Reproductive system Flashcards

1
Q

How are gametes produced?

A

Via the process of meiosis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

List some of the advantages of sexual reproduction compared to asexual reproduction

A

Creates variations among individuals, thus increasing the chance of survival, which leads to species preservation
Unfavourable genes will be eventually removed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Disadvantages of sexual reproduction compared to asexual reproduction

A

Need male and female
Need effort to choose mates
May prevent favourable genes from being passed on to offspring
Produces fewer offspring than asexual reproduction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Define the term ‘gonad’

A

The organ where gametes are produced. They also produce hormones that control secondary sexual characteristics

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Name the gonad in males

A

Testis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Name the gonad in females

A

Ovary

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Define the term ‘germ cells’

A

Any cell in the series of the germ line that eventually become gametes
Often indicate the cells before meiosis during spermatogenesis and oogenesis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the germ cells in females?

A

Oogonia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the germ cells in males?

A

Spermatogonia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are primordial germ cells?

A

The origin of germ cells
Arises and stay in the posterior yolk sac
At 4-6 weeks in human, migrate into the gonad and then reside as germ cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

When do the semibiferous tubules mature?

A

They mature at puberty because of testosterone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What type of cell is the resident stem cell population of the seminiferous tubule of the testis?

A

Spermatogonium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are testes made of?

A

Seminiferous tubules, which is where meiosis occurs in males

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Define the term ‘spermiogenesis’

A

The differentiation step of spermatids to become a highly specialised spermatozoa

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Give the main stages of spermiogenesis (5)

A
  • Nucleus condense
  • Formation of the acrosome
  • Formation of the flagellum
  • Mitochondria gathered at the midpiece
  • Removal of excess cytoplasm
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the acrosome?

A

A secretory vesicle containing enzymes required for penetrating the oocyte

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the flagellum?

A

a tail-like structure homologous to cilia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Why do sperm need a lot of mitochondria?

A

For the moving flagellum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

When does spermiogenesis take place?

A

Spermiogenesis takes place when spermatids are still surrounded by Sertoli cells.

20
Q

Describe sertoli cells

A

Span from the basement membrane to the lumen, thus surrounding differentiating spermatogonia
Produce enzymes and growth factors required for spermatogenesis
Also function as a phagocyte to clean-up residual cytoplasm of sperm

21
Q

What are Leydig cells?

A

Leydig cells are interstitial cells that reside outside of seminiferous tubules. They secrete testosterone in response to LH

22
Q

What is spermiation?

A

The process of sperm being released in to the lumen from the sertoli cells

23
Q

What’s the epididymis?

A

A highly convoluted duct behind the testis, along which sperm passes to the vas deferens.

24
Q

Define the term ‘infertility’

A

An inability to conceive within 12 months

25
Q

List the causes of male infertility

A
  • Primary hypogonadism (Kleinfelter, cryptorchidism (absence of testes), chemotherapy, radiation, torsion etc) (30-40%)
  • Secondary hypogonadism (hypothalamic-pituitary disease) (2%)
  • Disordered sperm transport (10-20%)
  • Unknown (40-50%)
26
Q

Define ‘oogenesis’

A

The production or development of an ovum.

27
Q

What are the germ cells in females called when they enter the first phase of meiosis?

A

Primary oocytes

28
Q

One follicle=

A

One oocyte + surrounding follicular cells

29
Q

Why are polar bodies formed in female meiosis?

A

In the meiotic cell division, most of the cytoplasm is taken by one, so as not to waste cytoplasm

30
Q

What is the germ cell called when ovulation takes place?

A

A secondary oocyte

31
Q

Define the term ‘primordial follicle’

A

A primary oocyte with an enlarged cytoplasm, with a flat one-cell layer of follicular (granulosa) cells. The dormant status

32
Q

What are primary follicles?

A

Follicles chosen to re-commence growth. Follicular cells become cuboid and proliferate into multiple layers

33
Q

Define the term ‘zona pellucida’

A

A layer of glycoprotein, translucent.

34
Q

What are secondary follicles?

A

A follicle with antrum (a cavity) with fluid from granulosa cells

35
Q

What are preovulatory follicles?

A

Among several secondary follicles, one is chosen to mature for ovulation

36
Q

When is the first day of the menstrual cycle?

A

The first day of menstruation.

37
Q

What causes the endometrial lining to thicken?

A

After day 5, the follicle and thecal cells proliferate and secrete oestrogens. Oestrogens in turn cause the endometrial lining of the uterus to proliferate.

38
Q

What induces ovulation?

A

On about day 13 or 14, levels of FSH and LH suddenly rise very sharply, which induces ovulation and progresses meiosis

39
Q

What is ovulation?

A

The expulsion of the secondary oocyte from the follicle. It takes place about 38 hours after the LH surge

40
Q

What happens after ovulation?

A

After ovulation, the remaining follicle becomes a corpus luteum and secretes oestrogen and progesterone. This leads to the endometrium secretory phase, preparing for implantation

41
Q

What happens if implantation of a fertilised egg doesn’t take place?

A

If implantation doesn’t occurs, the corpus luteum degenerates after 14 days and becomes a scar-like structure called corpus albicans)

42
Q

When sperm reach the oocyte, what do they have to do in order to fertilise it?

A

When they encounter the oocyte, the sperm has to;

a) migrate through the layer of follicular cells (corona radiata)
b) penetrate the zona pellucia using enzyme in acrosome
c) fuse the plasma membrane to that of oocyte

43
Q

When does the second meiotic division of oocytes happen?

A

The second division of meiosis of oocyte completes when the sperm enters

44
Q

Describe implantation of the fertilised eg

A
  1. Blastocyst attaches to the endometrium at the embryonic pole
  2. Some trophoblast cells invade the endometrium, beginning to form a part of the placenta
  3. The inner cell mass becomes a flat sheet consisting of epiblasts and hypoblasts
  4. The amniotic cavity appears on the epiblast side
  5. human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), produced by the syncytiotrophoblast, enter the maternal blood
45
Q

What does human chorionic gonadotrophin do?

A

hCG maintains the hormonal activity of the corpus luteum in the ovary. The corpus luteum secretes estrogen and progesterone to maintain pregnancy.