Total Flashcards
What are the male’s primary sex organs? What occurs there? Where are they found?
Two testes
Sperm cells and male hormones form
In the scrotum
What is spermatogenesis?
The process in which sperm cells form
Where are spermatogenia (spermatogenic cells) found?
In the male embryo
When do primary spermatocytes reproduce? By what?
At puberty
By meiosis
What does the meiosis stage of spermatogenesis produce?
Four sperm cells with 23 chromosomes in each of their nuclei } from one primary spermatocyte
What are the male internal accessory organs?
Two epididymides, two ductus deferential, two ejaculatory ducts, a urethra, the prostate gland, and two seminal vesicles
What are the epididymides?
Tightly coiled, threadlike tubes about 6 meters long
Where are the epididymides found?
Connected to ducts within the testes
When are sperm cells nonmotile and when do they swim?
Immature sperm at the epididymides are nonmotile
Usually after ejaculation when they are mature
After they mature, sperm cells can:
Move independently and fertilize eggs, but usually do not swim until after ejaculation (bcs they’re resting)
What are seminal vesicles?
Saclike structures that attach to the ductus deferent and secrete a slightly alkaline fluid that contains fructose
What is special about the secretion of the seminal vesicles?
It is a slightly alkaline fluid which contains fructose and provides energy for the sperm
What does the prostate gland secrete?
A thin, milky fluid with an alkaline pH
What does prostate fluid help do? (2 things)
Neutralizes the fluid containing sperm cells, which is acidic
Helps neutralize the acidic excretions of the vagina
What is semen?
The fluid that the male urethra secretes during ejaculation
What does semen consist of?
Sperm cells from the testes and the fluids from the prostate gland and seminal vesicles
What do nerve impulses from the spinal cord release? When? What does this do?
During sexual stimulation, they release NO - nitric oxide
Dilated the arteries leading to the penis
As the spinal cord releases NO, what does this cause?
Increased pressure on the arteries to compress the veins of the penis, reducing the flow of blood away from the penis
How is an erection produced?
By blood accumulating in erectile tissue and causing the penis to swell because of pressure in the arteries, cutting off blood flow away from the penis
In sexual inter course / after an erection, what happens first fluid wise?
The fluid from the prostate is released first to lower the acidity of the female parts, then sperm cells, and finally fluid from the seminal vesicles
What organs secrete hormones to control male reproductive functions?
The hypothalamus, anterior pituitary gland, and testes
What are androgens? What is the most important androgen?
Male sex hormones
Testosterone
What is the main cause of male infertility?
If the testes do not descend into the scrotum, causing the higher temperatures of the body to kill the sperm
What are the female’s primary sex organs?
The two ovaries, which produce the female sex cells and sex hormones
