the reproductive system Flashcards
which two extremes are there of the reproductive system?
male and female
define gonads
primary sex organs responsible for producing gametes (sex cells) and secreting sex hormones
what are accessory reproductive organs?
structures used to transport and nourish gametes before fertilization
where are sperm formed? produced? (it is NOT the same answer!)
- formed in the testes
- produced in the seminiferous tubules
define seminiferous tubules
highly coiled structures within the testes where sperm production (spermatogenesis) occurs
where does sperm go after it’s produced?
to the rete testes then the epididymis
define epididymis
a highly coiled tube approx 6ft long
how long does it take for sperm to mature/travel through the epididymis?
20 days
where does sperm end up after travelling through the epididymis?
ductus deferens (vas deferens)
explain what happens when a man is sexually stimulated (what is the process of sperm getting ejected?)
- stored in ampulla of ductus deferens
- expelled into ejaculatory duct when sexually stimulated
- exits through urethra
name the 3 semen-producing accessory glands that sperm pass by on their journey to exit the penis
- seminal vesicles
- prostate gland
- bulbourethral glands
what is the function of the seminal vesicles?
nutrition, mobility (through muscular contractions) and clotting of ejaculate
what is the function of the prostate gland?
thins semen for easier sperm movement + adds citric acid for energy
what is the function of the bulbourethral glands?
produces alkaline fluids to neutralize urethra and lubricate the penis
fill in the blanks: the male reproductive system produces _____, which are transported from the _____ through the ________ and ductus _______ before being ejaculated through the _______. Sperm are joined by secretions from 3 accessory _______ that add fluid to produce _____.
sperm, testes, epididymis, (ductus) deferens, urethra, glands, semen
name the 2 major external structures of the male reproductive system and define them
- scrotum: flap of skin between the legs that contains the testes
- penis: the structure that delivers sperm into the female reproductive tract
name the function of the scrotum
maintains ideal temperature for sperm survival (2-3°C lower than normal body temperature).
name the function of the penis
delivers sperm into the female reproductive tract.
name the parts of the penis (3 parts)
- shaft
- glans penis (tip)
- erectile tissue
what do the cremaster muscles do?
they control how near the testes are to the body depending on external temperatures
define spermatogenesis
the process of sperm production
explain how sperm are formed (3 steps)
- spermatogonia (diploid stem cells) divide through meiosis to create 4 spermatids w/ 23 chromosomes
- during spermiogenesis, spermatids take the shape of mature sperm
- move closer to the lumen of the seminiferous tubule as they develop, where they will eventually be released
name the 3 main sections of a sperm cell and their functions
- head: contains the nucleus and an acrosome (contains enzymes to break into the egg during fertilization)
- mid-piece: contains mitochondria to provide the sperm energy to swim with
- tail/flagellum: used to generate movement
what is another name for the external female genitalia? what does it include?
the vulva.
includes the mons pubis, labia majora and labia minora
define mons pubis
fatty area covered with pubic hair; expands and offers protection during childbirth.
define labia majora + labia minora
skin folds which protect the vestibules
which structures does the vestibule contain? (4)
- clitoris
- urethral opening
- vaginal opening
- vestibular glands