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Bio 12 (2nd half) > Urogenital System > Flashcards

Urogenital System Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the Urogenital System

A

consists of the urinary and reproductive organs

responsible for the filtration of the blood and reproduction

often grouped together due to their proximity and embryology (coming from same cell line during development)

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2
Q

Describe the responsibility of the urinary organs

A

they are responsible for removing liquid waste products from the body

(gaseous waste is removed by the lungs and solid waste is removed by the digestive system)

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3
Q

Describe Liquid Waste

A

often enters the blood from the Liver, which collects harmful substances like alcohol, heavy metals and nitrogenous waste

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4
Q

Describe Nitrogenous Waste

A

Nitrogenous waste primarily comes from the breakdown of excess proteins, nucleic acids, or denatured RBCs

Nitrogenous waste enters the liver in the form of Ammonia (NH3), which is converted into Urea (less harmful)

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5
Q

Describe Urea

A

Less harmful substance than Ammonia

consists of two ammonia molecules and one carbon dioxide molecule

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6
Q

Describe the Renal Arteries

A

waste products from the liver travel through the blood stream using the renal arteries to reach the kidneys

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7
Q

Describe the Kidneys

A

The Kidneys are the primary site of blood filtration in the body

the kidneys remove harmful substances from the body, as well as maintaining the pH and water homeostasis (tonicity)

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8
Q

What are the 5 main components of the kidney?

A

Glomerulus

Proximal Tube

Loop of Henle

Distal Tube

Collecting Duct

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9
Q

Describe the Nephron

A

one tubule from the glomerulus to the collection duct

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10
Q

Describe the Glomerulus

A

where the blood is filtered into the kidney

acts as a one-way valve, only letting in certain substances—> water, salt, glucose, urea, amino acids and hydrogen ions (acid)

all other substances remain in the renal arteries and continue into the circulatory system

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11
Q

Describe the Proximal Tubule

A

After going through the Glomerulus, the filtered substances continue into the Proximal Tubule

the Proximal Tubule specializes in the reabsorption of useful substances (glucose, amino acids and water)

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12
Q

Describe the Peritubular Capillary

A

The capillary that absorbed substances go, which returns blood to the renal arteries

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13
Q

Describe the Loop of Henle

A

specializes in water and salt reabsorption

by absorbing salt into the Peritubular Capillary, water follows through osmosis

this results in very concentrated urine within the Loop of Henle

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14
Q

Describe the Distal Tubule

A

uses active transport to remove any urea or hydrogen ions (acid) from the Peritubular Capillary, back into the Distal Tubule for Excretion

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15
Q

Describe the Collecting Duct

A

collects fluid from many nephrons and transports it out of the kidney as urine

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16
Q

Describe the Path of Urine After leaving the Kidney

A

The collecting duct collects the fluid from the kidney,

the two ureters transport the urine from the kidneys to the bladder, where the urine is stored until excretion

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17
Q

Describe the Urethra

A

secretes urine from the body

urethra is exits from the penis in males

urethra is exits through the vulva in females

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18
Q

Describe the Anti-Diuretic Hormone (ADH)

A

water balance is achieved using ADH

the use of ADH causes the collection duct to re-absorb water into the blood stream

ADH is released during periods of dehydration, resulting in urine that is concentrated and reduced in volume

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19
Q

Describe the Reproductive System

A

Responsible for growing offspring and producing gametes (sex cells)

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20
Q

Describe the Difference between the Male and Female Reproductive Systems

A

The Male reproductive system produces sperm

the Female reproductive system produces eggs and provides the environment for development embryos

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21
Q

Describe the development of embryos

A

All embryos begin their development as females, however male embryos begin to differentiate around the 3rd month due to the lack of a second chromosome

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22
Q

Describe the Testes

A

the primary site of male reproduction

produces sperm and sex hormones

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23
Q

Describe the Scrotum

A

a skin pouch that stores the testes and is responsible for maintaining homeostasis for sperm production

the testes require a constant temperature of 35°C in order to produce functioning sperm, which is a couple degrees colder than the rest of the body

The scrotum shrinks and expands, bringing the testes closer or farther away from the abdomen to maintain temp

24
Q

Describe the Vas Deferens

A

the tube the carries sperm from the testes to the urethra

25
Q

Where is Sperm Formed?

A

sperm is formed in the Seminiferous Tubules of the testes and stored in the Epididymus, a tube on the outside edge of the testes

26
Q

Describe Spermatogenisis

A

the process of creating new sperm

Spermatogenesis is triggered by the release of Testosterone

27
Q

Describe the Composition of Sperm

A

Sperm cells consists of a head, containing the acrosome, nucleus and sperm

and the tail, containing the flagellum and mitochondria

28
Q

Describe the Acrosome

A

the Acrosome store the enzymes for breaking through the protective coating of the egg

29
Q

Describe Seminal Fluid

A

a substance which helps the sperm reach the egg

30
Q

Describe Seminal Vesicles

A

glands along the Vas Deferens which release fructose and prostaglandins

31
Q

Describe the use of Fructose and Prostaglandins in Sperm

A

Fructose is the sugar used by the mitochondria of the sperm cells to power the flagella

Prostaglandins trigger contraction of muscles along the female reproductive tract, guiding the sperm towards the egg

32
Q

Describe the Prostate Gland

A

the Prostate Gland produces a buffer which protects the sperm from the acidic environment of the vagina

33
Q

Describe Semen

A

the combination of sperm and seminal fluid

34
Q

Describe Ejaculation

A

the exiting of semen from the reproductive system

Ejaculation occurs when the muscles of the reproductive system contract, squeezing sperm and seminal fluid out through the urethra

35
Q

Describe the Parasympathetic Nerve

A

during sexual arousal, the Parasympathetic Nerve causes arteries in the penis to dilate, allowing it to fill with blood

36
Q

Describe the Ovaries

A

produce and store eggs, as well as female sex hormones

the female equivalent of the testes

37
Q

Describe the Uterus

A

the Fallopian Tubes (oviduct) transports eggs to the Uterus,

the uterus is the organ responsible for nurturing fertilized eggs

38
Q

Describe the 2 layers of the Uterus

A

the top layer, the Endometrium provides nutrients for the embryo

the bottom layer, the Myometrium contains muscles for contraction during birth

39
Q

Describe the Vagina

A

the organ that connects the uterus to the environment,

40
Q

Describe the Cervix

A

the band of muscles separating the uterus from the vagina

it dilates during birth to allow the fetus to exit

41
Q

Describe the Vulva

A

the external organs surrounding the vaginal

42
Q

Describe the 4 parts of the Vulva

A

urethra - site of urine excretion

mons pubis - fat deposits for preventing tissue damage during intercourse

Labia Major and Minor - skin flaps protecting the vagina

Clitorus - stimulates arousal

43
Q

Describe Sexual Intercourse

A

the process of inserting a penis into a vagina

44
Q

Describe the Orgasm

A

the additional vaginal fluid and muscle contractions occurs at the point of intercourse where the female is most aroused following male ejaculation

the sperm travels through the female reproductive system with the assistance of vaginal fluids and muscle contractions

45
Q

Describe Fertilization

A

when sperm reaches the egg in the fallopian tube, fusing with the egg

results in a single cell, called a Zygote

when the zygote implanted in the endometrium of the uterus, it develops into a fetus

this period is called a pregnancy

46
Q

Describe Menstruation

A

if the egg is unfertilized when it reaches the endometrium, the egg dies and the endometrium sheds so that a fresh layer can be created for the next egg

this shedding process is called menstruation

47
Q

Describe the Menstrual Cycle

A

the cycle of shedding the endometrium

the cycle lasts an average of 28 days, however it can vary greatly in length between individuals and cycles

48
Q

Describe the Follicular Phase

A

Menstruation is followed by the Follicular Phase, in which cells in the ovary called Follicles are developed into eggs

only one follicle (cells in the ovary) can be developed at at time

during the follicular phase, the sex hormone Estrogen is released, signaling the restoration of the endometrium

49
Q

Describe Ovulation

A

the stage of the menstrual cycle where the egg is released into the fallopian tube

Ovulation usually occurs around day 14 of the menstrual cycle

50
Q

Describe Fertile Days

A

since fertilization must occur in the fallopian tube, ovulation and the days immediately before are commonly called fertile days

51
Q

Describe the Luteal Phase

A

the later half of the menstrual cycle

named after the corpus luteum, a group of cells which forms in the ovary

52
Q

Describe the Function of the Corpus Luteum

A

the corpus luteum blocks off the fallopian tube and secretes Progesterone, a hormone which prevents ovulation

if the egg remains unfertilized by the time it reaches the uterus, the corpus luteum degrades and the cycle repeats

53
Q

Describe Secondary Sex Characteristics

A

sex features not directly involved in reproduction

generally caused by sex hormones (testosterone in males, estrogen in females)

54
Q

Describe the Male Secondary Sex Characteristics

A

growth of facial/body/pubic hair

growth of larynx

oil production

55
Q

Describe the Female Secondary Sex Characteristics

A

increased fat deposits (butt, hips, thighs)

body/pubic hair growth

breast enlargement

Bio 12 (2nd half) (5 decks)

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