Unit 2: Physiology and Health - Key Area 1: Gamete Production and Fertilisation Flashcards
What is the function of the penis?
To insert the sperm into the vagina.
What is the function of the urethra?
Release sperm (and urine).
What is the function of the scrotum?
Holds the testes.
What is the function of the testes?
Produces sperm and testosterone.
What is the function of the prostate gland and the seminal vesicle?
Secrete fluids to maintain mobility and viability of sperm.
What is the function of the sperm duct?
Transports sperm from the testes to the urethra.
What are sperm?
The male gamete.
What cells are sperm produced from?
Germline cells
Where are sperm cells produced?
In the seminiferous tubules of the testes.
What is the term used that means sperm can swim?
Motile
What produces a liquid that allows the sperm to swim in and what is this liquid called?
The prostate gland and the seminal vesicle. The liquid is called seminal fluid.
What does seminal fluid and sperm produce
Semen
What does the seminal fluid provide the sperm with?
Fructose for energy and enzymes to keep the liquid at the correct viscosity.
What would happen if the seminal liquid was not the right viscosity?
The sperm would not be able to swim properly.
Along with sperm what do the testes also produce?
The male hormone called testosterone.
What type of cell division produces gametes?
Meiosis
What cells are testosterone produced in?
Interstitial cells.
Where are the seminiferous tubules in the testes on a diagram?
The squiggly lines.
Where are the interstitial cells in the testes on a diagram?
In between the squiggly lines.
What is the function of the vagina?
Where sperm is deposited during sexual intercourse.
What is the function of the cervix?
Muscular ring between vagina and uterus.
What is the function of the uterus?
Where the baby develops during pregnancy.
What is the function of the endometrium?
Wall of the uterus where the embryo implants.
What is the function of the oviduct?
Site of fertilisation.
What is the function of the ovary?
Produces and stores ova/eggs.
What are ova formed from?
Germline cells.
Where do ova form?
In the ovaries.
What do the ovaries contain?
Ova at various stages of development.
What is each ovum surrounded by and what does this do?
Each ovum is surrounded by a follicle which secretes hormones and protects the developing ova.
Following the process of ovulation where are mature ova released and what may occur?
Following the process of ovulation mature ova are released into the oviduct where fertilisation may occur if sexual intercourse has taken place.
What is a fertilised egg/ova known as?
A zygote.
What is fertilisation?
Fertilisation is the fusion of the nucleus from the sperm cell with the nucleus from the ova and it occurs in the oviduct.
What does the zygote do after fertilisation?
The zygote begins to proliferate into a ball of cells which implants into the endometrium for development.
What happens to the ova if fertilisation does not occur?
The unfertilised ova passes out the body.
What is the purpose of a follicle?
To secrete hormones and protect developing ova.
What happens at ovulation?
Ova are released into the oviduct.
Where does fertilisation occur?
In the oviduct.
What is the endometrium?
Wall of the uterus where the embryo implants.
