Male Reproductive System Flashcards
Which organ/vessel is responsible for storing sperm once it is produced?
After sperm is produced in the testicle, it travels to the epididymus where it is stored.
Which gamete determines the sex of offspring and how is this determined?
The sperm carries with it either an X chromosome OR Y chromosome from the male parent. Sex is determined by the sperm that penetrates and fertilizes the ovum. For example, if the Y carrying sperm fertilizes the ovum, then the offspring will be male.
How many pairs of autosomes does each parent contain? How many sex chromosomes does each parent contain?
There are 23 pairs of chromosomes in the human body. Twenty two (pairs) of which are autosomes (determine hereditary traits such as hair color, eye color, height, etc.) and only 1 pair are sex chromosomes.
Which hormone is present to produce the male reproductive organs in the male fetus?
Testosterone is the hormone present in the male fetus that allows the testicles and penis to develop and mature in the male body. When testosterone is absent, the female reproductive organs develop and mature.
What vessel(s) carry sperm to the urethra?
The vas deferens (also known as the ductus deferens) carry sperm to the urethra.
Track the path of a sperm beginning with where it is produced and where it exits.
A sperm is produced in the seminiferous tubule of the testicle; it then travels to the epididymis where it is fertile for up to 60 days; sperm then travels through the ductus deferens to the ejaculatory duct (this duct is surrounded by the prostate gland); sperm finally travels through the urethra where it exits the body.
Sperm is produced in a low oxygen concentrated atmosphere. Why is this an advantage and what does it rely on for energy?
Sperm relies on large amounts of mitochondria in its head and tail for energy, along with fructose. It does not rely on oxygen because it must survive in an oxygen deprived environment (vagina) as it attempts to fertilize the ovum.
2-5 ml of fluid is expelled during the male orgasm. What percentage is fluid and what percentage is sperm?
Approximately 90% is fluid (seminal and prostatic) and 10% is sperm.
