Reproduction

Question 1

Function of the female reproductive system

Answer 1

1. Produce Haploid gametes
2. Facilitate fertilisation
3. Site for implantation of the embryo
4. Provide physical and nutritional needs to nurture neonate after birth

Question 2

Ovarian asymmetry

Answer 2

Only one ovary is active each month

Question 3

What are the phases of the menstrual cycle and which primary sex hormones are they mediated by

Answer 3

Pre-Ovulatory Phase - Mediated by Oestrogen

Post-Ovulatory Phase - Mediated by progesterone

Question 4

What region of the ovary contains the majority of the blood supply?

Answer 4

Medulla

Question 5

Which region of the ovary contains the developing eggs?

Answer 5

Cortex

Question 6

What is the connective tissue layer that surrounds the ovary?

Answer 6

Tunica albuginea

Question 7

What is Germinal epithelium?

Answer 7

Cuboidal epithelial cells that surround the ovary and are derived from the peritoneum

Question 8

Effects of FSH in Females

Answer 8

• Stimulates follicle cells to produce oestrogen during pre-ovulatory stage
• Causes ovulation
• Stimulates corpus luteum to produce progesterone during post-ovulatory
  stage

Question 9

Effects of FSH in males

Answer 9

• Stimulates sertoli cells to produce androgen binding protein
• Stimulates spermatogenesis
• Stimulates sertoli cells to produce inhibin which provides negative feedback to decrease FSH secretion when testosterone levels get too high

Question 10

Effects of LH in males

Answer 10

Stimulates leydig cells to produce testosterone

Stimulates spermatogenesis

Question 11

Effects of LH in females

Answer 11

Stimulates follicle cells to produce oestrogen during pre-ovulatory stage
Causes ovulation
Triggers corpus luteum formation

Question 12

Define Puberty

Answer 12

Period at beginning of adolescence where sex glands become functional and secondary sex characteristics emerge

Question 13

What changes can be seen during puberty?

Answer 13

Reproductive organs change size
Pubic hair
Deepening of voice

Question 14

Difference between puberty and adolescence

Answer 14

Puberty - Characterised by physical changes seen

Adolescence - physiological/behavioural changes

Question 15

Name the mature female reproductive cell

Answer 15

Ovum

Question 16

Name the mature male reproductive cell

Answer 16

Spermatozoan

Question 17

Where does fertilisation occur?

Answer 17

Ampulla of uterine tube

Question 18

What is the size of a human egg?

Answer 18

100-150um

Question 19

What is the size of a human sperm?

Answer 19

6um

Question 20

What is syngamy?

Answer 20

Fusion of gametes

Question 21

How long after ovulation does gamete fusion occur?

Answer 21

12-24 hours

Question 22

What is the role of female reproductive system with regards to sperm?

Answer 22

Female reproductive tract filters sperm

Question 23

What happens to sperm in the female tract?

Answer 23

Capacitation
Acrosomal reaction
Motility changes

Question 24

How long does it take for sperm to develop?

Answer 24

60-75 days

Question 25

Why is genetic information in sperm supercondensed?

Answer 25

Protects genetic information from damage

Question 26

What happens during pronuclear fusion?

Answer 26

Sperm nucleus forms male pronucleus, egg completes meiosis and forms female pronucleus, pronuclei fuse on metaphase plate

Question 27

Define morula

Answer 27

Developmental stage where embryo consists of solid ball of cells within zona pellucida

Question 28

Layers of uterine wall

Answer 28

Perimetrium Myometrium Endometrium

Question 29

Structure of endometrium

Answer 29

Simple columnar epithelial cells Compound tubular glands Spiral arteries

Question 29

Structure of endometrium

Answer 29

Simple columnar epithelial cells Compound tubular glands Spiral arteries

Question 30

Cervix

Answer 30

Cervical canal connects uterus to vagina Interior os and exterior os at its margins Glands secrete mucus to prevent microbes reaching uterus

Question 31

Structure of vaginal wall

Answer 31

Adventia Muscularis Mucosa

Question 32

What happens during the follicular phase?

Answer 32

Hypothalamus releases GnRH GnRH stimulates FSH and LH release from anterior pituitary Stimulate ovary to release oestrogen Oestrogen negatively feeds back at pituitary and hypothalamus

Question 33

What happens during Midcycle?

Answer 33

Hypothalamus releases GnRH GnRH stimulates FSH and LH release from anterior pituitary Stimulate ovary to release oestrogen Oestrogen positively feeds back at pituitary and hypothalamus

Question 34

What happens during luteal phase?

Answer 34

Hypothalamus releases GnRH GnRH stimulates FSH and LH release from anterior pituitary Stimulate ovary to release progesterone progesterone negatively feeds back at pituitary and hypothalamus

Question 35

What happens during proliferative stage?

Answer 35

secretion of oestrogen increases | Stimulates growth of endometrium, glands, stroma, and spiral arteries elongate

Question 36

What happens during secretory phase?

Answer 36

Progesterone secretion increses | Endometrial proliferation slows and thickness decreases

Question 37

How do sperm reach the ampulla?

Answer 37

Their own motile action | Contraction of uterus, cervix and fallopian tube

Question 38

What happens when sperm encounters the egg?

Answer 38

Acrosomal reaction - Exocytosis of acrosome structure, releasing hydrolytic enzymes, enabling penetration through granular cells

Question 39

What happens after penetration of the oocyte

Answer 39

Increased intracellular Ca2+ triggers second meiotic division Granules containing enzymes fuse with the plasma membrane and enzymes act on glycoproteins of zona pellucida to harden the layer