Reproduction (Humans)

Question 1

What is the prostate gland and its function?

Answer 1

It is the circular gland under the bladder, attached to the sperm ducts
It produces a fluid called semen providing sperm cells with nutrients

Question 2

What are the seminal vesicles and their function?

Answer 2

They are the two small circular glands attached to the sperm ducts
They produce a fluid called semen providing sperm cells with nutrients

Question 3

What is the function of the sperm duct?

Answer 3

It is for sperm to pass through from the testes and mix with the fluids produced by the glands before passing into the urethra

Question 4

In men, what is the urethra and its function?

Answer 4

It runs down the centre of the penis, and is connected to the bladder and the sperm duct

It carrys and releases either semen or urine

A ring of muscle in the urethra prevents the two from mixing

Question 5

What are the functions of the testes?

Answer 5

Produces sperm (the male gametes)
Produces testosterone

Question 6

What is the function of the scrotum

Answer 6

The sac supports the testes, keeping them outside the body as sperm production prefers a temperature of roughly 34 not 37

Question 7

What are the functions of the penis?

Answer 7

To pass urine out of the body
To allow semen to be released inside of a womens vagina

Question 8

What is the oviduct and its function?

Answer 8

It is a tube connecting each ovary to the uterus
It is lined with ciliated cells to push the ovum down
Fertilisation occurs in the oviduct

Question 9

What are the functions of the ovaries?

Answer 9

They produce and contain ova
They mature and release eggs when hormones are released

Question 10

In women, what is the urethra and its function?

Answer 10

It connects the bladder and the hole, allowing urine to be released

Question 11

What is the uterus and its function?

Answer 11

It is a muscular bag, where the zygote (fertilised egg) implants itself to develop into a foetus

Question 12

What is the cervix and its function?

Answer 12

It is a ring of muscle at the lower end of the uterus, in between the vagina and the uterus

It keeps the foetus in place during pregnancy

Question 13

What is the vagina and its function?

Answer 13

It is a muscular tube with an opening which leads to the uterus
It is where the penis enters during sexual intercourse and deposits sperm

Question 14

How long is the average menstrual cycle?

Answer 14

What happens on the first 5-7 days on the menstrual cycle if fertilisation of the oviduct did not happen?

Question 15

What happens on the first 5-7 days on the menstrual cycle if fertilisation of the oviduct did not happen?

Answer 15

Menstruation occurs, where the lining of the uterus is broken down in preperation for the next cycle which lasts 5-7 days

Question 16

When is Oestrogen released?

Answer 16

• Oestrogen levels rise from day 1 to peak just before day 14
• They peak just before the release of the egg
• Rises slightly again post-ovulation

Question 17

When is Progesterone released?

Answer 17

• Progesterone stays low from day 1 – 14 and starts to rise once ovulation has occurred
• After day 14, it rises rapidly before falling again around day 28

Question 18

What is The role of Oestrogen in the Menstrual cycle?

Answer 18

• Oestrogen causes the the uterine lining to rebuild after day 7
• rises post ovulation to inhibit the release of FSH and LH

Question 19

What does FSH do?

Answer 19

• Released by the pituitary gland and causes an egg to start maturing in the ovary
• It also stimulates the ovaries to start releasing oestrogen
• Released by Pituitary Gland

Question 20

What does LH do?

Answer 20

• LH causes ovulation to occur and also stimulates the ovary to produce progesterone
• Released by Pituitary Gland

Question 20

How does the blood of the foetus connect to the placenta?

Answer 20

• The umbilical cord
• Their blood gets very close but never mixes

Question 21

What does the foetus do?

Answer 21

• Provides the baby with proteins, water, oxygen, mineral ions and vitamins
• Absorbs waste products such as carbon dioxide and urea

Question 22

How do most substances move across the placenta?

Answer 22

• by diffusion due to difference in concentration gradients

Question 23

How is the placenta adapted to its function?

Answer 23

• Large surface area
• Thin wall
• For effective diffusion

Question 24

What does the placenta block?

Answer 24

• Toxins and pathogens getting into the foetus’s blood
• Not all toxin molecules or pathogenic organisms are stopped
• This is why pregnant women are advised not to smoke during pregnancy

Question 25

What is amniotic fluid?

Answer 25

• a fluid made from the mother’s blood plasma that
• held in by the amniotic membrane

Question 26

What does amniotic fluid do?

Answer 26

• protects the embryo during development by cushioning it from bumps to the mother’s abdomen

Question 27

Which hormones control secondary sexual characteristics for each sex?

Answer 27

• Oestrogen in females
• Testosterone in males

Question 28

What are the effects of oestrogen on women in terms of secondary sexual characteristics?

Answer 28

• Breasts develop
• Body hair grows
• Menstrual cycle begins
• Hips widen

Question 29

What are the effects of Testosterone on men in terms of secondary sexual characteristics?

Answer 29

• Muscles develop
• Voice breaks
• Testes and penis grow
• Testes produce sperm
• Facial and body hair grows