Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Physiology 2130 > Module 14 > Flashcards

Module 14 Flashcards

1
Q

List the overall functions of both reproductive systems

A

Pass on genes of the individuals

Maintain the species

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Describe the fetal development of the reproductive system before differentiation

A

First 6 weeks, common/indifferent gonads
Two sets of primitive reproductive tracts: Wolffian duct (mesonephric) and Mullerian duct (paramesonephric)
At 6-7 weeks, presence of Y chromosome causes gonads to develop into testes
At 9 weeks, XX chromosomes are activated and ovaries develop

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Describe male fetus development

A

7 weeks: testicular cells begin to produce MIH, causing Mullerian duct to regress
9 weeks: testicular cells begin producing testosterone, stimulating Wolffian duct to develop into epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, and urethra, then external genitalia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Describe female fetus development

A

Development of the reproductive tract and external genitalia requires no hormonal control
Since no MIH, Mullerian duct develops into fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and part of vagina
Since no testosterone, Wolffian duct regresses and female external genitalia develop

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

List the functions of the male reproductive system

A

Produce testosterone
Produce sperm (spermatogenesis)
Deliver sperm to the female vagina

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

List the functions of the female reproductive system

A

Producing estrogen and progesterone
Produce eggs
Receive sperm
Provide the optimal conditions for the development of the fetus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

List the parts of the male reproductive system

A

External genitalia: penis and scrotum
Penis: urethra, glans penis, corpus spongiosum and cavernosum
Scrotum: testes and epididymis
Ductus/vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate, bulbourethral gland
Testes: seminiferous tubules, Sertoli cells, Leydig cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Describe the function of the seminiferous tubules

A

Site of spermatogenesis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Describe the function of Sertoli cells

A

Regulate spermatogenesis, maintain developing sperm cells, produce inhibin, secrete fluid that pushes immature sperm into epididymis, form the BTB
BTB isolates developing sperm cells from blood so immune system won’t attack and destroy them

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Describe the function of Leydig cells

A

Produce testosterone

Located in the interstitial space between seminiferous tubules

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Describe the function of the epididymis

A

Final maturation area for sperm

Storage site for sperm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Describe the function of the vas deferens

A

Carries sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct, which drains into the urethra

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Describe the function of the seminal vesicles

A

Contribute fluid to semen during ejaculation

The fluid is rich in fructose and enzymes and helps maintain and nourish sperm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Describe the function of the prostate gland

A

Secretes enzymes and fluid that help neutralize the acid environment of the urethra and vagina

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Describe the function of the bulbourethral gland

A

Secretes fluid that helps neutralize the pH and lubricate the urethra and vagina to create an optimal environment for the sperm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Describe the function of the urethra (in males)

A

Transports sperm during ejaculation and drains the bladder during urination

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Describe spermatogenesis

A

At beginning of puberty, sperm production begins
Germ cells contain 46 chromosomes, located at outer edge of seminiferous tubules, divide by mitosis into spermatogonia and primary spermatocyte
Primary spermatocyte undergoes meiosis into secondary spermatocytes then spermatids (23 chromosomes)
Dividing cells are surrounded by Sertoli cells, make their way into center of tubule
Spermatids develop into sperm cells, released by Sertoli cells into lumen of seminiferous tubules
Takes 64 days
Complete maturation takes 12 more days as sperm moves to epididymis by fluid secreted by Sertoli cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Describe the structure of sperm cells

A

Head with an acrosome and nucleus
Midpiece with mitochondria
Long tail or flagellum to propel itself once mature

19
Q

Describe the control of testicular function

A

Functions of testes controlled by FSH and LH
FSH acts on Sertoli cells to promote spermatogenesis while producing inhibin (feeds back to AP to decrease release of LH and FSH)
LH stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone (feeds back to both H and AP to decrease LH and FSH)

20
Q

List the functions of testosterone

A

Development of male reproductive tract and external genitalia in embryo
Growth and development of all male reproductive organs at puberty
Development of male secondary sex characteristics at puberty
Sex drive at puberty
Spermatogenesis
Bone and skeletal muscle growth
Increased aggression

21
Q

Define testosterone (in males)

A

A steroid hormone produced by Leydig cells in the testes

22
Q

Describe the production of testosterone

A

A series of complex reactions, begins with cholesterol, forms several intermediates, ends with testosterone
Cholesterol and testosterone are very structurally similar
Progesterone is one of the intermediates

23
Q

Describe testosterone levels in relation to age

A

Rise during fetal development, and brief rise after birth
Remain low until puberty
Between 9-14, GnRH begins to increase, leads to increase in LH and FSH, causing increase in T
16-18 sexual maturity and peak T levels
Beginning at 40, slow decrease in T levels
At 50, sperm production decreases

24
Q

Define andropause

A

Period of decreased testosterone production after 40, may occur because Leydig cells no longer fully respond to LH
Accompanied by decreased sexual desire and erectile ability, fatigue and depression, decreased lean body mass, increased obesity, decreased bone density

25
Q

List the parts of the female reproductive system

A

External genitalia: vulva
Vulva: clitoris, labia majora, labia minora, vaginal orifice
Internally: vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, fimbria, ovaries

26
Q

Describe the function of the vagina

A

Receives the penis and sperm during copulation, allows for discharge of fluid during menstruation, and the birth of the baby

27
Q

Describe the function of the cervix

A

Secretes mucus that varies during the menstrual cycle - from thin to facilitate sperm entry to thick to prevent sperm entry

28
Q

Describe the function of the uterus

A

The site of implantation of the fertilized egg, and where the developing embryo is nourished and maintained
During menstruation, the uterine lining undergoes several phases under hormonal control

29
Q

Describe the function of the fallopian tubes

A

The site of fertilization of the egg, contain cilia that pass the egg from the fimbria to the uterus

30
Q

Describe the function of the fimbria

A

Capture the egg after it is expelled from the ovaries and funnel it into the infundibulum

31
Q

Describe the function of the ovaries

A

Produce eggs (oogenesis), and produce estrogen and progesterone

32
Q

Define oogenesis

A

The production of one viable oocyte

33
Q

Describe oogenesis

A

During development, egg contained in a follicle
First stage: begins with production of several million oogonia in embryo
Develop into primary follicles, consist of outer granulosa cells and contain the primary oocyte
Granulosa cells secrete fluid into interior follicle, forms antrum
Primary oocyte and follicle remain this way until puberty
At puberty, ovaries activated by GnRH (only several hundred thousand primary oocytes and follicles survived, and menstruation begins)
After puberty, primary follicle develops theca cells outside granulosa cells
Primary follicle enlarges and develops into mature follicle
Oocyte separates from granulosa cells, floats into antrum

34
Q

Describe ovulation

A

Follicle grows, production of estrogen from ovaries increases dramatically, causes granulosa cells to grow and produce more estrogen
Instead of decreasing LH and FSH, increases both
LH surge causes granulosa cells to secrete large amounts of fluid into antrum, causing swell, rupture, and expelling egg
Egg gathered by fimbria into fallopian tube
Mature follicle degenerates into corpus luteum
Corpus luteum degenerates into corpus albicans if no fertilization

35
Q

Define estrogen

A

A group of hormones, including 17B-estradiol, estrone, and estriol
Principal estrogen secretes by ovaries in humans is estradiol, which is more potent than estrone or estriol

36
Q

Describe the production of estrogen

A

Similar to testosterone, continuation of same series of reactions
Requires uptake of cholesterol by the ovaries
LH stimulates theca cells to convert cholesterol into androstenedione
Small amount of androstenedione converted to estradiol by theca cells and released into circulation
Majority of astrostenedione secreted into granulosa cells to convert into estradiol due to FSH

37
Q

Describe the production of progesterone

A

Produced in small quantities by both granulosa cells and theca cells before ovulation
LH stimulates both cells to produce progesterone
After ovulation of the oocyte, mature follicle degenerates into corpus luteum, which secretes E and large amounts of P to prepare lining of uterus for implantation
If no implantation, corpus luteum becomes scar tissue
P levels vary during menstrual cycle

38
Q

Describe estrogen levels in relation to age

A

Low levels of E during childhood until puberty
Between 8-13, dramatic rise in E, caused by increased secretion of GnRH from H, increases LH and FSH
Pulsate nature of E levels due to very high levels causing positive feedback at AP, producing LH surge to cause ovulation
E levels reach peak then begin to decline in adulthood
Between 40-50, menstrual cycle becomes irregular, ovulation may not occur during some cycles
Cycles stop around 50

39
Q

Define and describe menopause

A

Period of decreased E production and cessation of menstrual cycles
Seems to be caused by decrease in number of primary follicles in the ovaries
With fewer follicles, less E produced, little negative feedback, rise in LH and FSH, resulting in ovaries less responsive to high levels of LH and FSH, causing drop in E levels

Menopause characterized by hot flashes, irritability and anxiety, fatigue, lack of strength, decreased bone density

40
Q

List the stages of the menstrual cycle

A

Proliferative phase, days 7-14
Secretory/luteal phase, days 14-28
Menses, days 0-7
Cycle repeats

41
Q

Describe the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle

A

Days 7-14
Follicle increases production of E, causing LH surge
Follicle ruptures, egg expelled
E and P stimulate growth of uterine lining

42
Q

Describe the secretory/luteal phase of the menstrual cycle

A

Day 14-28
Follicle develops into corpus luteum, increases production of P that prepares uterus for implantation
If fertilization and implantation don’t occur, corpus luteum becomes corpus albicans and P levels drop

43
Q

Describe menses of the menstrual cycle

A

Days 0-7
Levels of LH, FSH, E and P are low
Lining of uterus cannot be maintained, uterine lining lost

44
Q

Describe the birth control pill

A

Most widely used contraception in NA, two principal hormones, synthetic E and/or P in different combinations and strengths
Contraceptive effects occur by several mechanisms, including decreasing GnRH, LH and FSH levels by introducing E and P that act like natural hormones
Synthetic P produces thick cervical mucus to inhibit sperm entering the uterus, and decreases motility of uterus and fallopian tubes

Physiology 2130 (16 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions