topic 11.4 - sexual reproduction Flashcards
what to spermatogenesis and oogenesis both involve?
mitosis, cell growth, two divisions of meiosis and differentiation
define oogenesis
the production of egg cells in the ovaries
describe the pre-puberty stage of oogenesis
- starts in the ovaries of a female fetus
- germ cells in the fetal ovary divide by mitosis and the cells formed move to distribute themselves through the cortex of the ovary
- when the foetus is four or five months old, these cells grow and start to divide by meiosis
- by the seventh month, they are still in the first division of meiosis and a single layer of cells (follicle cells) has formed around them.
no further development takes place until after puberty
define a primary follicle
the cell that has started to divide by meiosis, together with the surrounding follicle cells
describe the post-puberty stage of oogenesis
no more primary follicles are produced, but at the start of each menstrual cycle a small batch are stimulated to develop by FSH. Usually only one goes on to become a mature follicle, containing a secondary oocyte.
difference between a mature ovarian follicle and a primary follicle
a mature ovarian follicle has many more follicle cells, outer and inner follicle cells and cavities, and the oocyte is more fully developed
define spermatogenesis
the production of sperm in the testes
describe the testes
composed of a mass of narrow tubes, called seminiferous tubules
describe the germinal epithelium
- outer layer of cells of seminiferous tubules.
- where process of sperm production begins
- contains cells in various stages of sperm production, with the most mature stages closest to the fluid-filled centre of the ST
Sertoli cells
large nurse cells in the wall of the tubule
spermatozoa
cells that have developed tails
draw a diagram and describe the stages of spermatogenesis
- an outer layer called germinal epithelium cells (2n) divide endlessly by mitosis to produce more diploid cells
- diploid cells grow larger and are then called primary spermatocytes (2n)
- each primary spermatocyte carries out the first division of meiosis to produce two secondary spermatocytes (n)
- each secondary spermatocyte carries out the second division of meiosis to produce two spermatids (n)
- spermatids become associated with nurse cells (Sertoli cells) which help the spermatids to develop into spermatozoa (cell differentiation)
- sperm detach from Sertoli cells and are eventually carried out of the testis by the fluid in the centre of the seminiferous tubule
draw a diagram and describe the stages of oogenesis
- The process begins during foetal development, when a large number of cells (oogonia) are formed by mitosis before undergoing a period of growth
- These cells begin meiosis but are arrested in prophase I until puberty
- At puberty, some follicles continue to develop each month is response to FSH secretion
- These follicles complete the first meiotic division to form two cells of unequal size
The cell with less cytoplasm is a polar body (which degenerates), while the larger cell forms a secondary oocyte - The secondary oocyte begins the second meiotic division but is arrested in prophase II (until fertilisation)
- It is released from the ovary (ruptured follicle develops into corpus luteum) and, if fertilisation occurs, will complete meiosis
- The second meiotic division will produce an ovum and a second polar body
draw and annotate an egg
- two centrioles
- haploid nucleus
- cytoplasm (or yolk) containing droplets of fat
- cortical granules
- layer of gel composed of glycoproteins (zona pellucida)
- layer of follicle cells (corona radiata)
- plasma membrane
- first polar cell
draw and annotate a sperm
- acrosome
- plasma membrane
- haploid nucleus
- centriole
- helical mitochondria
- mid-piece
- tail
- microtubules in a 9+2 arrangement
- protein fibres to strengthen the tail
differences between oogenesis and spermatogenesis:
Location
Number of gametes produced
Gametes per germ cell
Beginning of process
Timing of gamete formation
End of process
Timing of gamete release
Meiotic divisions
Germ line epithelium
Testis
Life long production (millions)
Four
Begins at puberty
Continuous (any time)
Fertility is life long but reduces
Any time
Uninterrupted
Involved in gamete production
Oogenesis
Ovary
Fixed amount (only - 400 mature)
One
Begins during fetal development
Once a month (menstrual cycle)
Fertility stops at menopause
Monthly cycle
Arrested
Not involved in gamete production
define polyspermy
when multiple sperm enter the egg
state the 3 mechanisms that occur after sex
- the acrosome reaction
- penetration of the egg membrane
- the cortical reaction
the acrosome reaction
when the sperm binds to the zona pellucid and the contents of the acrosome are related, the enzymes from it digest the zona pellucida.