Reproduction

Question 1

what is the name for the earliest recognisable germ cell in females?

Answer 1

primordial germ cell

Question 2

true or false: primary oocytes are formed after the first mitotic division

Answer 2

false

the first meiotic division

Question 3

what is a polar body in oogenesis?

Answer 3

small haploid cell formed during meiotic divisions that is not able to be fertilised

Question 4

what does the presence of two polar bodies imply?

Answer 4

completion of 2nd meiotic division

entry of sperm into egg

Question 5

how long does the ovarian cycle normally last?

Answer 5

28 days

Question 6

what are the two phases of the menstrual cycle?

Answer 6

follicular phase

luteal phase

Question 7

what happens in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle?

Answer 7

maturation of ovum/preparation for ovulation

ovulation signals the end of the follicular phase

Question 8

what happens in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle?

Answer 8

post ovulatory phase involving development of the corpus luteum

preparation of reproductive tract for pregnancy if fertilisation occurs

Question 9

what is a primary follicle?

Answer 9

layer of granulosa cells surrounding a primary oocyte that is capable of producing an ovum

Question 10

what is a secondary follicle?

Answer 10

differentiated follicle due to oocyte growth, resulting in some follicles undergoing ovulation (signalling the end of the follicular phase)

Question 11

what happens to follicular cells left behind that are not part of ovulation?

Answer 11

undergo luteinization

Question 12

what happens in luteinisation?

Answer 12

transformation of follicular cells into the corpus luteum

Question 13

what hormone does the corpus luteum secrete?

Answer 13

progesterone

Question 14

what is the importance of oestrogen and progesterone to the reproductive tract?

Answer 14

prepare the uterine lining for implantation

Question 15

when is oestrogen secreted?

Answer 15

the follicular phase

Question 16

when is progesterone secreted?

Answer 16

the luteal phase

Question 17

how long does the corpus luteum grow for following ovulation?

Answer 17

8-9 days

Question 18

if fertilisation does not occur, how long will the corpus luteum survive?

Answer 18

no longer than 14 days

Question 19

true or false: the degeneration of the corpus luteum signals the start of the next follicular phase of menstruation

Answer 19

true

Question 20

which hormone does the hypothalamus secrete to act on the anterior pituitary in hormonal control of the ovaries?

Answer 20

GnRH

Question 21

which two hormones are secreted by the anterior pituitary in the female gonadal axis?

Answer 21

LH

FSH

Question 22

what does FSH do?

Answer 22

acts on the ovary to stimulate production of follicles and in turn stimulate oestradiol secretion

Question 23

what does LH do?

Answer 23

acts on the ovary to stimulate follicle maturation, ovulation and development of the corpus luteum

Question 24

what is the purpose of oestradiol?

Answer 24

thickens endometrium

thins cervical mucus

Question 25

true or false: oestrogen suppresses FSH production

Answer 25

true

Question 26

what are the three main clinical signs of detecting ovulation?

Answer 26

high progesterone at day 21
high LH spike
increase in temperature by 1 degree

Question 27

how does the corpus luteum know if fertilisation has taken place?

Answer 27

hCG production by the embryo at 12 days

if this doesn’t occur, the corpus luteum degenerates

Question 28

what is the corpus albicans?

Answer 28

the remnant/degenerated corpus luteum