Reproductive Systems

Question 1

what are the gonads?

Answer 1

ovaries and testis

Question 2

what are the cells in the gonads?

Answer 2

• somatic cells
• germ cells

Question 3

types of somatic cells

Answer 3

• sustaining cells: granulosa (XX) and sertoli (XY) - these support the egg/sperm cels
• endocrine cells: theca (XX) and leydig (XY) - these secrete the necessary hormones

Question 4

types of germ cells

Answer 4

• oogonia (XX) –> ova (x)
• spermatogonia (XY) –> sperm (X or Y)

Question 5

go over the charts on slide 73!!

Answer 5

so helpful so helpful

Question 6

what hormone activates enzymes for steroidogenesis?

Answer 6

• LH!
• these are the enzymes that convert pregnenalone to testosterone and estradiol, along with other forms of the sex hormones

Question 7

what does testosterone get converted to in the peripheral tissues?

Answer 7

• DHT: a more active form of testosterone
• this conversion uses the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase

Question 8

what else can testosterone get converted to?

Answer 8

• estradiol
• enzyme is aromatase, and aromatase gets activated by FSH
• aromatase also converts androstenedione to estrone, which is a weak estrogen. estrone can get converted to estradiol (see chart on slide 74)

Question 9

overall note on meiosis

Answer 9

• it is unique to germ cells
• the process differs chronologically between genders
• it is completed in sperm when they get released
• it is not completed in an egg when it is ovulated

Question 10

meiosis and fertilization

Answer 10

• when egg is fertilized, soluble factors from the sperm activate the oocyte to return to meiosis
• this initiates embryonic development