Reproductive System Flashcards
Function of the reproductive system
To produce gametes (egg and sperm) which fuse together, ensuring the ongoing survival of the species through procreation
What is puberty and how is it triggered?
- Physical changes that allow a child’s body to mature into being capable of sexual reproduction (secondary sexual characteristics)
- Triggered by hormones
Primary vs secondary sexual characteristics
- Primary: physical traits present at birth e.g. vagina/penis/testes
- Secondary: features that develop during puberty e.g. deepening of voice, mature breasts, pubic hair
What is the female primary sex organ and what is its function?
Ovaries
- Produce eggs, secrete oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone
What is the male primary sex organ and what is its function?
Testes
- Produce sperm, secrete testosterone
Female secondary sexual characteristics
Mature breasts, broadened hips, pubic hair, smaller waist
Male secondary sexual characteristics
Pubic hair, facial hair, enlarged adam’s apple, broad shoulders, mature penis, more muscular body
5 functions of female reproductive system
- Produce ova
- Receive spermatozoon
- Provide a suitable environment for the conception and development of a foetus
- Facilitate childbirth
- Produce milk to nourish offspring
Structure and function of an egg
- S = large cytosol to provide nutrients for growth of embryo, increase chance of being found by sperm, sperm can burrow
- F = to be fertilised by a sperm and divide into an embryo
How is the female reproductive TRACT adapted as a barrier?
- Low pH of vaginal canal > hostile environment for bacteria
- Mucous membrane traps pathogens
- Microflora in vagina > outcompete
NB tract = internal not external (so can’t say pubic hair)
What is I and what is its structure and function?
Ovary
- S = inner medulla containing fibrous tissue/nerves/blood vessels and outer cortex containing a framework to hold ovarian follicles
- F = produce/secrete oestrogen and progesterone, develop and release ova
What is G and what is its structure and function?
Vagina
- S = tube between cervix and vulva, containing smooth muscle and ridges
- F = provide a passageway for menstrual flow, receive penis for sperm exchange, dilate during childbirth to allow a foetus to move through
What is C and what is its structure and function?
Uterus
- S = hollow, smooth muscular organ (perimetrium, myometrium, endometrium) with 3 parts (fundus, body, cervix)
- F = to shed lining in a monthly cycle (if not pregnant) and to provide nourishment and O2 to a foetus via the placenta (if pregnant)
What are F, E and D?
- F = perimetrium
- E = myometrium
- D = endometrium
What are H and B?
- H = cervix
- B = fundus
What is A and what is its structure and function?
Fallopian tube
- S = tubes that join ovaries to uterus, lined with fimbriae (J - ciliated cells to help push egg out)
- F = site of fertilisation, transport of unfertilised egg/zygote into uterus from ovary
Function of the mons pubis
Protect female pelvic bones, enhance sexual arousal
Function of the labia
Protect the vaginal opening, enhance sexual arousal
Structure and function of the clitoris
- S = erectile tissue with a large collection of nerve endings > highly sensitive
- F = sexual arousal
Structure and function of the perineum
- S = area of skin between vaginal opening and anus
- F = structural support, protect urinary/reproductive systems from bacterial transfer
Describe the hormonal control of the menstrual cycle
- FSH released from pituitary gland, stimulating ovaries to release immature ovum. it also releases oestrogen = thickening of uterine wall to prepare for receiving a fertilised egg
- LH released from pituitary gland, stimulating ovaries to release mature egg into fallopian tubes (ovulation). it also releases progesterone, maintaining uterine lining after ovulation in case of fertilisation
Stages of conception
Ovulation, ejaculation, fertilisation, implantation
What is ovulation?
Release of mature ova from ovaries into fallopian tubes, stimulated by the release of LH by the pituitary gland
What is fertilisation and where does it occur?
- Fusion of egg and sperm to form a zygote
- Occurs in the fallopian tubes
What is implantation?
Blastocyst (divided zygote) embeds into the lining of the uterine wall, forming placenta
3 functions of oestrogen
- Development of female secondary sexual characteristics
- Onset of menstrual cycle
- Initially prepares uterine lining to receive a fertilised ovum
4 functions of progesterone
- Final preparation of uterine wall to receive fertilised ovum
- Inhibit shedding of uterine wall
- Suppress further ovulation
- Stimulate milk production
What is the placenta?
Provides nourishment and waste removal for the foetus from the mother’s CV system
What is the function of the umbilical cord?
Join the foetus to the placenta
What is the amniotic sac?
Contains fluid which provides protection to the foetus
What is I and what is its structure and function?
Testis (plural testes)
- S = 2 glands suspended in the scrotum by spermatic cords
- F = produce sperm and testosterone
What is H and what is its structure and function?
Epididymis (plural epididymides)
- S = long coiled tube located on top of each testicle, connecting them to the vas deferens
- F = storage and maturation of sperm
What is A and what is its structure and function?
Vas deferens (plural vasa deferentia)
- S = fibromuscular tube connecting epididymis to urethra
- F = transport sperm from epididymis to urethra
What is C and what is its function?
Urethra
- To transport semen from the vas deferens to outside of the penis during ejaculation
What is D and what is its structure and function?
Penis
- S = root, shaft made of erectile tissue and smooth muscle, rich blood supply, head covered by foreskin if uncircumcised
- F = ejaculate sperm into vagina, to excrete urine
What is J and what is its structure and function?
Scrotum
- S = pouch of skin containing connective tissue and smooth muscle, contains testes and epididymis in 2 compartments, separated by septum
- F = maintain optimal environment for the production, maturation and storage of sperm (e.g. if cold the scrotum contracts to bring testes closer to body)
What is E and what is its structure and function?
Seminal vesicle
- S = coiled tube made of smooth muscle and connective tissue, located between the vas deferens and urethra
- F = produce and store fluid that makes up semen
What is G and what is its structure and function?
Prostate gland
- S = accessory gland between bladder and penis, urethra runs through the centre
- F = secrete prostate fluid to nourish and protect sperm
What are B and F?
- B = bladder
- F = ejaculatory duct
