Reproductive System Unit Lesson 1: Male Reproductive Organs

Question 1

what are gametes

Answer 1

specialized cells containing chromosomes needed to produce offspring that share a combination of genes from both a mother and a father

Question 2

what are the gametes called in females

Answer 2

eggs

Question 3

what are the gametes called in males

Answer 3

sperm

Question 4

what is spermatozoa

Answer 4

mature sperm

Question 5

what are the three segments of spermatozoa

Answer 5

the head, the middle piece, and the tail

Question 6

what is the head there for in spermatozoa

Answer 6

to hold the nucleus which contains the father’s 23 chromosomes and an acrosome cap that contains digestive enzymes

Question 7

what is the use of the middle piece in spermatozoa

Answer 7

it contains mitochondria to supply the necessary energy(ATP) to create locomotion in the tail

Question 8

what is the tail in spermatozoa and what is its function

Answer 8

it is a flagellated structure that provides movement by rapid back-and-forth whipping

Question 9

what does the sperm do(or use) to enter the egg

Answer 9

the acrosome cap(of the sperm) dissolves the outer layer of the egg to allow the sperm entry and combine DNA with the egg

Question 10

why do the countless other sperm die if they don’t merge with an egg

Answer 10

they die because of the acidity of the vagina

Question 11

what is spermatogenesis

Answer 11

the production of sperm

Question 12

what are the testes(testicles)

Answer 12

two ovoid(egg-shaped) structures that produce sperm and ALSO male sex hormones

Question 13

what are gonads

Answer 13

sex-specific organs that produce gametes

Question 14

what is the scrotum

Answer 14

sac-like assemblages of tissue that holds the testes

Question 15

why are testes kept outside the body

Answer 15

the temperatures are lower– this is favourable for sperm production

Question 16

where does spermatogenesis SPECIFICALLY take place in each testis

Answer 16

lobules that contain tightly coiled seminiferous tubules

Question 17

what is spermatogonia

Answer 17

sperm cell precursors(a thing that existed before another thing. in this case, spermatogonia existed before sperm cells i think)

Question 18

what are the two cells in the testes worth noting

Answer 18

sertoli cells and interstitial cells

Question 19

what are sertoli cells responsible for and where are they found

Answer 19

they are cells responsible for supporting, nourishing and regulating spermatogenic cells and they are located in the seminiferous tubules

Question 20

what are interstitial cells responsible for and where are they located

Answer 20

they are cells responsible for secreting androgens and they are found between seminiferous tubules

Question 21

what will spermatogonia eventually become

Answer 21

they will eventually form four haploid(containing 23 chromosomes) sperm cells for each spermatogonium produced(spermatogonia are diploid to begin with)

Question 22

where are immature sperm stored and matured at

Answer 22

the epididymis

Question 23

what are the vas deferens and what is/are its function(s)

Answer 23

they are tubules used to temporarily store sperm and act as the passageway to the urethra

Question 24

where are the vas deferens connected to

Answer 24

the epididymis

Question 25

what is seminal fluid/semen and its function

Answer 25

a medium that helps carry and nourish sperm

Question 26

semen is a collection of substances. what are the 3 glands that add substances to the semen before it is ejaculated?

Answer 26

seminal vesicles, prostate gland, cowper’s gland

Question 27

what do the seminal vesicles add to semen

Answer 27

fructose as an energy source

Question 28

what does the prostate gland add to semen

Answer 28

bicarbonate solution(remember that the vagina is acidic)

Question 29

what does the cowper’s gland add to the semen

Answer 29

lubricating fluid

Question 30

what are prostaglandins

Answer 30

hormones that cause uterine contractions in the female(these are also a component in semen)

Question 31

what is the penis

Answer 31

the male organ of sexual reproduction

Question 32

what is the glans penis

Answer 32

it is where the penis terminates; a bell-shaped region

Question 33

what is foreskin

Answer 33

a layer of skin that covers the glans penis

Question 34

what is the refractory period

Answer 34

an amount of time before you could get another erection after ejaculation

Question 35

where does hormonal regulation occur

Answer 35

the pituitary gland and the testes

Question 36

where is the pituitary gland located

Answer 36

below the base of the hypothalamus

Question 37

what is the function of the hypothalamus

Answer 37

it regulates the pituitary, which in turn regulates the testes

Question 38

how is the pituitary motioned to release gonadotropic hormones

Answer 38

the hypothalamus secretes gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH) which stimulates the pituitary to release those hormones

Question 39

what are the gonadotropic hormones for males

Answer 39

follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH) and luteinizing hormone(LH)

Question 40

what do the follicle-stimulating hormones do

Answer 40

they promote sperm production in seminiferous tubules

Question 41

what does the hormone inhibin do

Answer 41

it inhibits further follicle-stimulating hormone synthesis

Question 42

what do luteinizing hormones do

Answer 42

they control the production of testosterone in interstitial cells

Question 43

what is testosterone and what is its function

Answer 43

it is the main androgen in males and is responsible for secondary sexual characteristics that occur in the onset of puberty