Week 11 - Reproductive System

Question 1

What are the 4 functions of the reproductive system?

Answer 1

• Produce sperm / oocyte
• Produce sex hormones
• Delivery (male) and reception (female) of sperm
• House and nurture the developing foetus

Question 2

What are the 2 most important functions of the male that contribute to reproduction?

Answer 2

• Production of sperm

* Delivery of sperm

Question 3

What are the 3 most important functions of females that contribute to reproduction?

Answer 3

• Produce oocyte
• Receive sperm
• House the developing foetus

Question 4

Label the following structures on a diagram of the male reproductive system:
• Testis
• Scrotum
• Ductus deferens 
• Epididymis
• Ejaculatory duct
• Urethra
• Prostate glands
• Seminal vescile
• Bulbourethral gland
• Penis
• Bladder
• Bowel

Answer 4

N/A

Question 5

What happens to testes when it is cold?

Answer 5

The cremaster muscle contracts raising the testes so that they are closer to the body.

Question 6

Why is it important to regulate testicular temperature?

Answer 6

To ensure optimum temperature for spermatogenesis

Question 7

What are the three important cell types found in the testes? What are their respective functions?

Answer 7

• Germ cells - Developing sperm cells
• Sertoli cell - Protect and nourish the developing sperm cells
• Leydig (interstitial) cells - Produce male sex hormones

Question 8

Where is produced sperm stored?

Answer 8

Epididymis

Question 9

Describe the pathway that sperm takes when being ejaculated from the body

Answer 9

Testes > Epididymis > Vas deferens > Ejaculatory duct > Urethra

Question 10

List and describe the 3 accessory organs that are associated with semen as well as their % contribution.

Answer 10

• Seminal vesicle (70%) - Contains nutrients necessary for the sperm to survive
• Prostate glands (30%) - Alkaline fluid to neutralise the acidic environment of the vagina.
• Bulbourethral gland - pre-ejaculate to clean out urethra

Question 11

Why is the term urogenital system more applicable to males than females?

Answer 11

The male urethra carries both urine and semen, whereas the female urethra only carried urine.

Question 12

List the developing sperm in order

Answer 12

1) spermatagonia
2) spermatocytes
3) spermatids
4) spermatozoa

Question 13

What are the three layers of the uterine wall and their function?

Answer 13

1) Perimetrium - Outer serous layer
2) Myometrium - Middle layer that consists of smooth muscles
3) Endometrium - inner lining made of glandular cells that secrete fluids.

Question 14

What are the three important cell types present in the ovaries?

Answer 14

1) Developing oocytes
2) Granulosa cells - Protect and nourish oocyte
3) Theca cells - produce female sex hormones

Question 15

List the developing stages of the oocyte

Answer 15

1) oogonium
2) Primary oocyte
3) Secondary oocyte
4) ovum

Question 16

Draw a flow diagram for the hormonal regulation of the female reproductive system

Answer 16

N/A

Question 17

What cells secrete eostrogen during the follicular phase?

Answer 17

granulosa cells

Question 18

What protein contribute to the negative feedback of the female hormonal regulation mechanism?

Answer 18

Inhibin and oestrogen

Question 19

Why is the positive feedback mechanism important for female reproduction.

Answer 19

It allows for a brief production of LH and FSH which is necessary for ovulation to occur

Question 20

How does the female hormonal regulation switch from a negative to positive feedback mechanism?

Answer 20

Once oestrogen levels reach a critical blood concentration, a positive feedback mechanism is briefly exerted which results in the rapid secretion of LH which is responsible for allowing ovulation to occur.

Question 21

How do the female hormones, LH and FSH vary over the course of the female cycle

Answer 21

N/A

Question 22

Why must the female endometrium undergo changes?

Answer 22

To prepare for the arrival of a fertilized ovum which will embed itself into the endometrium of the uterine wall.

Question 23

What are the three phases of the menstrual cycle, and what occurs in each?

Answer 23

• Menstrual - Loos of blood and tissue as the endometrium sheds
• Proliferative - Endometrium regenerates (Oestrogen)
• Secretory - Endometrium becomes engorged with blood (progesterone)