Humans Flashcards

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1
Q

what is fertilisation

A

fusion of the nuclei
from a male gamete (sperm) and a female
gamete (egg cell)

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2
Q

Function of the testes

A

production of sperm cells (by meiosis) and testosterone

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3
Q

What is testosterone?

A

male hormone involved in primary: sperm production- and secondary: penis enlargement, deep voice, body hair, shoulder enlargement, “aggressiveness” (sexual male characteristics)

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4
Q

What is the function of the scrotum?

A

sac enclosing testes outside of the body - protection and to ensure a proper temperature in testicles (35-33 deg.C)

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5
Q

What is the function of the sperm duct?

A

sperm passes to urethra

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6
Q

What is the function of the prostate gland?

A

lubricating secretion for semen: releases fluid rich in sucrose, which sperm cells will use as a source of energy in aerobic respiration)

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7
Q

What is the function of the urethra?

A

releases urine from urinary bladder for excretion and during ejaculation releases semen

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8
Q

What is the function of the penis?

A

penis becomes erect and can be inserted inside the vagina

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9
Q

What is the function of the ovaries?

A

production of egg/follicle cells by meiosis and oestrogen + progesterone

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10
Q

What is progesterone?

A

female hormone involved in primary - follicle production - and secondary - breast development, hips enlargement, body hair and fat deposits develop (sexual female characteristics)

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11
Q

What is the function of the oviducts?

A

tube that moves follicle cells from the ovary towards the uterus using peristalsis and ciliated cells, usual site for fertilisation

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12
Q

What is the function of the uterus?

A

muscular organ where embryo implants, foetus grows and further contracts during birth/labour so baby is delivered

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13
Q

What is the function of the cervix?

A

muscular opening for uterus: dilates for birth, acts as a barrier against sperm cells, opens when a woman is ovulation so it increases chance of fertilisation

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14
Q

What is the function of the vagina?

A

muscular tube where blood is released out of the body during menstruation, semen is deposited during sexual intercourse, passageway of natural child birth

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15
Q

How are sperm adapted to their function?

A

flagellum: important for movement
mitochondria: important for aerobic respiration to keep flagellum moving
enzymes in acrosome: break down jelly coat present in the egg

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16
Q

How is an egg cell adapted to its function?

A
  • jelly coat: changes stiffness when sperm cell penetrates, avoiding penetration of other sperm cells, avoiding polyspermy
  • energy stores in cytoplasm: allows egg to survive for several days + nourishes zygote if fertilisation occurs until it can implant in the wall of the uterus
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17
Q

Compare male and female gametes in terms of: size, mobility and numbers

A

Female: large cell size, doesn’t move (is moved), one per menstrual cycle
Male: small cell size, moves using flagellum, millions per ejaculation (live for up to 5 days)

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18
Q

What happens to the zygote in early development?

A

the zygote forms an embryo which is a ball of cells that implants into the lining of the uterus

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19
Q

State the functions of the umbilical cord

A
  • connects the foetus to the placenta
  • contains arteries that deliver deoxygenated blood from foetus to placenta for exchange
  • contains one vein, delivering oxygenated blood from placenta to foetus
20
Q

State the functions of the placenta

A
  • respiration
  • excretion
  • nutrition
  • immunity
  • hormonal
21
Q

What is the placenta?

A

a very thin membrane that allows diffusion to take place: there is very close contact between maternal and baby blood, but they don’t mix to avoid coagulation of different blood types

22
Q

Placenta: respiration

A

allows diffusion of oxygen from mother to foetus and CO2 from foetus to mother

23
Q

Placenta: excretion

A

allows diffusion of waste products produced by the baby such as lactic acid, urea, and bicarbonates into mother’s blood

24
Q

Placenta: nutrition

A

allows diffusion of glucose, vitamins, and minerals from mother to foetus

25
Q

Placenta: immunity

A

mother’s antibodies pass to baby

26
Q

Placenta: hormonal

A

placenta releases 3 hormones to maintain pregnancy (HCG, oestrogen and progesterone)

27
Q

What is the maternal artery?

A

artery carrying oxygenated blood, sending O2 and nutrients towards baby

28
Q

What is the maternal vein?

A

vein carrying deoxygenated blood, removed carbon dioxide and waste products away from the baby

29
Q

What is the umbilical artery?

A

carries CO2 away from baby to mother

30
Q

What is the umbilical vein?

A

carries oxygenated blood from mother’s blood towards baby

31
Q

What is the intervillous space?

A

part of the placenta that surround the villi and contains maternal blood, has low pressure so exchange of materials is constantly done

32
Q

Describe the thickening phase

A

corpus luteum releases progesterone causing endometrium to thicken for implantation

33
Q

Describe the menstruation phase

A

endometrium sheds, FSH is released, stimulating growth and maturation of 1 egg

34
Q

Describe the follicular phase

A

follicles grow and mature, oestrogen releases as response to FSH stimulus (positive feedback) causing endometrium to rebuild

35
Q

Describe the ovulation phase

A

oestrogen stimulates release of LH from pituitary gland, causing release of eg into oviduct: empty follicle, without egg, is called corpus luteum

36
Q

Where are oestrogen and progesterone released from and what do they target?

A

released by ovary, targets the uterus lining

37
Q

What is the role of FSH?

A

stimulates ovulation and development of the corpus luteum

38
Q

What is the role of oestrogen?

A

builds up endometrium after menstruation

39
Q

What is the role of progesterone?

A

thickens endometrium after ovulation

40
Q

What happens to the corpus luteum if the egg IS NOT fertilised?

A

corpus luteum is degenerated therefore levels of progesterone fall, leading to menstruation

41
Q

What happens to the corpus luteum if the egg IS fertilised?

A

blastocysts releases a hormone that stimulates maintenance of corpus luteum: therefore levels of progesterone are kept high during all pregnancy so endometrium doesn’t shed

42
Q

What is an STI (sexually transmitted infection)?

A

an infection that is transmitted through sexual contact

43
Q

What is HIV?

A

human immunodeficiency virus- a pathogen that causes an STI

44
Q

What may HIV infection lead to?

A

AIDS

45
Q

Describe the methods of transmission of HIV

A
  • transmitted by direct contact with certain body fluids from an infected person: like blood, semen and vaginal fluid.
  • can happen through: - unprotected sex,
  • cuts and sores,
  • using contaminated needles for injecting drugs,
  • receiving blood transfusions,
  • mother to child during childbirth/pregnancy/breast-feeding
46
Q

How is the spread of STIs controlled?

A

using condoms