REPRODUCTIVE (PART 2) Flashcards
What are the two major layers of tissue in the ovary?
Outer cortex and inner medulla
What covers the outer cortex of the ovary?
Germinal epithelium
What tough connective tissue layer covers the ovarian cortex?
Tunica albuginea
What are the saclike structures within the ovary called?
Ovarian follicles
What is a mature ovum in its sac known as?
Graffian follicle
What structure forms after ovulation and releases hormones to support potential pregnancy?
Corpus luteum
How many ovarian follicles are available to a female, and how many are typically used over her lifespan?
Approximately 400,000 ovarian follicles available, but only about 400 are typically used over her lifespan
What process produces ova, the female sex cells?
Oogenesis
During which developmental period do oogonia undergo mitotic division to form primary oocytes.
Foetal period
What is the specialised cell division process required for oogenesis?
Meiosis
How many meiotic divisions occur during the developmental stages of oogenesis?
Two meiotic divisions
How many eggs (oocytes) does a female have within her ovaries when she is born?
About one to two million eggs
How many eggs typically remain by puberty?
About 300,000 eggs
What surrounds each egg within the ovary?
An ovarian follicle
What specialised cells nourish the egg within the ovarian follicle
Granulosa cells
How many follicles typically mature for their eggs to undergo meiosis and be released during a female’s fertile life?
About 400 to 500 follicles
What are the smaller daughter cells produced during meiosis in females?
Polar bodies
What role does the excess cytoplasm of the ovum play?
It provides nutrients for the development of the embryo and implantation in the uterus
What hormones regulate the cyclic changes of the ovarian cycle?
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH)
What signals the onset of puberty in females?
Increase in GnRH release from the hypothalamus and subsequent secretion of FSH and LH from the anterior pituitary gland
What hormones stimulate the ovarian production of oestrogens and progestins?
FSH and LH
What is the major oestrogen produced during puberty?
Oestradiol
What are the functions of oestrogen during puberty?
Development of secondary sex characteristics, breast growth, increased fatty deposition, growth and maturation of reproductive organs, enlargement of external genitalia, and increase in bone density
What are the main functions of progesterone during puberty?
Preparation of breasts for lactation and preparation of the uterine lining (endometrium) in the second half of the menstrual cycle