male reproductive system

Question 1

function

Answer 1

produce male gametes
deliver male gametes to the female reproductive tract

Question 2

testes

Answer 2

production of spermatozoa
production of male sex hormone = testosterone

Question 3

ducts

Answer 3

sperm storage, maturation, and transport

Question 4

accessory glands

Answer 4

secrete majority of seminal fluid
secretions function in maintenance and maturation of sperm

Question 5

penis

Answer 5

male organ of copulation
common pathway for urine and semen

Question 6

semen

Answer 6

spermatozoa + secretions of accessory glands

Question 7

testis

Answer 7

tunica albuginea = outer coat
tunica vaginalis = inner layer → visceral + parietal = scrotal cavity
seminiferous tubules
rete testis
efferent ductules
epididymis
ductus deferens
spermatic cord

Question 8

seminiferous tubules

Answer 8

spermatogenic cells undergo maturation to form spermatozoa = sperm cells in lumen of tubules
passages between tubules have interstitial cells

Question 9

spermatogenesis

Answer 9

process by which sperm is produced within seminiferous tubules
spermatogonia → primary spermatocytes → secondary spermatocytes → spermatids → spermatozoa
maturation process occurs as cells move from outside to inside of tube

Question 10

Sertoli cells

Answer 10

walls of seminiferous tubules
reach basement membrane + lumen of tubule

Question 11

blood testis barrier

Answer 11

tight junctions in between sertoli cells form seal around sperm cells as they move towards lumen during maturation

Question 12

spermiogenesis

Answer 12

final stage of spermatogenesis
transformation of round spermatid into asymmetric spermatozoa:
- condensation of nucleus
- formation of acrosome
- development of flagellum

Question 13

spermatozoa

Answer 13

male gametes
acrosomal cap above nucleus
mitochondria in midpiece produce ATP that generates the beating of the flagellum

Question 14

acrosome

Answer 14

breaks down when sperm contacts egg
contains enzymes that bore a hole in the zona pellucida
allows sperm to reach plasma membrane of egg
egg + sperm plasma membranes fuse at fertilization

Question 15

immune system

Answer 15

established shortly after birth
→ testes only contain spermatogonia and sertoli cells
spermatocytes, spermatids, and sperm do not develop until puberty = would be foreign to immune system
blood-testis barrier is necessary

Question 16

leydig cells

Answer 16

synthesize + secrete testosterone
large vascular network in interstital space and surrounding cells

Question 17

testosterone

Answer 17

regulates spermatogenesis
stimulates development and maintenance of male secondary sex characteristics

Question 18

FSH

Answer 18

stimulates sertoli cells to support spermatogenesis

Question 19

LH

Answer 19

stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone

Question 20

epididymis

Answer 20

tubal network
storage of sperm = undergoes maturation process to become motile
= static is necessary to expose sperm to environment

Question 21

ductus deferens

Answer 21

long muscular tube - thick smooth muscle wall
lined by pseudostratified epithelium
small lumen
conducts sperm from epididymis to seminal vesicles

Question 22

seminal vesicles

Answer 22

smooth muscle
mucosa = make fluid
secrete ~60% of seminal fluid
secretions contain coagulating factors = form bolus of semen
high fructose content = energy source for sperm
enables sperm motility

Question 23

prostate gland

Answer 23

smooth muscle + vacuoles
secretes ~30% of seminal fluid
contains hydrolytic enzymes = liquefy ejaculated semen
releases spermatozoa

Question 24

erectile tissue

Answer 24

corpus spongiosum (2 = dorsal)
corups cavernosum = ventral

Question 25

blood supply of penis

Answer 25

central (deep) arteries supply blood to corpora cavernosa → drained by veins in surrounding connective tissue sheath

Question 26

urethra

Answer 26

stratified squamous epithelium
distensible
glands of littre = secrete into lumen to maintain luminal surface = helps protect + buffer

Question 27

bulbourethral gland

Answer 27

protection of sperm from acidity of urine
sends fluid prior to ejaculation to clean