Reproductive system

Question 1

What is the biological sex of males and females?

Answer 1

Female: XX
Male: XY

Question 2

What are the sex gonads in males and female?

Answer 2

Female: Ovaries
Males: Testes and associated tubing

Question 3

When does puberty begin?

Answer 3

Stage 2 (8-11) years old

Question 4

What stimulates puberty in individuals?

Answer 4

Increased levels of FSH (follicle stimulating hormones) and LH (luteinizing hormone) - secreted from hypothalamo-pituitary gonadotropin axis

Question 5

How is spermatogenesis stimulated?

Answer 5

Begins at puberty - in the seminiferous tubules stimulated by FSH

Question 6

What are the major functions of the testes?

Answer 6

Exocrine - production of sperm
Endocrine - secretion of testosterone

Question 7

What are the major functions of the ovaries?

Answer 7

Exocrine - production of oocytes
Endocrine - secretion of estrogen and progesterone

Question 8

What is the major circulating form of inhibin in adult male?

Answer 8

Inhibin b - secreted by Sertoli cells

Question 9

Mention all of the parts of the male duct system

Answer 9

1. Epididymis - temporary storage for sperm- sperm mature
2. Ductus deferens - propel live sperm from epididymis to…
3. Ejaculatory duct - sperm empties here from ductus deferens
4. urethra - sperm ejects

Question 10

Where is testosterone synthesized from in the testes?

Answer 10

Interstitial cells of Lydig

Question 11

Explain process of ejaculation

Answer 11

Thick layers of smooth muscle create peristaltic-like waves that squeeze sperm out

Question 12

Explain and mention the accessory glands

Answer 12

Prostate - produces some seminal fluid that activates sperm (encircles upper part of urethra)
Bulbourethral gland - produces thick, clear mucous into penile urethra
Seminal vesicle - produces 60% of seminal fluid (joins ductus deferens and ejaculatory duct)
- Extra: seminal fluid and sperm enter urethra together

Question 13

What is the function of seminal fluid?

Answer 13

Give nutrients to sperm

Question 14

What are the external genitalia of the male?

Answer 14

Scrotum: skin sac that hangs in the abdominopelvic cavity
Penis: consists of 3 columns of erectile tissue for erection

Question 15

Explain the male reproductive functions

Answer 15

Spermatogenesis - sperm formed in seminiferous tubules
-> involves meiosis: halves chromosomal number in resulting spermatids -> daughter cell type B is primary spermatocyte for meiosis II -> separates in meiosis II
Spermatogonium: rapid mitotic division to build up stem cell line
Spermiogenesis: removal of excess cytoplasm on spermatids

Question 16

What steps are involved in testosterone production?

Answer 16

Seminiferous tubules stimulated by FSH -> interstitial cells activated by LH
1. Hypothalamus produces gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)
2. GnRH stimulates anterior pituitary to release gonadotropins (FSH;LH)
3. FSH stimulates spermatogenesis
4. LH stimulates interstitial cells = testosterone
5. Increase levels of testosterone exerts negative feedback control to hypothalamus and pituitary

Question 17

What stimulates follicles? Explain process

Answer 17

Stimulated by FSH -> during monthly cycle:
1. Primary follicle
2. Secondary follicle
3. Graafian follicle: ready to be ovulated - ruptures to release oocyte
Once ruptured: turn to corpus luteum which produces estrogen

Question 18

Mention parts of female duct system

Answer 18

Uterine (fallopian) tube: Receives ovulated oocyte and provides a site for fertilization
Uterus: Pear shaped muscular organ in which embryo implants
- endometrium: (mucosa) where implantation
- myometrium: smooth muscle/childbirth
- perimetrium: outermost serosa layer

Question 19

Explain female reproductive functions

Answer 19

Oogenesis: occurs in ovarian follicle
- activated by FSH and LH
- ovum formed if fertilized by sperm
Primary oocyte arrested in prophase I -> meiosis I of primary oocyte -> creates secondary oocyte -> (polar body) - day 14: ovulation ->meiosis II completed ovum and secondary polar body
Primary oocyte arrested in prophase I -> primary follicle -> growing follicle -> graafian follicle (LH release) -> ovulated secondary oocyte

Question 20

What produces hormones in female reproductive functions?

Answer 20

Follicle cells produce estrogen - in response to FSH
Corpus luteum produces progesterone - in response to LH

Question 21

Explain phases of menstrual cycle

Answer 21

Day 1-5 (luteal phase): Endometrial lining shed
Day 6-14 (proliferative phase): Estrogen level rise; growing follicle; endometrium base layer
Day 15-28 (secretory phase): Progesterone level increase; endometrial gland growth

Question 22

What does the sperm do when met with the egg?

Answer 22

Sperm releases acrosomal enzyme to break down oocyte plasma membrane

Question 23

Explain cleavage

Answer 23

Rapid series of mitotic division without interfering growth -> cells become smaller with each division

Question 24

What does the corpus luteum to continue hormone production?

Answer 24

Human chorionic gonadotropin prods corpus luteum (prevents period)

Question 25

When and where does the _____ implant?

Answer 25

The young embryo (blastocyst) implants on endometrium in uterus on day 14 after ovulation

Question 26

What does the placenta do?

Answer 26

Acts as an organ that provides respiratory, nutritive and excretory needs
Becomes endocrine muscle - estrogens and progesterone

Question 27

Name three important functions of progesterone

Answer 27

Causes secretory phase in menses
Prepares breasts for lactation
Quiet the uterine muscles for pregnancy
Maintain pregnancy

Question 28

The approximate area between the anus and the clitoris in the female is?

Answer 28

Perineum

Question 29

Human ova and sperm are similar in that?

Answer 29

They have the same number of chromosomes

Question 30

The outer layer of the blastocyst, which attaches to the uterine wall is the…

Answer 30

Trophoblast - forms large fluid-filled sphere

Question 31

During human embryonic development, organogenesis occurs…

Answer 31

During the first trimester