Female Reproductive System

Question 1

What does the female reproductive system consist of

Answer 1

Pair of ovaries
Uterus
Fallopian tube
Vulva
Vagina

Question 2

Explain the function of each part of the system

Answer 2

Ovaries - release ova / eggs into Fallopian tubes; secrete oestrogen

Fallopian tube - carries eggs & leads from each ovary into uterus

Uterus - muscular structure in which foetus develops

Cervix - forms neck of uterus

Vagina - canal where sperm is deposited; acts as birth canal

Rectum - muscular structure of alimentary canal

Anus - opening of alimentary canal that allows faeces out

Vulva - external genitalia

Question 3

What do the ovaries contain

Answer 3

Primary follicles which have germinal epithelium which produces ova by meiosis
- Produce oestrogen and progesterone

Question 4

What happens at puberty to secondary sex characteristics

Answer 4

( Caused by oestrogen and progesterone )

• Breast devel
• Pubic hair
• Fat accumulation
• Enlarged pelvic girdle hence wider hips
• Onset of menstruation
• Hair growth under the arms

Question 5

What is the Fallopian tubes lined with

Answer 5

Cilia which assist in moving the ovum towards uterus

Question 6

What happens at the fallopian tubes

Answer 6

• Convey the ovum/zygote to the uterus by cilia and muscular contractions
• Are the site of fertilisation
• Are a pathway for the sperm to swim to the ovum

Question 7

Explain spermatogenesis

Answer 7

• Diploid germinal epithelial cells which line the seminiferous tubules in the tests undergoes mitosis to produce diploid spermatogonia
• These then undergo meiosis to form spermatozoa
• Cells of the sertoli support sperm cells while they develop

Question 8

Explain oogenesis

Answer 8

Diploid cells in the germinal epithelium of the ovaries form primary follicles.

Within a follicle, one diploid cell undergoes meiosis to form ONE ovum and 3 polar bodies contained within a Graafian Folicle

Question 9

What is gametogenesis

Answer 9

The process of gamete formation which commences at puberty

Controlled by sex hormones

Question 10

What makes up the menstrual cycle

Answer 10

The ovarian and uterine cycles

Question 11

Explain the uterine and ovarian cycle fully

Answer 11

Ovarian - all the processes that occur in the ovary

Uterine - all the processes that occur in the uterus

Question 12

Explain the menstrual cycle fully

Answer 12

1) Pituitary gland starts secreting FSH
- which stimulates a folic in the ovary to start developing

2) Developing follicle secretes oestrogen and as it enlarges it produces more oestrogen so the levels in the blood incr

3) Oestrogen causes a new endometrium to start developing in the uterus

4) Incr oestrogen levels inhibit FSH secretion by the pituitary gland ( neg. feedback)

5) High oestrogen levels cause pituitary to release high levels of LH ( Day 14)

6) High LH = ovulation

7) High LH cause development of corpus lute from the remains of Graafian follicle in ovary

8) CL secretes incr levels of progesterone causing further thickening of endometrium

9) Incr prog. levels inhibit FSH & LH secretion ( neg feedback)

10) I f fertilisation occurs, CL persists and continues to secrete prog. to maintain endometrium

11) No fertilisation = CL degenerates and so do prog levels

12)

Question 13

Explain the role of oestrogen fully

Answer 13

• Responsible for secondary sexual characteristics in females during puberty
• Repairs and builds endometrium
• High levels stimulate LH secretion
• Incr movement of cilia in Fallopian tubes too propel ovum towards uterus

Question 14

Explain the role of progesterone fully

Answer 14

• Promotes further thickening of endometrium
• Prepares endom. for implantation of blastula
• Maintains thickening of endometrium through the entire gestation period

Question 15

What is fertilisation

Answer 15

When the sperm nucleus fuses with the ovum nucleus to produce a diploid zygote

Question 16

Explain pregnancy and gestation fully

Answer 16

Pregnancy - all the changes that take place

Gestation - the period development of the foetus in the uterus

Question 17

Explain the chorion fully

Answer 17

• Outermost membrane which forms a large number of villi
  - most = degenerate leaving only those that are embedded in the uterine tissue
• Area where villi remain embedded is known as the placenta
• Villi create LSA for exchange of substances

Question 18

What is the function of the chorion

Answer 18

form the placenta

Question 19

Explain the amnion fully

Answer 19

• Surrounds the embryo except for the abdominal surface
• Forms a sac containing fluid which bathes the embryo and cushions it from bumps
  - supports foetus; holds urine and protects against temp change

Question 20

Explain the placenta structure fully

Answer 20

• Disc shaped organ, richly supplied with blood vessels
• Consists partly of maternal, partly foetal tissue
• Chorionic villi ( from foetal side) develop endometrium

Foetal and maternal blood do not mix - seperated by semi permeable membrane of chorionic villi

Question 21

Explain the placenta functions fully

Answer 21

Allows for :

• Diffusion of O2 and nutrients from maternal side to foetal capillaries
• Diffusion of CO2 and urea from foetal capillaries to maternal blood
• Passive immunity - maternal antibodies pass into foetal blood
• Acts as a micro filter-barrier preventing most pathogens and some drugs from passing to the foetus
• Serves as an endocrine organ - secreting progesterone to maintain pregnancy / prevent miscarriage