Sexual reproduction Flashcards
What are ovaries and testes called?
Gonads
What determines the sex in males?
The SRY gene found on the Y chromosome codes for the protein TDF. TDF binds to the DNA and stimulates the expression of other genes that cause testis development
What does testosterone do?
- the hormone testosterone is produced in the testes
- In the embryo it causes the development of male genitalia
- during puberty, it causes the development of male secondary sexual characteristics
- after puberty, it causes sperm production
Where are estrogen and progesterone produced?
In the ovaries
What does estrogen do?
- They cause development of female reproductive organs in the absence of testosterone
- causes development of female secondary sexual characteristics
Testis
Produces sperm and testosterone
Scrotum
Holds testes at lower than core body temperature
Epididymis
Stores sperm until ejaculation; promotes sperm maturation
Sperm duct
Transfers sperm during ejaculation
Seminal vesicle and prostate gland
Secrete an alkaline fluid that is added to sperm to make semen. The fluid contains many substances such as fructose to nourish the sperm
Urethra
Transfers semen during ejaculation
Penis
Penetrates the vagina for semen ejaculation near the cervix; has erectile tissue that becomes stiff when filled with blood to allow penetration
Ovary
produces eggs, estrogen and progesterone
Oviduct
collects eggs at ovulation, provides site for fertilisation, then moves the embryo to the uterus
Uterus
Site of embryo implantation, protects the fetus during pregnancy and provides it with food, oxygen and removal of waste products
Cervix
Protects the fetus during pregnancy, then dilates to provide a birth canal
Vagina
Stimulates penis to cause ejaculation and provides a birth canal
Vulva
Protects internal parts of the female reproductive system
Oogenesis
Production of female gametes in the ovaries
Spermatogenesis
Production of male gametes in the testes
Which steps do both oogenesis and spermatogenesis have?
- Mitosis to generate large number of diploid cells
- Cell growth so that cells have sufficient resources to undergo meiosis
- Two divisions of meiosis to produce haploid cells
- Differentiation so that the haploid cells develop into gametes with structures needed for fertilisation
Describe spermatogenesis
- occurs in the seminiferous tubules
- it starts at puberty and goes on throughout adult life
- millions of sperm are produced each day
Stages of spermatogenesis
- An outer layer of germinal epithelial cells called spermatogonia divide endlessly by mitosis to produce more diploid cells.
- The diploid cells grow into larger cells with more cytoplasm and divide by mitosis to form primary spermatocytes
- Each primary spermatocyte undergoes the first meiotic division to produce two secondary spermatocytes
- Each secondary spermatocyte undergoes the second meiotic division to produce two spermatids
- Spermatids are associated with Sertoli cells which nourish the spermatids and help them differentiate and develop into spermatozoa. The differentiation includes growth of a tail
- Sperm detach from Sertoli cells and enter the lumen of the seminiferous tubule.
What fills the gaps between the seminiferous tubules and what is its role?
Leydig cells which produce testosterone
Describe the structure of human sperm
- the human sperm consists of three parts: head, midpiece and tail
- at the head, there is a haploid nucleus
- There is also acrosome- containing hydrolytic enzymes that digest the zona pellucida around the egg
- At the neck, there is a centriole
- At the midpiece, there are helical mitochondria which produce ATP by aerobic respiration
- The tail provides the propulsion that allows
- Microtubules in a 9+2 array make the tail beat from side to side and generate the forces that propel the sperm
- Protein fibres around the microtubules strengthen the tail
Describe oogenesis
- Occurs in the ovaries
- starts during fetal development
- from puberty to menopause
- one egg every 28 days
Stages in oogenesis
- In the ovaries of a female fetus, germinal epithelium cells divide by mitosis to form more diploid cells
- Diploid cells grow into larger cells called primary ooyctes
- Primary oocytes start at the first division of meiosis but stop at prophase I. The primary oocyte and a single layer of follicle cells around it form a primary follicle
- Every menstrual cycle a few primary follicle are stimulated to develop by FSH. Usually one goes on to become a mature follicle, containing a secondary oocyte. The primary oocyte completes the first division of meiosis forming two haploid nuclei. The cytoplasm of the primary oocyte is divided unequally forming a large secondary oocyte and a small polar body
- The secondary oocyte starts the second division of meiosis but stops in prophase II. The follicle cells are proliferating and follicular fluid is forming
- When the mature follicle bursts, at ovulation the egg released is actually a secondary oocyte
- After ovulation, the follicle develops into the corpus luteum
- After fertilisation, the secondary oocyte completes the second meiotic division to form an ovum and a second polar body.