Unit 2.1 Gamete Production & Fertilisation Flashcards
Where does sperm production take place
The testes
What is testosterone
A male sex hormone
Where is testosterone produced
The testes
What is sperm formed from
Germline cells in Seminiferous Tubules
What are between the seminiferous tubules
Interstitial cells
What do interstitial cells produce
Testosterone
How does testosterone move through the body
By passing directly into the blood stream
What physical factor of the sperm does fertilisation depend on
The motility of the sperm
What does motile mean
The sperm are capable of moving
What does motility require
A fluid medium & a source of energy
What does the prostate gland do
Secretes a milky fluid containing enzymes which keep the fluid thin (optimum viscosity)
What do seminal vesicles do
Secretes an alkaline, viscous fluid containing fructose & prostaglandins
What is fructose
A respiratory substrate (sugar)
What does fructose do
Provides sperm with energy for movement of the sperm tail
What do prostaglandins do
Cause the female reproductive tract to contract, thus aiding sperm movement
What is semen
The collective name given to a fluid containing sperm from the testes, & fluid secretions from the seminal vesicles & prostate gland that maintain mobility & viability of the sperm
What do seminal vesicles provide
Energy for sperm motility
What are the 2 accessory glands
Prostate gland + Seminal vesicles
Another word for eggs
Ova- pural ovum- single
What are ova formed from + where
From germline cells in the female ovaries
What is the only time a woman can get pregnant
Ovulation
What is ovulation
When a mature ovum is released from the ovary, into the oviduct
What is fertilisation
The fusion of the nuclei of the 2 haploid gametes to produce a diploid zygote- that divides to form an embryo
Where does fertilisation take place
In the oviduct if sperm are present
What is each ovum surrounded by
A follicle
What is a follicle & what does it do
A structure that protects the ovum & secretes hormones
What is oestrogen
A female sex hormone
What hormone does the follicle secrete
Oestrogen
What does the follicle do after ovulation
It secretes progesterone, as well as oestrogen
What is progesterone
A female sex hormone
Why must the ovum be protected by a follicle
They are only produced once a month
