Reproductive System Flashcards
organ system that functions to produce offspring
reproductive system
parts or organs that correspond in embryonic origin and structure but not necessarily in function
homologous structures
the gonads - testis of the male and ovary of the female
primary sex organs
sex or germ cell, males produce sperm and females produce ova (eggs)
gametes
play vital role in the development and function of the reproductive organs and in sexual behavior and drives - testosterone in males and estrogen/progesterone in females
sex hormones
the remaining reproductive structures - ducts, glands, and external genitalia
accessory reproductive organs
released from the hypothalamus, indirectly stimulates the testes or ovaries via its effect on FSH and LH release, reaches the anterior pituitary cells via the hypophyseal portal system
gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH)
where the production of sex hormones and gametes is
hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis
gonadotrophins released from the anterior pituitary, act on specific cells in the gonads where they stimulate gamete production and sex hormone secretion
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)
released from the gonads in both males and females
peptide hormone that exerts negative feedback, only on FSH release from the anterior pituitary
inhibin
the period of life when the reproductive organs grow to adult size and become functional
puberty
sister chromatids
homologous chromosomes
not identical to each other because one is paternal and the other is maternal
non-sister chromatids
the normal number of chromosomes in most body cells
consists of two sets of chromosomes
diploid chromosomal number
the number of chromosomes in a gamete
in humans, this number is 23
haploid chromosomal number
during meiosis I, homologous pairs of chromosomes separate from each other, reducing the number of chromosomes from 2n to n
reduction division of meiosis
each daughter cell gets an equal share of chromosomes
equational division of meiosis
pairing of homologous chromosomes during the first meiotic division
synapsis
small group of four chromatids
tetrads
the X-shaped structure formed at the point below the brain where the two optic nerves cross over each other
chiasmata
occurs in prophase I
allows the paired maternal and paternal chromosomes to exchange genetic material
crossing over
the sperm-producing male gonads
lie within the scrotum
testes
epididymis -> ductus deferens -> ejaculatory duct -> urethra
delivery of sperm
a sac of skin and superficial fascia that hangs outside the abdominopelvic cavity at the root of the penis
scrotum