gonads Flashcards
what are the gonads in females/males ?
reproductive organs
male - testes
female - ovaries
what do the gonads do ?
secrete sex hormones
produce gametes (sex cells)
what hormones do the ovaries secrete ?
oestrogen
progesterone
what are the functions of oestrogen on its own ?
- rapid increase in rate of physical growth during puberty
- appearance is secondary sex characteristics of females at puberty
- maturation of the reproductive organs + keeping them in a functional state
what is the function of progesterone with oestrogen ?
- promotes cyclic changes in endometrium during menstral cycle
- prepares endometrium for pregnancy
(become more glandular + vascular, cells swollen with nutrients)
what is the basis of some birth control tablets ?
as oestrogen levels increase
> release of FSH/LH is inhibited
what happens with no FSH in the body ?
no egg can be formed
no pregnancy can occur
what happens when oestrogen levels are high ?
the release of FSH/LH is promoted
positive feedback
where are the testes situated and what do they secrete ?
in the scrotum
secrete hormone testosterone
what are the functions of testosterone ?
- rapid increase in physical growth during puberty
- development of secondary sex characteristics in males at puberty
3 maturation of reproductive organs + maintaining functional state
- sex drive
what disorders can occur in the testes ?
hypersecretion of reproductive hormones
what is hypersecretion of reproductive hormones and what is the condition called ?
premature onset of puberty in children
masculine features become evident in women
condition: viruism
