Human Sexual Reproduction Flashcards
What are accessory glands?
e.g. seminal gland and prostate gland. These glands secrete fluids that mix with the sperm to make semen
What is the male reproductive system made up of?
- pair of testes in the scrotum
- penis
- ducts connecting testes and penis
- accessory glands
What are the coiled tubes in the testes called and what are their roles?
Seminiferous tubules. Cells lining the tubules undergo spermatozoa formation, cells move towards the space (lumen) running through the middle of the tubule and collect in vasa efferentia.
What is the role of the vas deferens?
carries sperm from the epididymis towards the penis. On the way seminal vesicles secrete mucus into the vas deferens , this contains a mixture of chemicals such as fructose (to be respired by the cell for energy)
What are sertoli cells and what are their roles?
They are between the strands of developing spermatids. Large oval nucleus as they are very biochemically active. They secrete fluid which nourishes the developing sperm and protect them from the male immune system
What is the role of the cells of a corna radiata?
Surround the secondary oocyte and provide nutrients
What is the syncitium?
Cells of the wall of the chorionic villi fuse so there are no spaces between thm this means immune cells of the mothers such as granulocytes cannot get through the the foetal blood.
Do the embryo and mothers blood make contact?
No. Intervillous spaces called lacunae containing the mothers blood surround the chorionic villi. Chorionic villus cells have microvilli giving a large surface area for exchange
