Unit 3: Human Production (Female)

Question 1

Female anatomy (ovaries):

Answer 1

•female gonads.
•suspended by ligaments in abdominal cavity.
•produce 2 hormones:
-estrogen.
-progesterone.
•contain follicles.
-contains the eggs or ova (ovum), oocytes.
•release once a month (ovulation).

Question 2

Female anatomy (ovum):

Answer 2

-much larger than sperm (10,000 x bigger).
•more cytoplasm and nutrients.
•lots of mitochondria (for cell division energy).
•responsible for first few days of development.
-non-motile.
-fertile for about 24 hours.

Question 3

Female anatomy (oviducts):

Answer 3

-aka fallopian tubes.
•site of fertilization.
•not directly connected to ovaries.
•reviews oocyte from ovary.
•about 10cm long, takes 3-8 days for the egg to travel through the tubes.
•tubal ligation- birth control method where oviducts are cut.

Question 4

Tubal pregnancy (ectopic pregnancy):

Answer 4

-occurs when implantation occurs in the fallopian tube. Not enough nutrients present to support the embryo and the embryo may grow big enough to rupture the tube causing maternal and fetal death.

Question 5

Female anatomy (fimbriae):

Answer 5

•finger-like projections at the distal end of the fallopian tubes.
•at ovulation, the fimbria become filled with blood and they sway to help create a current to draw the egg into the fallopian tube.
•cilia and peristalsis move oocyte through oviduct.

Question 6

Uterus is composed of two layers:

Answer 6

1. myometrium.
2. endometrium.

Question 7

1. Myometrium:

Answer 7

-muscle layer.
-supports baby.
-moves baby into birth canal.

Question 8

2. Endometrium:

Answer 8

-blood vessel lining.
-provides nourishment for embryo.
-shed during period.
-site of implantation.

Question 9

Pregnancy:

Answer 9

-zygote = sperm enters egg.
-embryo implants in endometrium.

Question 10

If no pregnancy:

Answer 10

-endometrium shed.
-menstruation.
-ectopic pregnancy: embryo implants in oviduct.

Question 11

Cervix:

Answer 11

•neck of uterus.
•holds fetus in place during pregnancy.
•dilation of cervix:
-10cm.
-fetus into birth canal.

•pap test:
-sample of cervical cells.
-cervical cancer.

Question 12

Vagina:

Answer 12

•functions:
-sexual intercourse.
-birth canal.
•muscular tube, 8-10 cm long.
•acidic (pH 3-5).

•external genitalia:
-labia majora.
-labia minora.
-clitoris: erection during sexual arousal.

Question 13

Oogenesis: egg development (before birth):

Answer 13

•before birth:
-oogonia (“egg seed”):
•in ovaries.
•46 chromosomes.
•divide to form primary oocytes (46).
•within a follicle:
-oocyte + supporting cells.

Question 14

Oogenesis: egg development (puberty):

Answer 14

•300,000-400,000 follicles “waiting” in each ovary.
•1 follicle/month from 1 ovary (alternates) matures.
-meiosis—> 23 chromosomes in 1 egg.