Unit 5 - Final Review Flashcards
gonad
a gland that produces the gametes and sex hormones of an organism. (testes/ovaries)
scrotum
pouch of skin which testes descend into.
vas deferens
a tube that carries sperm from the testes to the urethra.
ejaculatory duct
propels movement of semen (sperm and fluids) into the urethra.
the urethra cannot…
conduct both urine and semen at the same time
erection
erectile tissue within the penis fills with blood.
parasympathetic
ejaculation
the expelling of semen.
sympathetic
seminiferous tubules
twisting tubes inside the testes. Responsible for spermatogenesis (formation of sperm cells).
epididymis
compact, coiled tube attached to the outer edge of the testes where sperm mature
interstitial cells
they lie in between the seminiferous tubules; produce testosterone.
sertoli cells
nourishes developing sperm cells until maturity; provides a barrier between blood and seminiferous tubules.
sperm cell
very streamlined, containing only a small amount of cytoplasm.
acrosome
caps the head of the sperm cell. It is filled with enzymes that dissolve the outer coating surrounding the egg, for the sperm cell to penetrate the egg.
seminal vesicles
releases fructose, which provides a source of energy for the sperm cell. Also releases prostaglandins, which act as a chemical signal in the female system, triggering the contraction of smooth muscle along the reproductive tract, assisting the movement of sperm cells towards the egg.
prostate gland
secretes an alkaline buffer that protects sperm cells from the acidic environment of the vagina.
cowpers gland
secrete mucus-rich fluids prior to ejaculation that protect sperm cells from acids in the urethra associated with the passage of urine. Also assists sperm movement.
inhibin
produced at the same time as sperm. for negative feedback.
myometrium
the outer muscular lining of the uterus; provides support for embryo
endometrium
the inner glandular lining of the uterus; provides nourishment for embryo
This lining is shed if pregnancy does not occur; and the start of menstruation.
fimbria
open wide ends of the oviduct
ectopic pregnancy
fertilized egg implants in fallopian tube.
cervix
a muscular band that separates the vagina from the uterus and holds the fetus in place.
progesterone
stimulates the endometrium and prepares the uterus for an embryo
Prevents further ovulation and uterine contractions.
Firms the cervix to prevent the expulsion of the fetus.
cleavage
zygote undergoes many divisions and becomes a morula.
morula
a solid ball of cells.
blastocyst
hollow ball
implantation
the blastocyst implants into the wall of the endometrium (10-14 days after ovulation)
HCG (human chorionic gonadotropic hormone):
maintains the corpus luteum for the first 3 months of pregnancy; prevents spontaneous abortion.
pregnancy tests test for…
hCG in the urine
yolk sac
forms by 2nd week of pregnancy below embryo. The site of early RBC formation; contributes to the primitive digestive tract.
placenta
formed by the combining of cells from embryo and endometrium. Materials are exchanged between the mother and the developing embryo.
at the 4th month, the placenta produces…
estrogen and progesterone
umbilical cord
forms near the 8th week, when the yolk sac shrinks
morphogenesis
development of an organisms
gastrulation
process by which 2 layered structure develops into a 3-layered gastrula
ectoderm (out), mesoderm (mid), endoderm (in)
parturition
birth
relaxin
hormone produced by placenta prior to labour; causes ligaments within pelvis to loosen
colostrum
fluid that resembles breast milk). Contains milk sugar and milk proteins, but lacks the milk fats found in breast milk.
