The Reproductive System

Question 1

What is the primary function of the reproductive organs?

Answer 1

To produce sex cells and sex hormones

Question 2

What are the primary male sex organs?

Answer 2

The testis

Question 3

What makes up the structure of the testis?

Answer 3

Connective tissues and seminiferous tubules

Question 4

Which cells produce male sex hormones?

Answer 4

The interstitial cells of the testis

Question 5

What is the role of the seminiferous tubules?

Answer 5

The seminiferous tubules contain undifferentiated cells that give rise to sperm cells.

Question 6

What is the name of the specific cells which give rise to sperm cells?

Answer 6

Spermatogenic cells within the seminiferous tubicles

Question 7

What is the role of sustentacular cells within the testis?

Answer 7

They support and and nourish the spermatogenic cells.

Question 8

What 3 structural elements make up a male sperm cell?

Answer 8

A head, mid piece and tail

Question 9

What is the name of the enzyme at the head of the sperm cell which helps to break down the wall of the female egg cell?

Answer 9

Acrosome enzyme

Question 10

How many chromosomes are present in a male sperm cell?

Answer 10

23

Question 11

What is the role of the epididymides?

Answer 11

The epididymis store and nourish immature sperm cells

Question 12

What do the seminal vesicles secrete?

Answer 12

An alkaline fluid to help to regulate the pH of semen.

Question 13

What do the bulbourethral glands secrete?

Answer 13

A lubricating fluid in preparation for sexual intercourse

Question 14

What are the two structures which make up the male external reproductive organs?

Answer 14

The penis and scrotum

Question 15

What is the function of the scrotum?

Answer 15

To protects and regulates the temperature of the testis

Question 16

Which hormone is secreted by the hypothalamus to stimulate the anterior pituitary gland?

Answer 16

Gonadotropin realising hormone

Question 17

Which two gonadotropins are realised by the anterior pituitary gland?

Answer 17

Follicle stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone

Question 18

What is the role of follicle stimulating hormone in the male reproductive system?

Answer 18

It stimulates the process of spermatogenesis

Question 19

What is the role of luteinising hormone in the male reproductive system?

Answer 19

It stimulates interstitial cells to produce male sex hormones.

Question 20

What is the general name for male sex hormones?

Answer 20

Androgens

Question 21

Which is the most important male sex hormone?

Answer 21

Testosterone

Question 22

What are the two main functions of testosterone (specifically at puberty)?

Answer 22

It helps to develop the male reproductive organs and maintains secondary sex characteristics (e.g. Lowers voice, promotes growth of body hair).

Question 23

How does the body regulate male sex hormones?

Answer 23

A negative feedback approach is used.

Question 24

What are the primary female sex organs?

Answer 24

The ovaries

Question 25

What are the two subdivisions of each ovary?

Answer 25

The medulla and the cortex

Question 26

Describe the process of oogenesis.

Answer 26

Primary oocytes are stimulated to continue meiosis. When a primary oocyte undergoes meiosis, it produces a secondary oocyte with half the number of chromosomes (23). The secondary oocyte is the egg cell.

Question 27

What occurs during ovulation?

Answer 27

The secondary oocyte is realised from an ovary.

Question 28

Where does fertilisation of the egg occur?

Answer 28

Within the uterine tubes.

Question 29

What sort of cell lines the wall of the uterine tubes? What is their function?

Answer 29

Ciliated cells. These cells help to transport the secondary oocyte down the tube.

Question 30

What three layers make up the uterine wall?

Answer 30

The endometrium, myometrium and perimetrium.

Question 31

What are the two most important female sex hormones?

Answer 31

Oestrogen and progesterone.

Question 32

What is the role of oestrogen?

Answer 32

Oestrogen develop and maintain secondary sex characteristics.

Question 33

What is the role of progesterone?

Answer 33

Progesterone prepares the uterus for pregnancy.

Question 34

Where in the male reproductive system do the sperm mature?

Answer 34

In the epididymis.

Question 35

Which two hormones stimulate the production of sperm?

Answer 35

Follicle stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone.

Question 36

What are the two lateral columns of erectile tissue in the penis called?

Answer 36

The corpora cavernosa and the corpus spongiosum

Question 37

What is the muscular layer of the uterine wall called?

Answer 37

The myometrium

Question 38

What is the name of the vaulted area behind the cervix?

Answer 38

The vaginal fornix

Question 39

What are the three phases of the endometrial cycle? What occurs during each of these phases?

Answer 39

The menstrual phase, proliferative phase and secretory phase. Menstrual- surface of endometrium breaks down Proliferative- the egg develops and endometrium proliferates Secretory- endometrium thickens, blood supply increases

Question 40

What are the two phases of the ovarian cycle called?

Answer 40

Follicular phase and luteal phase.