Lecture 14: Reproductive Systems

Question 1

What is the function of the male reproductive system?

Answer 1

• Production (spermatogenesis) and delivery of sperm.

Question 2

What are the components of the male reproductive system?

Answer 2

• External genitals:
  ~ Penis
  ~ Scrotum
  ~ Testes
• Internal parts:
  ~ Seminal vesicles
  ~ Prostate gland
  ~ Bulbourethral gland
  ~ Ejaculatory duct
  ~ Urethra
  ~ Vas deferens
  ~ Epididymis
  ~ Seminiferous tubules

Question 3

What is a gonad?

Answer 3

An organ that produces gametes.

Question 4

What are seminal vesicles?

Answer 4

Pair of glands that function to produce many of the constituent ingredients of semen. They ultimately provide around 70% of the total volume of semen.

Question 5

What is a prostate gland?

Answer 5

The prostate produces a fluid that mixes with sperm from the testicles to make semen.
This fluid is stored in 2 tube-shaped glands called the seminal vesicles. They are found just behind the bladder.

Question 6

What is bulbourethral gland?

Answer 6

Are a pair of pea shaped exocrine glands located posterolateral to the membranous urethra.
They contribute to the final volume of semen by producing a lubricating mucus secretion.

Question 7

What is vas deferens?

Answer 7

(Also called ductus deferens) Functions to transport sperm from the cauda epididymis to the prostatic urethra.

Question 8

State the definition of epididymis.

Answer 8

Long, coiled tube that stores sleek and transports it from the testes.

Question 9

What is testis?

Answer 9

Male reproductive gland that is responsible for producing sperm and making androgens, primarily.

Question 10

What are seminiferous tubules?

Answer 10

Function to produce sperm, maintain sperm, and store the sperm. They comprise the bulk (80%) of the testis mass and are responsible for developing germ cells.

Question 11

What is spermatogonium?

Answer 11

An undifferentiated male germ cell.

Question 12

What is a germ cell?

Answer 12

A gamete containing half the amount of chromosomes of a somatic cell.

Question 13

Define Sertoli cell.

Answer 13

It helps in supporting, protecting, and provide nutrition to spermatogenic cells.
Also called a ‘nurse’ cell.

They provide blood-testis barrier.

Question 14

What are Leydig cells?

Answer 14

The primary source of testosterone or androgens (male sex hormone) in males.

Question 15

What is a myoid cell?

Answer 15

Involved in the transport of spermatozoa and testicular fluid in the tubule.

Question 16

What is basal lamina?

Answer 16

Surrounds seminiferous tubules and is composed of extracellular matrix that serves to separate them from the interstitial compartment, provides structural integrity to the tubules, and regulates the function of cells in contact with it.

Question 17

What are granulosa cells?

Answer 17

They help a female get and stay pregnant. Granulosa cells produce reproductive hormones and support ovarian follicles.
These follicles are small sacs of fluid in the ovaries that contain eggs.

Question 18

What is the function of the female reproductive system?

Answer 18

• Production of eggs and support of developing embryo.