mod 3: The Male and Female Reproductive Systems Flashcards
gonads (definition)
sex organs that produce gametes. testes and ovaries are gonads
sperm (definition)
the male gamete, formed in the testes and stored in the epididymis
sex hormone (definition)
a biochemical compound controlling the development, maintenance, and function of the reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics
primary sex characteristics (definition)
structures that are directly essential for reproduction
secondary sex characteristics (definition)
structures that are distinguish male from female but are not essential for reproduction
gamete (definition)
haploid cell made during meiosis that participates in fertilization to make a zygote. sperm and ova are gametes
testes (definition)
paired male gonads that produce sperm and secrete testosterone
scrotum (definition)
pouch of skin located below the penis that holds the testes
seminiferous tubules (definition)
coiled, hollow tubes in the testes within which sperm are produced
Sertoli cells (definition)
nurse cells in the seminiferous tubules that assist in spermatogenesis and produce the hormone inhibin. they also protect sperm from attack by the body’s immune system
epididymis (definition)
a cap on each testis where sperm are matured and stored prior to ejaculation
ductus deferens (definition)
smooth muscle tube that carries the sperm from the epididymis to the penis
ejaculatory duct (definition)
a short tube from the ductus deferens to the penis
seminal vesicles (definition)
glands producing a fluid containing fructose, which supplies energy for use by sperm and is a component of semen
prostate gland (definition)
a muscle-like gland secreting alkaline fluid to neutralize acids the sperm may encounter such as in the vagina or from traces of urine in the urethra. secretes a component of semen
Cowper’s gland (definition)
a gland that secretes alkaline fluid that neutralizes acid in the urethra and lubricates it, supposedly making ejaculation smoother. secretes a component of semen
urethra (definition)
the tube leading from the bladder to the penis. the ejaculatory duct leads to the urethra. urine and semen both use this duct, though a sphincter of the bladder prevents from urine exiting at the same time as semen
ejaculation (definition)
release of semen from the penis. sensory stimulation, arousal, and coordinated muscle contractions combine to trigger the release of semen from the penis
interstitial cells (definition)
cells within the testes outside the seminiferous tubules (between them). produce testosterone
sperm pathway (step by step description)
1) sperm is produced in the testes (gonads that produce gametes and sex hormones), which takes 64-72 days within the seminiferous tubules, and where sertoli cells nourish them.
2) the sperm travels to the epididymus, where the sperm matures for 10-14 days and is stored
3) sperm moves from the epididymus into the ductus deferens
4) the sperm becomes a component of semen: the seminal vesicles secrete a fructose-containing fluid that will nourish the sperm and keep it alive, and the prostate and Cowper’s glands secrete alkaline fluids that protect the sperm from acidic environments and lubricate the urethra
5) the semen moves into the ejaculatory duct from the ductus deferens and into the urethra
6) sensory stimulation, arousal, and coordinated muscle contractions combine o trigger the ejaculation of semen from the penis
sperm (structure)
three parts:
1) the oval head: contains the nucleus and 23 chromosomes, covered in a cap-like structure: the acrosome, which stores enzymes necessary to penetrate the protective layer surrounding the egg cell
2) a cylindrical middle piece: contains mitochondria that provide energy for the end of the sperm
3) an extended tail: the “flagellum” propels the sperm forward with a lashing/whipping motion at a stunning speed of 3 metres per hour
menarche (definition)
a person’s first menstrual cycle
menstruation (simple definition)
the monthly shedding of the endometrial lining
ovaries (definition)
paired female gonads that produce eggs and secrete progesterone and estrogen hormones
egg cell (definition)
“ovum”, “ova”, “oocyte”. female gamete that contributes half of the chromosomes to the zygote in sexual reproduction. produced in the ovaries
follicles (definition)
specialized cells that surround and nurture the developing ova in the ovary and that secrete estrogen and progesterone
fimbriae (definition)
finger-like projections that sweep ovulated ovum into the oviduct
oviduct (definition)
“Fallopian tube”. the cilia-lined tube of smooth muscle that carries the ovulated egg from each ovary to the uterus
uterus (definition)
the reproductive organ in which embryonic and fetal development occurs
zygote (definition)
“fertilized egg”. a single cell produced by the fusion of a sperm and an egg cell
endometrial lining (definition)
the lining of the uterus that is thickened monthly to allow the implantation of an embryo, and is shed in menstruation if fertilization does not occur
cervix (definition)
the tightly constricted opening from the vagina into the uterus
vagina (definition)
the muscular tube that leads from the uterus to the external environment
embryo (definition)
the offspring in the period of development from the cleavage of the zygote to the ninth week, at which point the embryo becomes a fetus
vulva (definition)
external female genital organs. includes the labia major and minor–two skin flaps that protect the opening of the vagina–as well as the glans clitoris, which becomes erect during arousal