Reproductive system Flashcards
Reproduction
Is a biological process through which a new generation of individuals is produced from a existing organism
Asexual reproduction
Asexual reproduction is a mechanism through which new individuals are generated from a single parent without the fusion of egg and sperm.
Sexual reproduction
Sexual reproduction is a mechanism through which a new individual is developed from a diploid zygote as a result of the fusion of two haploid gametes (the sperm and the egg) which are produced by two individuals
Asexual reproduction methods
Budding
Fragmentation and regeneration
Parthenogenesis
Budding
Asexual reproduction in which new individuals arise from outgrowths of the animal
-Hydra
Fragmentation and regeneration
Breaking of the body or part of the body into several pieces followed by the growth of a separate individual from each piece
Some annelid worms, numerous sponges, cnidarians and flatworms
Parthenogenesis
Unusual form of asexual reproduction in which an egg develops into a complete individual without being fertilized. -bees, ants, wasps and aphids
Progeny can be diploid or haploid
In bees males (drones) are haploid organisms developed through parthenogenesis. Females are sterile (workers) or fertile (queen) diploid organisms.
Can be seen very rarely in vertebrates like lizards and fish.
Gametes
Gametes (sperms and eggs) are the vehicles that transmit genes from 1 generation to the next
Fertilisation
Is the union of the egg and the sperm (gametes) culminating in fusion of their nuclei.
External fertilisation (facts required and organism)
A moist habitat is always required to prevent the gametes from drying out and to allow the sperm to swim towards the egg.
Many invertebrates, amphibians, most bony fish
Bisexual organisms
Hermaphrodite
1 individual has both female and male reproductive structures and therefor is able to produce both female and male gametes.
Dioecious organisms
Unisexual organisms
Advantages and disadvantages of asexual reproduction
Rapid multiplication of individuals
No time or energy is needed to be spend in searching mates for reproduction.
Very little genetic variations within a population
External reproductive organ of a male
Scrotum and penis
Testes
Found within the scrotum
Should be maintained 2•C below the core body temperature.
Develop in the abdominal cavity and descend into the scrotum just before birth.
Each testis contains lobules comprising of seminiferous tubules.
Sertoli cells secrete inhibin
Leydig cells (interstitial) secrete testeteron
Epididymis
6m in length
Takes about 3 weeks for sperm to travel the length of this duct
During this time sperms become mature and motile
Matured sperms are stored here until ejaculation
Spermatogenesis
Occurs within seminiferous tubules of the testes
Time taken to produce mature sperm cells from a specific spermatogonia is about 7 weeks
Formation and development of sperms is continuous and inexhaustible
Starts at puberty and occurs throughout life
Main steps in spermatogenesis
Primordial germ cell in embryo(2n) —> Spermatogonial stem cell(2n) —> Spermatogonium(2n) —> Primary spermatocyte(2n) —> 2 Secondary spermatocytes(n) —> 4 spermatids(n) —> 4 spermatozoa(n)
Structure of a sperm
Head contains haploid nucleus carrying parental genetic material.
A special vesicle called the acrosome contains hydrolytic enzymes such as trypsin and hyaluronidase that helps the sperm to penetrate the outer layers of the ovum.
Mid-piece contains mitochondria
Tail contains a long flagellum with 9+2 arrangement of microtubules
Life expectancy of a sperm
48 - 72 hours after ejaculation in the female reproductive tract
Semen and sperm count in an normal ejaculate
2-5 mL of semen and sperm count of 40-100 million/mL
Sperms comprises less than 10% of the final ejaculate
Accessory glands associated with male reproductive system
Seminal vesicles, prostate gland and bulbourethtal gland
Seminal vesicles
They are a pair of two small pouches that produce a thick, yellowish fluid that is expelled during ejaculation. Seminal fluid is alkaline to protect the sperm in the acidic environment of the vagina. It contains mucus, fructose (that provides most of the sperm’s energy), a coagulating enzyme (helps semen coagulates after ejaculation), ascorbic acid and local regulators called prostaglandins.
This fluid contributes to about 60% of the volume of semen.
Prostate gland
Found below the urinary bladder. It secretes a thin, milky fluid directly into the urethra through small ducts. This milky secretion contains coagulants, anticoagulant enzymes and citrate which is a sperm nutrient.
This fluid contributes to about 30% of the volume of semen.
Bulbourethral glands
pair of small glands found along the urethra below the prostate. These glands secrete a clear alkaline mucus that is able to neutralize any acidic urine remaining in the urethra and lubricates the lining of the urethra.
FSH and LH hormones direct spermatogenesis by acting on
· FSH stimulates Sertoli cells to nourish the developing sperm.
· LH causes Leydig cells to produce testosterone and other androgens to promote
spermatogenesis.