Pregnancy and Human Development

Question 1

What does capacitation do for sperm?

Answer 1

Enhances motility and makes their membrane more fragile (for acrosomal rxn)

Question 2

What triggers the acrosomal reaction?

Answer 2

Binding of sperm to zona pellucida, and an increase of calcium in the sperm

Question 3

HCG

Answer 3

Present during pregnancy, acts to keep corpus luteum active (secreted hormones)

Question 4

hPL

Answer 4

Stimulates breast development, fetal bone growth and glucose availability (decreased insulin sensitivity)

Question 5

What does the ectoderm give rise to?

Answer 5

Nervous system and epidermis of skin

Question 6

What does the endoderm give rise to?

Answer 6

Epithelial linings of many systems

Question 7

What is organogenesis?

Answer 7

Formation of body organ systems in a growing fetus

Question 8

Parturition

Answer 8

Giving birth

Question 9

What initiates parturition?

Answer 9

Release of fetal cortisol

Question 10

What allows for labour to occur?

Answer 10

Decrease in progesterone (increase in estrogen) and affinity for oxytocin receptors in the myometrium

Question 11

Prolactin

Answer 11

Stimulates milk production

Question 12

Oxytocin (in regards to lactation)

Answer 12

Contracts alveoli to release milk (let-down reflex)