Reproduction Flashcards
what does reproduction do?
assures maintenance of a species
is an energy-demanding physiological process
primary reproductive organs
ovaries and testes
have endocrine and reproductive functions
secondary reproductive organs
reproductive ducts and glands (e.g. uterus, fallopian tubes)
secondary sex structures and characteristics
involved in sexual attraction, NOT reproduction facial and pubic hair voice mammary glands plummage (birds) body color (reptiles)
what are the functional units of testes?
seminiferous tubules
what performs reproductive function in males?
spermatogonial cells
what are the endocrine cells in testes?
leydig cells (produce androgens) sertoli cells (produce inhibin)
what is the role of the basal lamina of testes?
forms blood/testis barrier
epididymis
stores sperm and facilitates their functional maturation
adjusts the composition of tubular fluid
recycling center for damaged sperm
lined with pseudo-stratified columnar epithelial cells
seminal vesicles
make 60% of semen
alkaline
contains fructose and prostaglandins
capacitation (functional maturation of sperm)
where does final maturation of sperm occur?
in the female reproductive tract
prostate
contains a slightly acidic solution that contributes to 20-30% of semen’s volume
what are reproductive hormones responsible for?
development (brain differentiation)
sexual maturation
gametogenesis
mating
GnRH
Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone
hypothamalic hormone that regulates FSH and LH release in the anterior pituitary
gonadotropins
protein hormones produced by the anterior pituitary
controls steroid hormone synthesis in vertebrate glands
types: FSH, LH, chorionic gonadotropin (CG; is NOT produced in the pituitary)