26. Reproductive system Flashcards
(31 cards)
What are somatic cells?
Diploid, non-reproductive cells like muscle, skin, or nerve cells.
What are germ cells?
Diploid cells of embryonic origin that give rise to gametes via meiosis (e.g., spermatogonium, oogonium).
What are gametes?
Haploid sex cells (e.g., egg and sperm).
What are the three types of internal development?
Viviparity: birth to live young; Oviparity: fertilized eggs laid and hatch later; Ovoviviparity: internally fertilized eggs hatch inside, young born live and nourished by yolk.
What are gonads?
Reproductive structures that produce gametes.
What are the male reproductive system components?
Testicles, seminiferous tubules, Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, penis.
What do Sertoli cells do?
Stimulated by FSH; surround and nurture developing sperm.
What do Leydig (interstitial) cells do?
Secrete testosterone and other androgens when stimulated by LH.
What does the epididymis do?
Site of final sperm maturation and storage.
What is the vas deferens?
Transfers sperm from epididymis to urethra.
What do seminal vesicles do?
Secrete fluid into vas deferens during ejaculation.
What is the function of the penis?
Transports semen into the vagina.
What are the female reproductive system components?
Ovary, oviduct (fallopian tube), uterus, cervix, vagina.
What does the ovary do?
Produces eggs (ova); females have two ovaries.
What does the oviduct do?
Moves eggs from ovary to uterus; site of fertilization; fimbriae sweep egg into tube.
What does the uterus do?
Muscular chamber where embryo develops; zygote attaches to uterine wall after fertilization.
What does the vagina do?
Muscular canal for birth; connected to uterus via cervix.
What is the sperm structure?
Head (acrosome, pro-nucleus), mid-piece (mitochondria), tail (flagellum).
What is the sperm pathway?
S: Seminiferous tubules → E: Epididymis → V: Vas deferens → E: Ejaculatory duct → U: Urethra → P: Penis.
Where does fertilization occur?
In the fallopian tube; zygote divides by cleavage while traveling to uterus.
What are the fetal development landmarks?
Week 5: Heartbeat; Week 8: Embryo becomes fetus; Week 40: Full term.
What is the process of spermatogenesis?
Starts at puberty in seminiferous tubules; spermatogonium undergoes mitosis & meiosis to form 4 sperm.
What is the process of oogenesis?
Oogonia become oocytes; meiosis stops at prophase I until puberty; follicle development continues during menstrual cycles.
What are the phases of the menstrual cycle?
Follicular: egg development & estrogen secretion; Ovulation: egg release with LH surge; Luteal: corpus luteum secretes estrogen & progesterone.
