Reproductive System Flashcards
Name the 6 parts of the female reproductive system
fallopian tubes ovaries uterus cervix vagina vulva
What’s the role of the ovaries?
produce mature ova (eggs)
secrete oestrogen and progesterone
What’s the role of the uterus?
produce thickened endometrium lining in preparation for a fertilised ovum (egg), and break it down and expell it during your period
What’s the role of the cervix
protect the vagina with a thick plug of mucus, which softens during ovulation, allowing sperm to travel into the uterus after sex
What is the role of the vagina?
provide lubrication during sexual intercourse
What is the vulva?
the external opening of the vagina
What is endometriosis?
where endometrial tissue grows in places other than the uterus, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. When the tissue that’s built up during the menstrual cycle breaks down, it has no outlet so causes pain and damage
What are the symptoms of Endometriosis?
pain in stomach
very bad period pain
pain during sex, when peeing or pooing during your peroid
feeling sick, constipated, diarrhoea or blood in pee
difficulty getting pregnant
What complications are related to Endometriosis?
fertility problems, due to damaged fallopian tubes or ovaries
adhesions and ovarian cysts
bladder and bowel problems
What is polycystic ovary syndrome?
ovaries become enlarged and contain follicles (underdeveloped fluid filled sacs - where the eggs usually develop), meaning they can’t release an egg
Name 2 disorders relating to the female reproductive system
Endometriosis
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
What are the symptoms of poycystic ovary syndrome?
irregular or no periods difficulty getting pregnant excessive hair growth on face, chest, back, bum weight gain oily skin or acne
Name the 7 parts of the male reproductive system
penis urethra scrotum testes vas deferens seminal vesicles prostate gland
What’s the role of the testes?
they are where sperm is produced
What is the role of the scrotum?
they hold your testes outside your body, so they can be slightly below body temperature
What is the role of the vas deferens?
they are tubes that conect the testes to the urethra so sperm can pass from the testes through the penis
What is the role of the seminal vesicles?
they pour semen into the vas deference to make the sperm mobile and give them nourishment
What is the role of the prostate gland?
it secretes fluid that nourishes and protects sperm and squeezes it into the urethra during ejaculation
What’s the role of the urethra?
it goes from the bladder, through the prostate to the penis, to expel urine and semen
What’s the role of the penis
It becomes engorged with blood when a man is sexually aroused, causing it to become stiff and erect so it can go into the vagina and deposit semen
Name 2 disorders relating to the male reproductive system
Hydrocele
Prostate Cancer
Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH)
What is hydrocele?
a soft, painless swelling in the scrotum due to fluid accumulation
What are the symptoms of hydrocele?
painless swelling in one or both testicles
What is prostate cancer?
cancerous cells that make the prostate larger, feel lumpy and irregular
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
increased need to pee, straining while peeing, blood in urine or semen
What is Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH)?
an enlarged ‘woody’ prostate gland that squeezes on the bladder, causing some uring to remain in the bladder, causing infection
What are the symptoms of BPH?
increased need to pee, straining while peeing, blood in urine or semen
Identify the 2 types of cell that are produced through Meiosis
Sperm and Ovum (egg)
Which type of reproduction occurs to create sex cells?
Meiosis
Describe the process of meiosis
a cell doubles its Chromosomes, the splits into 4 non-identical daughter cells, each with 23 chromosomes
In men and women, how many of the 4 non-identical daughter cells mature into sperm / ova?
men - all 4 cells become sperm
women - 1 out of 4 cells matures into an ovum
Once a sperm has fertilised an ovum (egg), what is the new cell called, and how many chromosomes does it have?
zygote
46 chromosomes
What form of reproduction does a zygote go through to become a developing embryo?
mitosis
Describe the process of mitosis
the cell doubles its chromosomes, then splits into 2 identical daughter cells which each contain 46 chromosomes
Describe what happens in the first trimester of pregnancy
the amniotic sac develops the placenta develops cells replicate and separate into tissues and organs Miscarriages are most common Women experience nasuea
In which trimester of pregnancy are miscarriages most common?
1st
In which trimester of pregnancy do the amniotic sac and placenta develop?
1st
Describe what happens in the second trimester of pregnancy
gender becomes apparent facial features develop organs, nerves and muscles are developed and functioning you can feel the foetus move you can hear the heartbeat bones are developing
In which trimester of pregnnancy can you tell the baby’s gender?
2nd
In which trimester of pregnnancy can you start to feel the foetus moving?
2nd
In which trimester of pregnnancy can you hear the foetal heartbeat?
2nd
In which trimester do facial features develop?
2nd
Describe the 3rd trimester of pregnancy
the skeleton is fully developed
most internatl systems are well developed
eyes open
organs mature
towards the end of the stage he baby’s head descends into the mothers’ pelvis ready for birth
In which trimester do the baby’s eyes open?
3rd
In which trimester are the skeleton and most internal systems fully developed?
3rd
What is the normal ‘vertex’ position a baby is born?
head-first through the vagina
What is a breech birth?
Where the baby is born legs/buttocks first through the vagina
What is a caesarean birth?
where the baby is delivered through surgical incision in the mothers abdomen and uterus (usually due to complications)
What happens in stage 1 of birth?
the amnion ruptures and amniotic fluid escapes (waters break)
uterine musclar contractions get stronger
the cervix gets progressively dilated and the mucus plug falls out
What happens in the 2nd stage of birth?
very strong contractions and abdominal muscle contractions force the foetus down the birth canal, out of the vagina
What happens in the 3rd stage of birth?
contractions begin again after a pause and the placenta is delivered
Identify 6 factors that can affect foetal development during pregnancy
genetics age diet health smoking alcohol consumption
Name 2 genetic disorders that can occur during pregnancy due to errors in DNA replicaiton
PKU
cysti fibrosis
sickle cell disease
Down’s Syndrome
What is a baby born to an older mother more likely to be at risk of?
errors with DNA replication such as Down’s Syndrome
What health issues a mother may have can affect the development of a foetus
diabetes heart disease endometriosis STD other infections such as Rubella, Zika Virus,
How can smoking whilst pregnant affect the development of a foetus?
more likely to have a stillbirth
infants can be smaller and have lower cognitive function
How can drinking alcohol whilst pregnant affect the development of the foetus?
Increased risk of foetal alcohol syndrome, that causes congenital defects such as a smaller foetus, cleft palate, heart defects, reduced intelligence
How can a poor diet in pregnancy affect the development of the foetus?
poor diets lack essential nutrients so the foetus can’t grow properly.
e.g. not enough folic acid can cause spina bifida
What is a teratogen?
a substance / agent that causes birth defects
Identify 5 teratogens that can cause birth defects
Viruses such as rubella, HIV Drugs Cigarette smoke Alcohol Radiation (e.g. from xrays) Chemical (e.g. mercury)
Name 2 congenitcal disorders
Spina bifida
Cerebral palsy
What is spina bifida?
a neural defect caused by a malformation of the spine and spinal cord, leaving some of the spinal cord exposed
Spina Bifida can cause hydrocephalus, what is this?
excess fluid in the skull
What is Cerebral Palsy?
a neurological condition (brain damage) that affects movement, balance and coordination
What is congenital rubella syndrome?
when a mother catches rubella whilst pregnant and passes it on to the foetus
What are the problems associated with congenital rubella syndrome?
baby can be born deaf, with visual problems, heart conditions, blood disorders, damage to the central nervous system, reduced cognitive function
Identify 2 tests for genetic disorders during pregnancy
Amniocentesis
Chorionic Villus Sampling
Describe Amniocentesis
a long, thin needle is inserte through your abdomen, guided by an ultrasound
This removes a small sample of amniotic fluid for analysis
Describe Chorionic Villus Sampling
a small tube or forceps are inserted through your cervix, and a sample of cells is taken from placenta for testing
When is amniocentesis usually carried out?
between 15th - 20th week of pregnancy
When is chorionic villus sampling usually carried out?
between 11th and 14th week of pregnancy
Which test for genetic disorders during pregnancy is more likely to lead to miscarriage?
Why?
Chorionic Villus Sampling
Because it’s performed earlier in the pregnancy
