Reproduction Flashcards
What produces gametes?
Meiosis
Where is sperm produced?
In the seminiferous tubules in the testes.
What do the prostate gland and seminal vesicles do to help sperm?
They secrete fluids that maintain the mobility and viability of the sperm.
What do the interstitial cells produce?
The hormone testosterone.
What is the female gamete and where is it found?
The gamete is the ova and they are found in the ovaries.
What is each ovum surrounded by that protects it and secrets hormones?
A follicle
Where are mature ova released into to await sperm?
The oviduct
When a mature ova is fertilised what is formed?
A zygote
What controls the onset of puberty, sperm production and the menstrual cycle?
Hormones.
What does the hypothalamus secret at puberty?
Releaser hormones
What two hormones does the pituitary gland release in females?
Follicle stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone.
What two hormones does the pituitary gland release in males?
Follicle stimulating hormone and interstitial cell stimulating hormone.
What does FSH promote in males?
Sperm production in the seminiferous tubules in the testes.
What does ICSH stimulate?
The interstitial cells in the testes to produce testosterone.
What does testosterone do?
Testosterone also stimulates sperm production and activates the prostate gland and seminal vesicles to produce their fluid secretions.
How is overproduction of testosterone prevented?
By a negative feedback mechanism. High testosterone inhibits the secretion of FSH and ICSH from the pituitary gland, resulting in a decrease in the production of testosterone by the interstitial cells.
How long does the menstrual cycle take approximately?
28 days
Which day of menstrual cycle is regarded as menstruation?
Day 1
What does FSH stimulate in females?
The development and maturation of a follicle surrounding the ovum and the production oestrogen by the follicle.
What oestrogen stimulate?
The repair and proliferation of the endometrium, preparing it for implanting as well as affecting the consistency of the cervical mucus making it more easily penetrated by the sperm.
What does a peak level of oestrogen stimulate?
A surge in the secretion of LH by the pituitary gland.
What does the surge in LH trigger?
Ovulation
What is ovulation?
Ovulation is the release of an egg (ovum) from a follicle in the ovary and usually occurs around the midpoint of the menstrual cycle.
What does LH stimulate?
The development of the corpus luteum from the follicle and stimulates the corpus luteum to secrete progesterone.
What does progesterone promote?
Further development and vascularisation of the endometrium preparing it for implantation if fertilised.
What do high levels of oestrogen and progesterone inhibit?
The secretion of FSH and LH by the pituitary gland, which prevents further follicles from developing.
What does the lack of LH at the end of the menstrual cycle lead to?
The degeneration of the corpus luteum with a subsequent drop in progesterone levels, leading to menstruation.
If fertilisation occurs what happens to the corpus luteum?
It does not degenerate and progesterone levels remain high.
What type of fertility do men show and why?
Continuously fertility as they continuously produce sperm due to the constant levels of pituitary hormones.