Reproductive System

Question 1

What cells in the body can undergo meiosis? Somatic or germ cells?

Answer 1

Germ cells.

Question 2

What is a germ cell?

Answer 2

Any biological cell that gives rise to the gametes of an organism that reproduces sexually.

Question 3

Why are germ cells separated early from the rest of the cells during development?

Answer 3

So that they are not affected by signals to differentiate.

Question 4

What does the epiblast give rise to during gastrulation?

Answer 4

The three germs layers; mesoderm, ectoderm and endoderm.

Question 5

What is the difference between germ cells and germ layers?

Answer 5

Germ cells are the cells that give rise to gametes of a sexually reproducing organism. Germ layers are the three tissue layers formed during gastrulation.

Question 6

Which germ layer gives rise to the gonads?

Answer 6

The intermediate mesoderm.

Question 7

What tissues are derived from the intermediate mesoderm?

Answer 7

Tubule cells of the kidney and the urogenital system, including the gonads.

Question 8

Are germ cells and gonads derived from the three germ layers?

Answer 8

No, the gonads are derived from the intermediate mesoderm, while the germ are separated from the three germ layers early on.

Question 9

List the following structures in order of development: urogenital crest, kidneys and gonads, intermediate mesoderm.

Answer 9

Intermediate mesoderm, urogenital crest, kidneys and gonads.

Question 10

Do the germ cells have intrinsic gender properties before entering the gonads?

Answer 10

No

Question 11

What is the genital ridge a source of?

Answer 11

Male and female gonads

Question 12

What chromosome in the SRY gene located on?

Answer 12

The Y sex chromosome

Question 13

What sex chromosome combination is present in females?

Answer 13

XX

Question 14

What sex chromosome combination is present in males?

Answer 14

XY

Question 15

What does the Mullerian system drive?

Answer 15

Development of female characteristics, such as female anatomy and physiology and female behaviour.

Question 16

What is anti-Mullarian hormone?

Answer 16

A hormone that causes female characteristics to retract in males.

Question 17

What is the Wolffian system?

Answer 17

The male ductal system.

Question 18

What is caused by switching on the SRY gene in the gonads?

Answer 18

Production of the anti-Mullarian hormone and the DHT to cause production of testosterone in the testis.

Question 19

What is the meaning of “bipotential gonad”?

Answer 19

The gonads in the genital ridge have the potential to become male or female depending on the presence of the SRY gene.

Question 20

What happens to the Mullarian ducts in a female?

Answer 20

The become the fallopian tubes, uterus and vagina.

Question 21

What happens to the Wolffian ducts in the female?

Answer 21

They degenerate.

Question 22

What happens to the Wollfian ducts in the male?

Answer 22

They develop into the vas deferens, prostate and the seminal vesicles.

Question 23

What happens to the Mullarian ducts in the male system?

Answer 23

They degenerate due to AMH (anti-Mullarian hormone).

Question 24

How do the male and female gonads differ in terms of structural organisation during development?

Answer 24

The male gonads are highly organised, while the gonads in females are not.

Question 25

What does the genital tubercle become in males and in females?

Answer 25

Glans clitoris in the female and glans penis in the male.

Question 26

What does the urethral fold become in the males and female?

Answer 26

Labia minora in the female and fold around the urethra in the male.

Question 27

What does the labioscrotal swelling become in the male and in the female?

Answer 27

Labia majora in the female and scrotum in the male.

Question 28

What structures outline the perineum (diamond shaped area between the thighs)?

Answer 28

Anterior: pubic symphysis. Posterior: coccyx Laterally: ischial tuberosities.

Question 29

Why doesn't the ductus deferens lead sperm directly into the penis?

Answer 29

Because the testis developed in the abdomen before descending.

Question 30

List the structures sperm passes following its production?

Answer 30

Seminiferous tubules, rete testis, efferent ducts, epididymis, ductus deferens

Question 31

What is the function of the epididymus?

Answer 31

Sperm mature here (to become motile) and are stored here.

Question 32

What is the optimal testis temperature?

Answer 32

34 degrees.

Question 33

What is the function of the pampiniform plexus of testicular veins?

Answer 33

Temperature regulation

Question 34

What is the function of the cremaster muscle?

Answer 34

Raises the testes for protection.

Question 35

What is the function of the dartos muscle?

Answer 35

Temperature regulation.

Question 36

What are three major cell types in the testis?

Answer 36

Germ cells, sertoulli cells and leydig cells.

Question 37

What is semen?

Answer 37

Mix of seminal fluid and sperm.

Question 38

What is the function of fluid secreted by the seminal vesicles?

Answer 38

Secrete sperm energy sources and prostaglandins to dilate the cervix.

Question 39

What does the prostate gland secrete?

Answer 39

Citric acid (nourishment), seminal plasmin (antibiotic) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) to liquify semen.

Question 40

Why is PSA tested for to test for prostate cancer?

Answer 40

PSA should not be present in the blood, but if it is, the prostate structure is disrupted.

Question 41

What is the function of the bulbourethral (Cowper's) glands?

Answer 41

Secrete viscous mucin to protect the urethra and act as lubricant during sex.

Question 42

What is the function of the urethra?

Answer 42

Transport of semen outside.

Question 43

What are the tree primary erectile tissue bodies in the penis?

Answer 43

Corpus cavernosum, corpus spongiosum and prepuce.

Question 44

Where are the oocytes secreted from the fallopian tubes upon ovulation?

Answer 44

Peritoneal cavity then enter the fallopian tubes.

Question 45

Which organ in females secretes oestrogen?

Answer 45

Ovaries.

Question 46

What is the vulva?

Answer 46

Collective term for female external genitalia.

Question 47

Where is the mons pubis located?

Answer 47

anterior to the pubic symphysis.

Question 48

What is the vestibule in females?

Answer 48

Space for urethral opening and the vaginal orifice.

Question 49

What is the fundus?

Answer 49

Body of the uterus.

Question 50

What are the three layers of the uterus?

Answer 50

Perimetrium, myometrium, endometrium.

Question 51

Which layer of the uterus is shed during menstruation?

Answer 51

The endometrium.

Question 52

Which layer of the uterus is made of thick layers of smooth muscle?

Answer 52

Myometrium.

Question 53

What is an XY female?

Answer 53

Someone who is chromosomally male but has external characteristics of a male due to problems with the SRY gene or hormones.

Question 54

What is an XX male?

Answer 54

Chromosomally female with fragments of the Y chromosome.

Question 55

If testosterone is produced by receptors for it are defective, will male or female genitalia develop?

Answer 55

Female.

Question 56

What is Swyer syndrome?

Answer 56

XY chromosome (chromosomally male) with male phenotypes.

Question 57

Is someone with Swyer syndrome able to undergo gestation?

Answer 57

Only with donor eggs and hormonal support.

Question 58

Why do people with Swyer syndrome have their ovaries removed?

Answer 58

They are underdeveloped (streak ovaries) and increase the likelihood of cancer.

Question 59

What is androgen insensitivity syndrome?

Answer 59

Normal testosterone with defective androgen receptors. XY with female genotype. Have internal testes that may be cancerous.