Unit 3 Flashcards
What’s the function of the testes?
Organs that produce sperm cells
What’s the function of epididymis?
Location where sperm travel after they are produced and where the site of sperm development & maturity is
What’s the function of the vas deferens?
Site of vasectomy in which tubes lined with smooth muscle carry sperm out of the testes during ejaculation
What’s the function of the urethra?
A duct that carries semen or urine out of the body
What’s the function of the penis?
Male reproductive organ that deposits semen into the female vagina
What’s the function of the seminal vesicle?
This structure adds fructose & prostaglandins to semen. Fructose serves as an energy source for sperm cells and prostaglandins induce contractions within the female uterus to propel sperm up to the Fallopian tubes
What’s the function of the bulbourethral gland?
This structure secretes mucus to lubricate the urethra meaning the mucus cleans/clears out the urethra, producing an alkaline fluid so no leftover urine that’s acidic is there anymore. It also produces “pre-ejaculatory” fluid.
What’s the function of the prostate gland?
The structure adds an alkaline fluid to semen to protect sperm cells from the acidic environment of the female reproductive tract
What’s the function of the scrotum?
A sac of skin and muscle that holds the testes external to the body where the temperature is cooler for increased sperm survival
What’s the function of the bladder?
Stores urine
What’s the function of the ejaculatory duct?
A tube that is formed when the vas deferens and seminal vesicle meet. Its function is to combine sperm from the testes, alkaline fluid from the prostate, and other fluids from the seminal vesicle before semen is ejaculated
How does a vasectomy prevent pregnancy?
It prevents pregnancy by separating the vas deferens to prevent sperm from traveling through both vas deferent, stopping sperm release
What’s the function of the ovary?
Organs that produce and store eggs (oocytes). Females have two ovaries that alternate releasing a single egg once a month for one chance at fertilization.
What’s the function of the fimbriae?
Finger-like structure on the ends of the fallopian tube which move close to the ovary to catch the eggs that are released
What’s the function of the fallopian tube?
The structure that the egg is released into during ovulation. It is also the site of fertilization and tubal ligation.
What’s the function of the uterus?
Known as the womb, this is the site of pregnancy
What’s the function of the endometrium?
The blood-rich tissue that lines the inside of the uterus. When a female becomes pregnant, the embryo implants into the endometrium, which will thicken to increase blood supply to the embryo. When a female is not pregnant, the endometrium thins and is shed during her menstrual cycle.
What’s the function of the cervix?
Known as the neck of the uterus (connects vagina to uterus), this is the site that dilates during pregnancy
What’s the function of the vagina?
Known as the birth canal, this is the site of sperm deposit
What’s the function of the follicle?
A layer consisting of small cells; they surround, nourish, and protect a single egg.
What’s the function of the corpus luteum?
Structure that remains when the egg leaves the follicle during ovulation (empty follicle)
How does the tubal ligation prevent pregnancy?
Permanent form of birth control for women who do not want to have children. This procedure requires cutting and tying off the Fallopian tube. The Fallopian tube is the site of fertilization, so when it is disconnected, the egg and sperm cannot unite, and no pregnancy occurs.
Why might birth control be prescribed?
1) Prevent pregnancies
2) Regulate menstrual cycles (over-bleeding)
3) Reduce symptoms of medical condition
What event in the reproductive cycle is triggered when estrogen levels peak?
Ovulation
What event in the reproductive cycle is triggered when estrogen levels peak?
Ovulation
What event in the reproductive cycle is triggered when progesterone levels peak?
Endometrium is thickening
What’s the purpose of the menstrual cycle?
Make endometrium ready for pregnancy
Does the ovary or endometrium secrete estrogen and progesterone?
Ovary secrets both hormones (used in birth control)
Starting with week 1, what event is triggered in the uterus when estrogen and progesterone levels drop simultaneously?
The period is triggered by the drop in levels of estrogen and progesterone
When estrogen levels peak at the end of week 2, what event in the ovary is triggered starting week 3?
Estrogen peak triggers ovulation in week three.
When progesterone levels peak at the end of week 3, what event in the uterus is triggered starting week 4?
Progesterone peak triggers endometrium to reach maximal thickness.
What is fertilization?
Egg joins with the sperm (Egg and Sperm has 23 chromosomes—> creates 46 chromosomes together)
What is a zygote?
An egg that is fertilized
What is cleavage and what purpose does it serve?
Cleavage is rapid cell division of embryo—> more cells allows for human development
What’s blastocyst?
What an embryo is on Day 5—> contains embryonic stem cells whose purpose is to produce all 220 cell types
What is implantation?
When embryo buries itself /attaches to the endometrium
What is hCG and what secretes it?
Human Chronic Gonadotropin is a pregnancy hormone that comes from an embryo and is secreted near Day 7—> when embryo is in the uterus
What is the purpose of hCG?
Helps maintain the endometrium (thickness) to make sure menstruation doesn’t start and feeds the baby oxygen and nutrients in the first week they are formed
How can be test for the presence of hCG?
Through a urine sample or blood test.
What does the primitive streak help establish it the embryo?
Line that forms down the center of the embryo which establishes right and left symmetry (bi-laterally (both sides of body) symmetric)
What is chorion?
The outermost membrane around the embryo. It forms the placenta.
What is the Amnion?
Inner membrane around the embryo that produces and stores amniotic fluid.
What is the amniotic fluid?
A clear liquid that surrounds the fetus during pregnancy which contains nutrients, hormones, and antibodies.
What is the umbilical cord?
A tissue the runs between the fetus and the placenta that is attached to the uterus whose role is to bring oxygen and nutrients to the embryo from the placenta, while removing carbon dioxide and wastes products from the embryo
What is the endoderm?
Forms the digestive system and lungs
What is the mesoderm?
Forms the bones, cartilage, and muscle tissue
What is the ectoderm?
Forms the skin and nervous system
What is organogensis?
A process where all of the embryo’s organs start to form
What’s the importance of heart beats?
Heart beats circulate blood throughout the body.
Why are limp buds important?
Form the arms and legs of a fetus
What’s the SRY Gene activation?
Y chromosome contains an SRY gene (“Sex determining Region on Y”) that is activated at this time in male embryos.
In males, the Wolffian ducts develop into vas deferents.
In females, the Müllerian ducts develop into fallopian tubes.
What is ossification?
A process where an existing tissue in the body gets converted to bone tissue.
What is apoptosis of limb buds?
Process where the skin connecting the fingers and toes undergoes programed cell death, or apoptosis. The result is the formation of individual fingers and goes
What’s the importance of neuron generation?
Nervous system is firing electric signals so baby can move
What are the three stages of labor?
Thinning of the cervix
Uterine contractions
Afterbirth: placenta is pushed out after baby
What immune system cell does the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) target and infect? How does that affect the immune system overall?
HIV targets the line three defense line and attacks helper T cells. The main purpose is to target cytotoxic t cells and b cells
If an individual has HIV, what blood tests might a doctor order to monitor the person’s condition?
1) HIV Anitigen: Either antigen is present (positive for HIV) or not (negative for HIV)
2) HIV Antibody: Indicates whether you have some protection against HIV or not
3) CD4 cell count: Takes a blood sample to see how many you have within
4) Viral Load: How much concentration of virus you have in your body
What does the expression “functionally cured” mean?
Functionally cured of HIV: doesn’t take anti-viral medication nor are they contagious
What is the purpose of taking antiviral medications?
To suppress/prevent viral replication and allow the viral load to be “undetectable”
What is the relationship between HIV and AIDS?
Aids is the final outcome of HIV when left untreated or if drugs do not work
How is being HIV+ different from having AIDS?
Aids in diagnosed in people who are HIV+ and have one or more opportunistic infections (germs that are typically harmless but if immune compromised, will become a problem for you by exploiting the weak immune system)
What are examples of AIDS-defining illnesses, or AIDS-related opportunistic infections?
Meningitis, tuberculosis, candida infection, herpes infection, Kaposi’s sarcoma, chronic diarrhea, and pneumonia
How is HIV transmitted?
Through sharing needles, breastmilk, blood transfusion, vaginal fluid, semen, and mother-to-child in pregnancy
Can the HIV virus be passed on from an infected mother to her child? How can health professionals reduce the risk of transmission?
HIV pregnant female has a 15-45% chance of passing HIV to their baby. Taking proper treatment during pregnancy and breastfeeding will keep the baby free of HIV
