The Reproductive System

Question 1

The male reproductive system is responsible for the generation of male gametes, ___.

Answer 1

sperm

Question 2

Sperm are generated in the ____, which are housed in the ___, an external pouch that hangs below the penis.

Answer 2

testes; scrotum

Question 3

Sperm are produced in the ____ in the testes through the process of ____.

Answer 3

seminiferous tubules; spermatogenesis

Question 4

____, produced by the testes, is responsible for initiating and maintaining sperm production.

Answer 4

testosterone

Question 5

The sperm cells then travel to the ____, located just above the seminiferous tubules in the testes, where they gain motility and are stored until ejaculation.

Answer 5

epididymis

Question 6

The ____ carries the sperm from the epididymis to the ____ during ejaculation.

Answer 6

vas deferens; ejaculatory duct

Question 7

The ____ secrete a fructose-containing liquid to nourish the sperm, while the prostate gland secretes a slightly alkaline fluid that enables the sperm to better survive the acidic female reproductive tract.

Answer 7

seminal vesicles

Question 8

The pathway through which sperm travel during spermatogenesis through ejaculation can be remembered with the mnemonic SEVEN UP.

Answer 8

(S)seminiferous tubules –> (E)epididymis –> (V)vas deferens —> (E) ejaculatory duct —> (N)nothing (placeholder) —> (U)urethra —> (P)penis

Question 9

The pathway through which sperm travel during spermatogenesis through ejaculation can be remembered with the mnemonic SEVEN UP.

Answer 9

(S)seminiferous tubules –> (E)epididymis –> (V)vas deferens —> (E) ejaculatory duct —> (N)nothing (placeholder) —> (U)urethra —> (P)penis

Question 10

The female reproductive system is responsible for the production of female gametes, ____, and the incubation of the fetus during pregnancy.

Answer 10

ova

Question 11

The ova are produced in the ovaries through the process of ____?

Answer 11

oogenesis

Question 12

Unlike spermatogenesis, oogenesis is a discontinuous process.

Answer 12

Females are born with all the immature ova they will ever have. These immature ova are arrested at the beginning stages of meiotic division. During ovulation, 1 immature ovum completes the 1st division and is arrested in the 2nd division. Oogenesis is not completed until after the ovum is fertilized.

Question 13

During ovulation, the immature ovum is released and travels through the fallopian tube to the uterus. If sperm are present, they may fertilize the ovum during its passage through the fallopian tube. If the ovum is fertilized, it will implant in the uterine wall, which is lined with endometrium, leading to pregnancy.

Answer 13

The endometrium is tissue with many blood vessels that nourishes the developing embryo. It forms the placenta, the site of nutrient and waste exchange for the developing fetus. In the absence of pregnancy, the endometrium is shed during menstruation.

Question 14

The female menstrual cycle is approximately 28 days long, though this can vary among individuals. The cycle can be subdivided into 2 halves: the ____ phase and the ____ phase.

Answer 14

follicular; luteal

Question 15

In the ___ phase, the ovarian follicle matures.

Answer 15

follicular

Question 16

Following ovulation, the ___ phase begins, during which the ovum awaits fertilization.

Answer 16

luteal

Question 17

Following ovulation, the ___ phase begins, during which the ovum awaits fertilization.

Answer 17

luteal

Question 18

The cycle starts with menstruation, caused by a drop in hormone levels, which resets the cycle. During the follicular phase, the anterior pituitary releases follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

Answer 18

FSH acts on the ovaries to induce the release of estrogen.

Question 19

Estrogen leads to the maturation of 1 ovarian follicle and the thickening of the endometrium.

Answer 19

Early in the cycle, estrogen inhibits the release of more FSH to prevent the maturation of multiple follicles. However, later in the cycle, estrogen acts in a positive feedback loop to drive more FSH release, culminating in the release of luteinizing hormone (LH).

Question 20

LH induces ovulation, during which the ovarian follicle ruptures and releases the egg into a fallopian tube.

Answer 20

Following ovulation, the luteal phase begins. The ruptured follicle develops into the corpus luteum and secretes the hormone progesterone to maintain the uterine lining. In the absence of fertilization, the corpus luteum atrophies, causing progesterone levels to drop and triggering menstruation, again resetting the cycle.