Reproductive System Flashcards
What are female sex cells?
Oocytes (eggs)
What are male sex cells?
Sperm
What are a males primary sex organs?
Two testes
Where are the testes housed?
The scrotum
How do sperm cells form?
A process called spermatogenesis
What is spermatogenesis?
How sperm cells form
What are spermatogenic cells in a male called?
Spermatogenia
What are the male accessory organs?
Two epididymides, two ductus deferential, ejaculatory ducts, a urethra, as well as the two seminal vesicles, and the prostrate gland.
Describe epididymides
Tightly coiled, threadlike tubes about 6 meters long (18 feet)
How long are epididymides?
6 meters (18 feet)
What are the epididymides connected to?
Ducts within the testes
When do sperm cells Swim?
After ejaculation
What are seminal vesicles?
Saclike structures that attach to the ductus deferens and secrete a slightly alpine fluid that contains fructose that provides energy for the sperm.
What are saclike structures that attach to the ductus deferens and secrete a slightly alkaline fluid that contains fructose that provides energy for the sperm?
Seminal vesicles
What happens during sexual stimulation?
Nerve impulses from the spinal cord release NO which dilates the arteries leading to the penis.
What reduces blood flow away from the penis?
Increased pressure on the arteries compresses the veins of the penis.
What produces and erection?
Blood accumulates in erectile tissue and the penis swells producing an erection.
What fluid is released first during ejaculation?
Prostate fluid
What is the order in which fluid is released?
Prostate fluid, sperm cells, fluid from seminal vesicles.
What secretes hormones that control male reproductive functions?
The hypothalamus, anterior pituitary gland, and testes
What are male sex hormones called?
Androgens
What is the most important androgens?
Testosterone
What is the main cause of male infertility?
The testes not descending into the scrotum
What does the the testes not descending into the scrotum cause?
Higher temperatures of the body kills the sperm
What are a females primary sex organs?
The two ovaries
What do ovaries produce?
Female sex cells and sex hormones
How many oocytes are produced in the embryo before birth?
Several million
What is produced in the embryo before birth?
Oocytes
What do oocytes begin as?
Primordial follicles
What are primordial follicles?
What oocytes begin as
What is the process of egg cell formation?
Oogenesis
What is oogenesis?
The process of egg cell formation
At puberty what do some of the primordial follicles mature to form?
Primary follicles
Which oocyte can get fertilized?
The large one
What is the small oocyte?
A smaller polar body
How many primary follicles can begin maturing?
20
What is ovulation?
The process of the follicles maturing and giving rise to the secondary oocyte and first polar body during oogenesis.