
The release of a mature egg cell(ovum) into the oviduct,
Menstruation
the breakdown and shedding of uterus lining in preparation for a new egg cell
Where is FSH produced
-released from pituitary gland
what does FSH do
-causes an egg cell in the ovary to mature
-stimulates the ovaries to produce oestrogen
what does oestrogen do
-this causes thickening of the uterus lining, stimulate secretion of LH
where is oestrogen produced and why
-the ovaries (follicle)
-in response to FSH
what does LH does do
stimulates ovulation (release of an egg at day 14)
Progesterone
where is LH produced
-produced by the pituitary gland
where is progesterone produced
-in the ovaries by the corpus iuteum
what does progesterone do
-maintains the lining of the uterus during the second half of the cycle; lining break downs when progesterone levels fall
-inhibits release of LH and FSH (to prevent ovulation happening again)
what happens after an ovum has been fertilised
it develops into an embryo and implants in the uterus (called a fetus in the later stages of pregnancy)
when does the placenta develop
-once an embryo has implanted
what does the placenta do
-lets the blood of the embryo and mother get very close to allow the exchange of food, oxygen and waste (diffusion for oxygen and waste products
how is the placenta connected to the embryo
-umbilical cord
what is in the umbilical cord
-arteries and veins
maternal sinus
-spaces of maternal blood that is involved in the transfer of substances between itself and the chorionic villi
chorionic villi
-structures belonging in the embryo that is involved in the transfer of substances between itself and the maternal sinus
-it is implanted into the uterus wall
amnion membrane
-surrounds the embryo and secretes amniotic fluid
-ruptures during child birth and releases the fluid (water breaks)
amniotic fluid
-fluid that protects the fetus against jolts and bumps
