Human reproduction

Question 1

What is puberty?

Answer 1

The changes that happen to your body between childhood and adulthood

These changes are controlled by hormones in the blood.

Question 2

What role do hormones play in puberty?

Answer 2

They control the changes that prepare the body to reproduce

FSH and LH are key hormones involved in this process.

Question 3

What is the function of FSH in males?

Answer 3

Stimulates sperm production

FSH stands for Follicle-Stimulating Hormone.

Question 4

What does LH do in males?

Answer 4

Starts secretion of testosterone

LH stands for Luteinizing Hormone.

Question 5

What hormones are released in females during puberty?

Answer 5

Estrogen

FSH and LH stimulate the release of estrogen in women.

Question 6

What are secondary sexual characteristics in men?

Answer 6

Extra hair on face and body, muscle development, penis and testicles enlargement, sperm production, deepening of voice

These changes are triggered by testosterone.

Question 7

What changes occur in women during puberty?

Answer 7

Extra hair on underarms and pubic area, hips widen, development of breasts, ovum released, start of periods

These changes are triggered by estrogen.

Question 8

What are sperm?

Answer 8

The male gametes made in the testes after puberty

Sperm are mixed with fluid to create semen.

Question 9

What is the purpose of the scrotum?

Answer 9

Holds testes outside the body and controls their temperature

This is important for sperm production.

Question 10

What is the vas deferens?

Answer 10

The sperm ducts that carry sperm away from the testis

It plays a crucial role in the male reproductive system.

Question 11

What is the urethra’s function?

Answer 11

Carries urine and semen out of the body

It serves dual purposes in the male reproductive system.

Question 12

What type of fertilization occurs in humans?

Answer 12

Internal fertilization

This means that sperm must enter the woman’s internal reproductive tract for fertilization to occur.

Question 13

Fill in the blank: The penis enters the vagina to deliver _______.

Answer 13

semen

Question 14

What is the primary role of the male reproductive system?

Answer 14

To produce and deliver sperm

This includes the production of semen during ejaculation.

Question 15

What do the seminal vesicles and prostate gland produce?

Answer 15

Seminal fluid which nourishes the sperm

This fluid is essential for sperm health and mobility.

Question 16

What is the primary function of sperm’s motility?

Answer 16

To swim towards the egg in the oviduct

Sperm motility is crucial for fertilization.

Question 17

What provides the energy for sperm movement?

Answer 17

Respiration in mitochondria using sugar from seminal fluid

Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the sperm cells.

Question 18

What is the role of the acrosome in sperm?

Answer 18

To dissolve its way into the egg using a digestive enzyme

The acrosome is critical for fertilization.

Question 19

What does the nucleus of sperm contain?

Answer 19

The male 23 chromosomes

These chromosomes carry genetic information from the male parent.

Question 20

What is the function of the flagellum in sperm?

Answer 20

Used for swimming

The flagellum propels the sperm towards the egg.

Question 21

What is the function of the vagina in the female reproductive system?

Answer 21

Receives the penis during intercourse

The vagina is also part of the birth canal.

Question 22

What is produced by the ovaries?

Answer 22

Eggs

Ovaries are the female gonads responsible for gamete production.

Question 23

What is the function of the uterus?

Answer 23

Muscular sac where the fetus develops

The uterus is essential for gestation.

Question 24

What is the role of the oviducts (fallopian tubes)?

Answer 24

Carry the eggs from the ovaries to the uterus where fertilization occurs

Fertilization typically occurs in the oviduct.

Question 25

What are female gametes called?

Answer 25

Ovum (eggs) ## Footnote Female gametes are larger than male gametes.

Question 26

Fill in the blank: Eggs are the largest cells in the human body and contain _______ as an energy source for the developing embryo before the placenta forms.

Answer 26

fats ## Footnote These fats support the embryo until the placenta can provide nutrients.

Question 27

What do the female chromosomes in the nucleus represent?

Answer 27

Genetic information from the female parent ## Footnote Female gametes also carry 23 chromosomes.

Question 28

What is the process of fertilisation?

Answer 28

The sperm penetrates the egg, and its nucleus fuses with the egg nucleus to form a zygote.

Question 29

How many chromosomes do gametes have?

Answer 29

Each gamete has half the required chromosomes.

Question 30

Where does fertilisation take place?

Answer 30

In the oviduct.

Question 31

What develops after the zygote undergoes mitosis?

Answer 31

An embryo.

Question 32

What is the role of the placenta?

Answer 32

Allows the exchange of food, oxygen, and waste between the mother and embryo by diffusion.

Question 33

What gases are exchanged through the placenta?

Answer 33

Carbon dioxide and oxygen.

Question 34

What nutrients does the embryo obtain from the placenta?

Answer 34

Oxygen, glucose, amino acids, vitamins, and fatty acids.

Question 35

What hormone does the placenta produce to maintain the uterus lining?

Answer 35

Progesterone.

Question 36

Fill in the blank: The amnion membrane surrounds the embryo with _______ to cushion and protect it.

Answer 36

amniotic fluid.

Question 37

What are the adaptations of the placenta for efficient diffusion?

Answer 37

* Villi for large surface area * Thin walls for short diffusion pathway * Large concentration gradient

Question 38

What is the significance of the embryo becoming a foetus?

Answer 38

It becomes recognisably human.

Question 39

List the steps of birth.

Answer 39

* Cervix dilates * Uterus contracts * Baby is pushed through cervix and vagina * Afterbirth is delivered

Question 40

True or False: The placenta allows the blood of the embryo and mother to mix.

Answer 40

False.

Question 41

What happens to the amnion during birth?

Answer 41

It tears, allowing the fluid to escape.

Question 42

What process forms gametes?

Answer 42

Meiosis.

Question 43

What is the average duration of the menstrual cycle?

Answer 43

28 days ## Footnote The menstrual cycle can vary, but 28 days is the average length.

Question 44

What happens to the uterus lining if the egg is not fertilized?

Answer 44

It is shed ## Footnote This process is known as menstruation.

Question 45

During which phase does the uterine lining thicken to accept a fertilized egg?

Answer 45

Days 5 - 14 ## Footnote This phase is part of the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle.

Question 46

What occurs on day 14 of the menstrual cycle?

Answer 46

Ovulation ## Footnote An egg is released during ovulation.

Question 47

What is the duration of menstrual bleeding?

Answer 47

Usually lasts 5 days ## Footnote This is the shedding of the uterine lining.

Question 48

What hormone is primarily responsible for thickening the uterine wall?

Answer 48

Oestrogen ## Footnote Oestrogen is released from the developing follicle.

Question 49

What hormone stimulates the development of immature egg cells in the ovary?

Answer 49

FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) ## Footnote FSH is produced in the pituitary gland.

Question 50

What does LH stand for, and what is its role?

Answer 50

Luteinizing Hormone; it stimulates ovulation and the development of the corpus luteum ## Footnote LH is also produced in the pituitary gland.

Question 51

Fill in the blank: The corpus luteum develops and releases _______ to maintain the uterine lining.

Answer 51

Progesterone ## Footnote Progesterone is crucial for maintaining the uterine lining after ovulation.

Question 52

What happens during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle?

Answer 52

The follicle develops and estrogen is released ## Footnote This phase occurs from day 1 to day 14.

Question 53

True or False: The uterine wall is maintained from day 14 to day 28 of the menstrual cycle.

Answer 53

True ## Footnote This maintenance is primarily due to progesterone from the corpus luteum.

Question 54

What triggers ovulation?

Answer 54

LH (Luteinizing Hormone) ## Footnote LH surge causes the release of the mature egg.

Question 55

What is the primary source of Oestrogen?

Answer 55

Produced in the ovary

Question 56

What are the effects of Oestrogen on the uterine wall?

Answer 56

Causes growth and thickening of the uterine wall

Question 57

How does Oestrogen affect LH and FSH production?

Answer 57

Stimulates production of LH, but inhibits FSH production

Question 58

When do Oestrogen levels typically drop?

Answer 58

Around 14 days

Question 59

What is the primary source of Progesterone?

Answer 59

Produced in the ovary

Question 60

What role does Progesterone play in the uterus?

Answer 60

Maintains the thickness of the uterus wall and stops more eggs from being released

Question 61

What happens to Progesterone production if there is no pregnancy?

Answer 61

The corpus luteum breaks down and progesterone production drops, leading to shedding of the uterus wall

Question 62

If the egg cell is fertilised, what happens to the corpus luteum?

Answer 62

The corpus luteum remains for 12 weeks and keeps making progesterone

Question 63

What is the function of progesterone during pregnancy?

Answer 63

To maintain the uterus wall and stop any more eggs from being released

Question 64

Who produces progesterone after 12 weeks of pregnancy?

Answer 64

The placenta