human reproductive systems Flashcards
male reproductive system, female reproductive system and their functions
how many primary functions are male reproductive system organs specialised into
3
describe the 3 primary functions of the organs of the male reproductive system
- to produce, maintain, transport, and nourish sperm and protective fluid (semen)
-spermatogenesis
-semen - To discharge sperm within the female reproductive tract
- to produce and secrete male sex hormones
-testosterone
define spermatogenesis
the process of sperm production within the seminiferous tubules in the testes
describe/define semen
contains spermatozoa, enzymes, and fructose that promotes spermatozoa survival
provides medium for sperm motility
define testosterone
steroid hormone produced primarily in the male testes and responsible for the development of male secondary sex characteristics
the organs of the female reproductive system are specialised: (3)
- to produce female reproductive cells
- specialised as the site of development of a foetus
- to produce and secrete female sex hormones
Most of the male reproductive system is located outside of the body. Name these external structures
penis
scrotum
epididymis
testes
internal organs of the male reproductive system
vas deferens
seminal vesicles
prostate gland
external male sex organ- penis -describe (4)
- penis= male sex organ for sexual intercourse and urination
- contains erectile tissue that fills with blood making the penis erect
- sperm need to be kept in an aquatic environment as they have to swim so secretions are added- seminal fluid.
- semen and urine leave the penis through the urethra
what is the socrotum
-external male sex organ
-loose, pouch-like sack of skin that hangs behind the penis, containing the testes
name the protective function of the scrotum
-the maintenance of optimal temps for sperm survival and function
why is the protective function of the scrotum important?
-for sperm development, the testes must maintain a temperature slightly cooler than the normal body temp.
-special muscles in the wall of the scrotum contract and relax in order to move the testes near the body
where is the epididymis located?
at the back of the testis and connects it to the vas deferens
function of epididymis
store and carry sperm
testis = location for?
testosterone production
where does spermatogenesis take place?
the seminiferous tubules
(which are a coiled collection of tubes within the testes)
the internal organs of the male reproductive system are known as?
accessory sex organs
name the accessory sex organs
vas deferens
seminal vesicles
prostate gland
function of vas deferens
trasports mature sperm to the urethra in preparation for ejaculation
seminal vesicles description and function
-sac-like pouches that attach to the vas deferens near the base of the bladder
-vesciles produce molecules i.e fructose that serve as energy sources for sperm. They also secrete alkali fluid which helps to neutralise the acidity of the vagina, making spermatozoa more active
-seminal vesicle fluid makes up most of the volume of a man’s ejaculate
prostate gland description and fucntion
-walnut sized structure located below urinary bladder in front of rectum
-contributes additional fluid to the ejaculate that serves as nourishment for sperm. -also secretes alkali fluid.
what are the two main parts of the human female reproductive system?
uterus and ovaries
discuss the functions of the uterus (3)
- site of implantation and development of the foetus
- produces vaginal and uterine secretions
- passes the male sperm through the fallopian tube
discuss the functions of the ovaries (2)
- produce the female egg cells
-produce and secrete oestrogen and progesterone
what meets the external organs at the vulva
vagina
how is the vagina attached?
the vagina is attached to the uterus through the cervix
how is the uterus attached?
the uterus is attached to the ovaries via the fallopian tubes (also referred to as oviducts)
what happens at certain intervals (ovaries)?
At certain intervals, the ovaries release a secondary oocyte, which passes through a Fallopian tube into the uterus.
how does fertilisation occur?
if the secondary oocyte fuses with a sperm cell.
where does fertilisation occur?
usually occurs in the fallopian tubes, forming a zygote
what happens to the zygote during fertilisation?
The zygote then implants itself in the endometrium of the uterus.
ovaries are
endocrine organs
ovaries produce hormones that act during?(2)
-female menstrual cycle
-pregnancy
which hormones do ovaries secrete?
-oestrogen
-progesterone
oestrogen function
-responsible for the appearance of secondary sex characteristics of females at puberty
-for the maturation and maintenance of the reproductive organs in their mature functional state
progesterone function
functions with oestrogen by promoting menstrual cycle changes in the endometrium
uterus consists of what muscles?
mainly smooth muscles
reproductive function of uterus??
to accept a blastocyst which passes thru the fallopian tube
the lining of the uterine cavity known as?/
endometrium
what is the endometrium
the endometrium is a lining which is shed periodically or reabsorbed if no pregnancy occurs.
Shedding of the endometrial lining is responsible for menstrual bleeding with a cycle of approximately 28 days.
If implantation takes place this is where the placenta develops which provides nutrients to the foetus and removes waste products.
two main functions of vagina
sexual intercourse
childbirth
cervix
muscular opening of the uterus
usually closed due to muscle contraction BUT dilates during birth
function of cervix
to allow flow of menstrual blood from the uterus into the vagina,
and direct the sperms into the uterus during intercourse.
