Reproduction Flashcards
Why do sperm cells have lots of mitochondria?
For energy production.
What is the scientific name to describe a sperm cell’s tail?
Flagellum.
What is the function of the testes?
Produces sperm.
What is the function of the scrotum?
The sac that holds and protects the testes at a low temperature,
What is the function of the sperm tube?
Carries sperm from the testes to the urethra.
What is the function of the penis?
The organ that introduces sperm into the vagina.
What is the function of the prostate gland?
Adds fluid to sperm to allow sperm to flourish.
What is the function of the urethra?
The tube through which sperm leaves the penis.
What is the function of the ovary?
Produces ova/eggs.
What is the function of the oviduct?
Fertilisation happens here. Carries the egg to the uterus.
What is the function of the uterus?
Nourishes developing foetus if pregnancy results.
What is the function of the cervix?
The opening of the uterus which widens during birth.
What is the function of the vagina?
The place where sperm enters during sexual intercourse.
What is the name given to an egg or sperm celll with 23 chromosomes?
A gamete or a haploid egg or haploid sperm.
When a sperm cell and an egg cell during fertilisation, what is this called?
A zygote (46 chromosones) or a diploid.
What is a hormone?
A chemical messenger that travels through the blood to a target organ.
What is the name of the male sex hormone, where is it produced?
Testosterone and is produced in the testes.
What is the name of the female sex hormone, where is it produced?
Oestrogen and is produced in the ovaries.
What do the male and female sex hormones control?
The development of secondary sexual characteristics.
What are the main secondary sexual characteristics in males?
-The voice deepens
-The body becomes more muscular
What are the main secondary sexual characteristics in females?
-Breasts develop
-The pelvis and hips widen
-Menstruation begins
What are the main secondary sexual characteristics in both males and females?
-Body hair and public hair develops
-Sexual awareness and drive increases
-Sexual organs enlarge
What is the definition of fertilisation?
When a sperm and an egg meet in the oviduct; fertilisation takes place. The haploid nucleus of the egg fuses with the haploid nucleus of the sperm to restore the diploid number of chromosomes.
How are sperm and egg cells created?
They are formed by meiosis.
How are the sperm and egg cells adapted?
- They both have 23 chromosomes (HAPLOID). This is important as it allows them to restore the DIPLOID number of 46 chromosomes.
- They both have many mitochondria for energy production.
- The sperm cell has a FLAGELLUM which helps it to swim.
What are the names of that two blood vessels in the amniotic cord?
- Umbilical artery
- Umbilical vein
What substances are carried to the foetus?
Oxygen, glucose, amino acids.
What substances are away from the foetus?
Carbon dioxide and urea.
What is step 1 in the process of fertilisation and pregnancy?
Fertilisation takes place in the oviducts when the haploid sperm and egg nuclei fuse to give a diploid zygote.
What is step 2 in the process of fertilisation and pregnancy?
The fertilised egg becomes the first cell of the new individual-the zygote. The zygote divides by mitosis many times to form a ball of cells as it travels down the oviduct to the uterus.
What is step 3 in the process of fertilisation and pregnancy?
The ball becomes an EMBRYO which becomes implanted to the LINING of the UTERUS. The embryo then DIFFERENTIATES to produce a variety of TISSUES and ORGANS.
At the point where the embryo begins to develop in the uterus lining, what is formed?
The placenta and the umbilical cord.
What develops around the embryo in the uterus lining? What does it contain?
A protective membrane, the AMNION. It contains AMNIOTIC FLUID, within which the embryo develops.
What does the amniotic fluid do?
It CUSHIONS the delicate developing embryo/foetus while it differentiates into tissues and organs.
After a few weeks, the embryo is referred to as what?
A foetus.
What is the function of the placenta? What happens here? How does it do this?
It is the structure that links the uterus WALL to the FOETUS via the UMBILICAL CORD. It is here that the exchange of materials takes place between the mum and the foetus BY DIFFUSION!
How is the placenta adapted for diffusion?
-It has a VERY LARGE SURFACE AREA at the POINT of CONTACT with the UTERINE LINING.
-The surface area between the uterine wall and the placenta is FURTHER INCREASED by SMALL VILLI (EXTENSIONS) in the placenta that extend to the uterus wall.
How does the VILLI increase the rate of exchange of substances between the mother’s blood and the blood of the foetus.
It increases the surface area for diffusion.
