Reproductive System; Male Flashcards
Male and female reproductive system consist of
Gonads and Accessory Reproductive Organs
Gonads
(primary sex organs):testesin the male,ovariesin the female
Gonads Function
produce gametes (sex cells): sperm or oocytes 2) produce sex hormones
Accessory Reproductive Organs
include “ducts” that transport/store the gametes, glands that secrete substances for the gametes’ well-being, and the external genitalia
Accessory Reproductive Organs (2)
– the reproductive system is not fully functional until puberty
– at puberty, hypothalamus secretes hormones that tell Anterior Pituitary to release FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone), which act on ovaries and testes
– so you needFSH and LHto start gamete maturation and increased sex hormone production by the gonads
Testis Functions
1) to produce sperm
2) to produce androgens (male sex hormones)
* of the androgens, testosterone is the principal sex hormone
Testes External Anatomy
testes suspended in scrotum
Scrotum Function
to keep testes in a cooler external environment (3 degrees C cooler than internal body temp), to allow for normal sperm production
Spermatic Cord
runs from each testis into the abdomen
* contains blood vessels, nerves,and theductus (vans) deferens
Testis Internal Anatomy
– each testis divided into a series of internal compartments calledlobules
– each lobule contains up to 4seminiferous tubules (a tightly coiled structure, wheresperm are produced)
Testis - Within Seminiferous Tubules (1)
Spermatogonia: “stem cells” that help produce sperm
* these are the most immature male sex cells (This are on the outside of the tubule)
Testis - Within Seminiferous Tubules (2)
developing sperm (These are located more interiorly of the tubule, sperm develop from the outside edge toward the middle)
Testis - Within Seminiferous Tubules (3)
Sustentacular cells:these cells support, protect and nourish the developing sperm
Between Seminiferous Tubules
is someconnective tissue andinterstitial cells
*functionof these cells:produce and secrete androgens (specifically, testosterone)
Sperm Production
sex cells (gametes) created by MEIOSIS
* review your meiosis notes from exam 1 material!
* end result of meiosis: 4 cells produced, each w/23 chromosomes only!
First Step; Spermatogonia
- each contains 23 pairs of chromosomes (total: 46 chromosomes - diploid)
–divide by Mitosis and produceprimary spermatocytes
Second Step; Primary Spermatocytes
still 23 pairs of chromosomes (46 chromosomes - diploid)
* these cells divide by MEIOSIS * when they finish the 1st Meiotic Division, they form secondary spermatocytes
Third Step; Secondary Spermatocytes
contain 23 chromosomes only (haploid)
* they finish the 2nd Meiotic Division to produce spermatids (This is the end of Meiosis II)