Male Reproduction

Question 1

What are the two types of gametes and their roles?

Answer 1

Sperm (motile, from male) and egg (nutrient-rich, from female).

Question 2

How many pairs of chromosomes are in human cells?

Answer 2

23 pairs: 22 autosomes and 1 sex chromosome pair.

Question 3

What determines the sex of a child?

Answer 3

The sperm: X chromosome = female (XX), Y chromosome = male (XY).

Question 4

What are primary and secondary sex organs?

Answer 4

Primary: gonads (produce gametes); Secondary: organs necessary for reproduction.

Question 5

What are external vs. internal genitalia?

Answer 5

External: visible, located in the perineum; Internal: located in the pelvic cavity.

Question 6

What are secondary sex characteristics?

Answer 6

Features that appear at puberty and distinguish the sexes (e.g., facial hair, deeper voice).

Question 7

What hormones are secreted by the testes during development?

Answer 7

Testosterone and Müllerian-Inhibiting Factor (MIF).

Question 8

When does internal sexual differentiation begin and end?

Answer 8

Begins at 5–6 weeks and is completed by 10–12 weeks.

Question 9

What is androgen insensitivity syndrome?

Answer 9

A condition where individuals are genetically male (XY) but resistant to androgens, resulting in female or ambiguous characteristics.

Question 10

What structures develop into external genitalia?

Answer 10

Genital tubercle → glans/clitoris, Urogenital folds → labia minora/urethra, Labioscrotal folds → scrotum/labia majora.

Question 11

What is the gubernaculum?

Answer 11

A connective tissue cord guiding the descent of testes and forming part of the inguinal canal.

Question 12

What is the function of the inguinal canal?

Answer 12

A passageway through the groin; common site of hernias

Question 13

Why must testes be cooler than core body temperature?

Answer 13

Sperm production requires ~35°C; core body temperature is ~37°C

Question 14

How do scrotal muscles regulate temperature?

Answer 14

Dartos (wrinkles skin), Cremaster (moves testes), Pampiniform plexus (cools blood).

Question 15

What covers the testes?

Answer 15

Tunica albuginea—a white fibrous capsule.

Question 16

What cells lie between tubules and secrete testosterone?

Answer 16

Leydig (interstitial) cells.

Question 16

What forms the blood-testis barrier (BTB)?

Answer 16

Sertoli (sustentacular) cells.

Question 17

What is the function of the rete testis?

Answer 17

Collects sperm from seminiferous tubules.

Question 18

What are the spermatic ducts and their roles?

Answer 18

Efferent ductules: collect sperm; Epididymis: maturation/storage; Ductus deferens: peristalsis during orgasm; Ejaculatory duct: empties into urethra.

Question 19

What is the order of sperm passage?

Answer 19

Seminiferous tubules → Rete testis → Efferent ductules → Epididymis → Ductus deferens → Ejaculatory duct → Urethra.

Question 20

What glands produce components of semen?

Answer 20

Seminal vesicles (60%), prostate gland (30%), bulbourethral gland (lubrication only).

Question 21

What does the corpus spongiosum do?

Answer 21

Surrounds the penile urethra and keeps it open during erection. Passes along the ventricle side of penis

Question 22

What are the corpora cavernosa?

Answer 22

Two erectile tissues that attach the penis to the pubic arch.

Question 23

What marks puberty in males and females?

Answer 23

Males: first ejaculation of viable sperm; Females: first menstrual cycle.

Question 24

What hormone initiates puberty?

Answer 24

GnRH from the hypothalamus, which stimulates LH and FSH release.

Question 25

What does LH do in males?

Answer 25

Stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone.

Question 26

What does FSH do in males?

Answer 26

Stimulates (nurse) Sertoli cells to produce ABP, promoting spermatogenesis.

Question 27

What are the effects of testosterone and DHT during adolescence?

Answer 27

Growth of sex organs, body growth, libido, and development of pubic, axillary, and facial hair.

Question 28

What changes occur during andropause?

Answer 28

Lower testosterone, reduced libido, sperm count, semen volume, and possible mood changes.

Question 29

What happens to LH and FSH levels during andropause?

Answer 29

They rise.

Question 30

What are the goals of spermatogenesis?

Answer 30

Produce motile sperm, reduce chromosome number, and create genetic variation.

Question 31

What is the role of meiosis in sperm production?

Answer 31

Reduces chromosome number and increases genetic diversity. give germ cell shape

Question 32

Where do spermatogonia originate?

Answer 32

From primordial germ cells in the embryonic yolk sac.

Question 33

What does one Type B spermatogonium produce?

Answer 33

Four haploid spermatids after meiosis I and II.

Question 34

What is the function of the acrosome?

Answer 34

Contains enzymes needed to penetrate the egg.

Question 35

WHat is function of type A spermatogonium

Answer 35

produce Type B spermatagonia

Question 36

What parts make up a sperm tail?

Answer 36

Midpiece (mitochondria), principal piece, and endpiece.

Question 37

What components in semen aid fertilization?

Answer 37

Semenogelin (stickiness), serine protease (liquefies semen), PSA (marker for prostate cancer).

Question 38

What conditions are necessary for sperm motility?

Answer 38

Elevated pH and an energy source (fructose, citrate).

Question 39

What nutrients aid sperm function?

Answer 39

Zinc (chromatin stability), calcium (flagellar movement), fructose/citrate (ATP production).

Question 40

What are the four phases of the male sexual response?

Answer 40

Excitement, Plateau, Orgasm (emission + expulsion), and Resolution.

Question 41

What happens during emission and expulsion?

Answer 41

Emission: sperm and fluids move via peristalsis; Expulsion: semen is ejected by muscular contraction.

Question 42

What occurs during the refractory period?

Answer 42

Temporary inability to achieve another erection or orgasm.

Question 43

How do ED drugs like Viagra work?

Answer 43

They inhibit phosphodiesterase, prolonging cGMP effects and erection.

Question 44

What is the communicable period of an STD?

Answer 44

The period when an individual can transmit the disease, even without symptoms.

Question 45

Describe symptoms of Gonorrhea.

Answer 45

Pain, pus discharge, and potential sterility from pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

Question 46

What are symptoms of Chlamydia?

Answer 46

Urethral discharge, testicular pain, and nongonococcal urethritis (NGU).

Question 47

What are the stages of Syphilis?

Answer 47

1st: chancre sores; 2nd: pink rash; 3rd: cardiovascular and brain damage.

Question 48

What is the most common STD?

Answer 48

Genital herpes (painful blisters).

Question 49

What are genital warts and what causes them?

Answer 49

Warts on the genitals or anus, caused by HPV.

Question 50

What are hepatitis B and C?

Answer 50

Viral liver diseases transmitted through sexual contact.

Question 52

What is Spermiogenesis

Answer 52

Changes that transform spermatids into spermatozoon

Question 53

What is the pathways sperm travel from the testis to outside the body

Answer 53

Seminal vesicle Prostatic urethra Ductus deferens Efferent ductules

Question 54

What is the pathways sperm travels from site of formation to ejaculation

Answer 54

a. Seminiferous tubules: sperm production begins here within testes b. Epididymis: sperm mature and stored here c. Ductus Deferens (Vas Deferens): transport sperm from epididymis toward ejactulatory duct d. Ampulla of ductus deferens: Reservoir for sperm at end of ductus deferens e. Ejactulatory duct: passes through prostate gland f. Prostatic urethra g. Membranous urethra h. Spongy urethra

Question 55

What is the function of inhibit. And who secretes them?

Answer 55

Nurse cells secrete inhibin Inhibits FSH, slowing down spermatogenesis

Question 56

what happens during the excitment phase of male sexual response

Answer 56

i. Vasocongestion(genital swell with blood), myotonia (muscle tension), and increased in HR, BP, and pulmonary ventilation ii. Erection due to parasympathetic triggering of Nitric oxide secretion iii. Erection allows for intromission into vagina

Question 57

what happens during the plateau phase of male sexual response

Answer 57

i. HR, BP, and respiratory rate stay increases ii. Lasts for a few seconds to a few minutes before orgasm

Question 58

what happens during the orgasm phase of male sexual response

Answer 58

ii. Two phases of ejaculation 1. Emission: symphathetic NS stimulates peristalsis which moves sperm through ducts and adds glandular secretions (peristalsis moves sperm through ducts) 2. Expulsion: semen in urethra activates somatic and sympathetic reflexes that stimulate muscular contraction (muscle contraction prepares for expulsion)

Question 59

what happens during the resolution phase of male sexual response

Answer 59

i. Body return to normal ii. Penis soft and flaccid iii. Refractory period: period n which it is usually impossible for a male to attain another erection or orgasm