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Biology Leaving Cert > The Human Reproductive System > Flashcards

The Human Reproductive System Flashcards

1
Q

puberty

A

the beginning of sexual maturity

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2
Q

primary sexual characteristics

A

features that are essential for reproduction, ie ovaries, testes

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3
Q

secondary sexual characteristics

A

physical features that distinguish males from females, not including the sex organs
males - deep voice, facial hair
females - enlargement of breasts, widening of pelvis

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4
Q

semen

A

fluid containing sperm and seminal fluid

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5
Q

gamete

A

sex cell

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6
Q

haploid

A

one of each type of chromosome in the nucleus

n=23

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7
Q

diploid

A

two of each type of chromosome in the nucleus

n=46

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8
Q

mitosis

A

a form of nuclear division in which one nucleus divides to form two nuclei, each containing identical sets of chromosomes

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9
Q

meiosis

A

a form of nuclear division in which the daughter nuclei contain half the chromosome number of the parent nucleus

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10
Q

ovulation

A

the release of an egg from an ovary

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11
Q

implantation

A

the embedding of the fertilised egg into the endometrium

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12
Q

the menstrual cycle

A

a monthly cycle that occurs in females if fertilisation has not taken place
its role is to produce eggs and prepare the uterus for pregnancy

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13
Q

menstruation

A

the shedding of the endometrium during days 1-5 of the menstrual cycle

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14
Q

hormones

A

chemical messengers, produced in specialised glands, and transported in the blood to a target organ where they have their effect
chemical nature: made of protein

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15
Q

feedback

A

production (or inhibition) of one hormone inhibits (or stimulates) the production of itself (or another hormone)

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16
Q

negative feedback

A

when a high level of a hormone in the blood inhibits the production of another hormone

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17
Q

menopause

A

when ovulation and menstruation stop happening in a female

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18
Q

fertilisation

A

the fusion of the egg and sperm nuclei to form a diploid zygote

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19
Q

fertile period

A

the time during the menstrual cycle when an egg may be fertilised

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20
Q

infertility

A

the inability to produce gametes or offspring

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21
Q

in-vitro fertilisation

A

removing the gametes (egg and sperm) and fertilising (fusing) them outside the body

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22
Q

copulation

A

the act of sexual reproduction

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23
Q

ejaculation

A

the release of semen into the vagina

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24
Q

birth control

A

methods employed to limit the number of children that are born

25
contraception
preventing the egg and sperm from meeting
26
morula
a solid ball of cells
27
blastocyst
fluid filled ball of cells
28
lactation
the secretion of milk from the mammary glands
29
breastfeeding
the feeding of a baby/infant directly from the breast
30
testes
produce sperm by meiosis (exocrine function) and testosterone (endocrine function)
31
scrotum
hold testes at 2°C lower than body temp. for optimum sperm production
32
epididymus
stores sperm and allow them to mature
33
sperm ducts (vas deferens)
carry sperm from the epididymus to the urethra
34
seminal vesicles/prostate gland/cowper's gland
add seminal fluid to the sperm to form semen
35
seminal fluid
contains fructose to nourish the sperm | medium for sperm to swim
36
urethra
transports semen through penis
37
testosterone
male hormone responsible for sperm production and development of secondary sexual characteristics
38
sperm lifecycle in the female reproductive system
up to seven days
39
sperm structure
head - acrosome (contains digestive enzymes required to enter the egg) middle - midpiece (contains mitochondria to provide energy) tail - flagellum (allows sperm to swim)
40
ovary
produces the egg by meiosis (exocrine) and the hormones oestrogen and progesterone (endocrine)
41
fallopian tube
site of fertilisation | transports the egg to the uterus
42
uterus
holds the developing embryo during pregnancy
43
endometrium
site of implantation enriched with blood vessels to nourish the embryo forms the placenta
44
cervix
closes during pregnancy
45
vagina
holds the penis during sexual intercourse | is the birth canal
46
egg lifecycle once released from ovary
2 days
47
male infertility disorder
what: low sperm count, producing low numbers of sperm cause: low hormone levels, genetically inherited, smoking treatment: hormone treatment, assisted reproductive technology
48
female infertility disorder
what: inability to produce eggs or ovulate due to endocrine gland failure (hormonal imbalance) cause: lack of hormones FSH and LH treatment: hormone supplements, in-vitro fertilisation
49
menstrual cycle disorder
fibroids what: benign tumours of the uterus cause: abnormal response to oestrogen, genetically inherited symptoms: pain, miscarriage, infertility treatment: surgery, hysterectomy
50
hormones involved in menstrual cycle
follicle stimulating hormone oestrogen luteinising hormone progesterone each hormone causes the production of the hormone following it and inhibits the hormone preceding it
51
day 1-5
menstruation:old lining of uterus breaks down new egg produced my meiosis hormone FSH increases
52
FSH
site of production: pituitary gland | function: causes maturation of the egg by stimulating the development of the Graafian follicle which surrounds the egg
53
day 6-13
Graafian follicle develops | hormone oestrogen increases
54
oestrogen
site of production: Graafian follicle in the ovary functions: causes endometrium to thicken and repair inhibits the production of FSH and stimulates the production of LH
55
day 14
Hormone LH increases ovulation occurs Graafian follicle develops into Corpus Luteum (yellow body)
56
day 14-28
hormone progesterone increases fertile period: days 12-16 egg dies if fertilisation does not occur, progesterone levels decrease
57
luteinising hormone
site of production: pituitary gland | function: stimulates ovulation
58
progesterone
site of production: Corpus Luteum functions: - maintains the endometrium during the latter part of the cycle (and during pregnancy) - inhibits Lh production (no ovulation occurs) inhibits FSH (negative feedback, no eggs develop)
59
days 22-28
hormones oestrogen and progesterone levels decrease as fertilisation has not occurred: causes endometrium to begin to break down stimulates FSH production

Biology Leaving Cert (34 decks)

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