Male Reproductive System Flashcards
What are the primary sex glands of the male and female reproductive system called?
Gonads
What is the primary sex gland of the male reproductive system?
Testes
What is the main reproductive sex gland of the female reproductive system?
Ovaries
What are the sex cells referred to?
Gametes
What are the male sex cells?
Sperm
What are the female sex cells?
Oocytes/eggs
What happens when the sperm and ova meet?
Develop zygote
How many pairs of chromosomes are in each cell?
23 pairs, for a total of 46
What are autosomes?
The 22 matching chromosomes.
How does the 23rd pair of chromosomes differ?
Females have two X chromosomes whist males have one X and one Y chromosome
What is the the male sex hormone?
Androgens, which are the most active testosterone
What are the female sex hormones?
Oestrogen and progesterone
Why are steroid hormones necessary?
For secondary sex characteristics and reproduction
When does male puberty tend to begin?
Around 10-14 years old
What is the function of the epididymis?
To store sperm until ejaculation
Is sperm acidic or alkaline?
Alkaline
Is the vagina acidic or alkaline?
Acidic
What is the scrotum?
Fleshy pouch of skin to enclose the testes and maintain lower than normal body temperature for sperm production.
What is the role of the seminiferous tubules?
To produce spermatozoa
What surrounds the testes?
2 layers named the tunica vaginalis and tunica albuginea, which divides the testis into lobules or septa
What hormone secretes testosterone?
Interstitial or Leydig cells
What is the role of testosterone?
Increasing muscle mass, secondary sex characteristics, maturation of sperm and metabolism