reproductive system

Question 1

what is the advantage of sexual reproduction for humans

Answer 1

it allows for genetic diversity and can help eliminate genetic mutations and create new defenses against diseases/parasites

Question 2

what is the disadvantage of sexual reproduction for humans

Answer 2

It is not as fast, less offspring are produced, and there is a need for a mate. It also requires more energy

Question 3

how do male and female reproductive system function similarly

Answer 3

they share the same basic tasks which include spermatogenesis and oogenesis, sexual intercourse (copulation), and fertilization
they both also are governed by the HPG axis

Question 4

what is the function of the scrotum and its two assisted muscles

Answer 4

the scrotum and assisted muscles (tunic vaginalis, albuginea) is used to surround and protect the testes
vag-outer
alb-inner

Question 5

what is the pathway of sperm from development (in seminiferous tubules), maturation (in the epididymis), and ejaculation (in the male duct system)

Answer 5

Seminiferous tubules → Rete testis → Efferent ductule → Epididymis → Vas deferens → Ejaculatory duct → Urethra.

Question 6

what are the basic function of sertoli cells

Answer 6

they are the blood barrier for the testes
they nourish sperm, control spermiation, and secrete ABP and inhibin

Question 7

what are the basic functions of leydig cells

Answer 7

their job is to secrete testosterone or “T”

Question 8

what is spermatogenesis

Answer 8

it is the process that produces sperm located within the testes

Question 9

what is spermiogenesis

Answer 9

it is the process where spermatids differentiate into mature spermatozoan

Question 10

what is spermiation

Answer 10

the process where mature spermatids are released from sertoli cells into the lumen of seminiferous tubules

Question 11

what are the steps of spermatogenesis, what is the location of each step and is a diploid or haploid cell present in the step

Answer 11

starts as spermatogonium (diploid), it will then divide into more spermatogonia through mitosis, differentiation will then occur creating primary spermatocytes (diploid), primary spermatocytes will undergo meiosis 1 forming secondary spermatocytes (haploid), secondary spermatocytes will undergo meiosis 2 creating spermatids (haploid), spermatids will then undergo spermiogenesis creating spermatozoa (haploid).

Question 12

what is the purpose and location of sperm maturation

Answer 12

sperm maturation occurs in the epididymides, sperm needs to be matured so that it can acquire motility (be able to move) and the ability to fertilize an egg

Question 13

what are the components of semen made from each male sex gland

Answer 13

seminal glands: fructose, prostaglandins, fibrinogen
prostate gland: citric acid, clotting & proteolytic enzymes, seminalplasmin
bulbourethral glands: alkaline mucus

Question 14

what are the functions of each component of semen

Answer 14

-fructose produces atp for sperm movement
-prostaglandins stimulate uterine contractions
-fibrinogen allows semen to clump after ejaculation
-citric acid is a nutrient for the atp sperm uses
-clotting enzymes activate fibrinogen so the sperm can clot and proteolytic enzymes break it down into liquid
-seminalplasmin is an antibiotic that kills bacteria in semen or female tract
-alkaline mucus lubricates tip of penis, urethral lining, and neutralizes acids in urethra

Question 15

what is the role of penile erectile tissues in the process of erection

Answer 15

the corpus cavernosa tissue fills with blood during an erection
the corpus spongiosum prevents the urethra from closing when the other tissue fills with blood

Question 16

how does the parasympathetic reflex that generates and maintains an erection work

Answer 16

-erection can occur through physical stimulants but also through erotic smells, sights, and sounds.
-this occurs when the arterioles dilate to fill with blood and veins will constrict letting very little blood to come out
-on a cellular level, nitric oxide will generate an erection and acetylcholine will maintain an erection by stimulating large amounts of nitric oxide

Question 17

how does the sympathetic and somatic reflex work in ejaculation

Answer 17

sympathetic reflexes: contractions occur in the wall of the duct system shooting sperm into the urethra, accessory glands add secretions to sperm, smooth muscle sphincter closes urinary bladder
somatic reflexes: bulbospongiosus muscles contract at base of penis and expel semen

Question 18

what is the importance of HPG hormones in spermatogenesis, the development of male reproductive structures, and the development of male secondary sex characteristics

Answer 18

androgens will develop sex characteristics and reproductive structures they will also stimulate spermatogenesis

Question 19

what are the homologous (similar) structures of the male and female reproductive systems

Answer 19

labia majora is the same as the scrotum
labia minora is the same as the shaft of penis
clitoris is the same as the glans penis
paraurethral glands is the same as the prostate gland
vestibular glands is the same as the bulbourethral gland

Question 20

what are the functions of each part of the vulva

Answer 20

clitoris: only used for pleasure
labia majora: encloses and protects all external genital organs
labia minora: protects the opening of the urethra and vagina
vestibule: contain glands that secrete mucus for lubrication

Question 21

what are the steps of oogenesis, what is the location of each step and is a diploid or haploid cell present in the step

Answer 21

starts as oogonium (diploid) which will then differentiate into primary oocytes (diploid) through mitosis, primary oocytes will undergo meiosis 1 creating secondary oocytes and a polar body (haploid), secondary oocytes will begin meiosis 2, if the secondary oocyte and polar body are ovulated then meiosis 2 will continue creating a mature egg cell (ovum) and a second polar body (haploid)

Question 22

what is oogenesis

Answer 22

the process in which a mature egg is produced. This is located within the ovaries.

Question 23

what is folliculogenesis

Answer 23

the process in which the ovarian follicle becomes matured. This is located within the cortex of the ovary.

Question 24

what is the relationship between fulliculogenesis and oogenesis

Answer 24

while oogenesis is happening the development of follicles is occurring around it
the oocyte is developing in the follicle

Question 25

what are the differences and similarities of oogenesis and spermatogenesis

Answer 25

similarities: spermatogenesis and oogenesis both occur in the gonads, are regulated by the HPG axis, and create haploid gametes.
differences:
1. oogenesis starts with 1 gamete spermatogenesis starts with 4.
2. Oogenesis begins in fetal life spermatogenesis beings after puberty.
3. Oogenesis has many stop and go points and ends after menopause spermatogenesis continues throughout life.
4. Oogenesis has a 20% error rate while spermatogenesis has a 4% error rate.

Question 26

what happens during the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle, when do these things happen

Answer 26

follicles become sensitive to FSH and are stimulated to grow
this happens between day 1 to 14
ovulation will occur after this

Question 27

what happens during the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle, when do these things happen

Answer 27

ovulation occurs before this
during this phase the corpus luteum secretes high levels of estradiol and progesterone
this happens between days 14-28

Question 28

what are the hormonal controls of the ovarian cycle

Answer 28

1. the hormone controls come from the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary
2. the folicular phase is driven by high levels of FSH to grow follicles
3. LH is also being produced during this time going to the thecal cells around the folicle which will produce T from granulosa cells to be converted to estradiol as a result there will be more estrogens
4. high estrogen levels will signal hypothalamus to tell it it doesnt need more
5. a high surge of LH will be secreted due to super high estrogen levels which will tigger ovulation

Question 29

what is the location for fertilization and implantation

Answer 29

fertilization occurs in a fallopian tube while the uterus is the site for implantation

Question 30

what is the composition and function of each uterine layer

Answer 30

perimetrium: protective layer outermost made of loose connective tissue
myometrium: expands and contracts is in middle and is made of smooth muscle
endometrium: lines the uterus is the innermost and is made of epithelium

Question 31

what major events take place in each phase of the uterine cycle

Answer 31

menstrual: corpus luteum is broken down and released out, hormones drop, additional things start to degrade and break down
proliferative: stratum functionalis grows, regenerates, and thickens
ovulation: mature egg goes to fallopian tube
secretory: lipids and glycogen are secreted for potential embryo
if egg is not fertilized everything gets destroyed to start again

Question 32

how do the events of the ovarian cycle work and drive the uterine cycle

Answer 32

the ovarian cycle will produce and release eggs and P and E while the uterine cycle will prep for a potential embryo

Question 33

what is the role of LH, FSH, progesterone and estrogen in the uterine cycle

Answer 33

LH and FSH promote ovulation and stimulate the ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone
E and P will stimulate the uterus to prepare for fertilization

Question 34

what is the importance of HPG hormones in oogenesis, fulliculogenesis, the development of female reproductive structures, and the development of female sex characteristics

Answer 34

LH, FSH, GRH and progesterone will stimulate oogenesis folliculogenesis and uterine cycle
estrogen is what develops female sex characteristics and structures

Question 35

what is the importance of SRY genes and androgens in the process of sex differentiation

Answer 35

SRY genes are what will form male development this will create testes and leydig cells will produce testosterone and sertoli cells that will produce a mullerian inhibiting hormone that will prevent female structures from developing

Question 36

what are the basic events that occur in prenatal males and females for their development

Answer 36

testosterone that is released by developing embryo is converted to dht
males: dht is what generates male genitals
females: estradiol is what generates female genitals
this will usually happen between weeks 6-9