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Human Biology - Human Body Systems - Level 4 > Human Reproductive Biology > Flashcards

Human Reproductive Biology Flashcards

(48 cards)

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1
Q

Male

Gonads

A

Testes

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2
Q

Male

Sex glands

A

Seminal vesicles
Prostate gland
Bulbo-urethral gland

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3
Q

Male

Ducts

A

Epipydidymis
Vas Deferens
Ejaculatory duct
Urethra

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4
Q

Female

Gonads

A 
Ovaries
Fallopian tubes / oviducts
Uterus 
Vagina
Uvula / Pudendum
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5
Q

Reproductive Cells

Testes

A

Produce germ cells

Spermatozoa

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6
Q

Reproductive Cells

Ovaries

A

Produce germ cells

Oocytes

  • Known as gametes.
  • Produced via meiosis
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7
Q

What is Spermatogenesis

A

Production of Sperm:

  • initiated at start of puberty
  • ~300 million produced per day

Occurs in seminiferous tubules.

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8
Q

Seminiferous Epithelium

A

Formed by two cell populations

  • spermatogenic germ line cells
  • sertoli supporting cells
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9
Q

What are Interstitial Cells?

A
  • Adjacent to seminiferous tubules
  • Stimulated by LH to produce testosterone
  • Concentrate testosterone 20-200 times the level found in blood via ABP (Androgen Binding Protein).
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10
Q

Hormones and Spermatogenesis

Process

A

Hypothalamus releases GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone)

Anterior pituitary releases FSH & LH

LH = Interstitial cells + Testosterone
FSH = Sertoli cells + Spermatogonia - Inhibin

LH + FSH = Spermatogenesis

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11
Q

Spermatogenesis Process

A

Germinal Epithelium (lining of seminiferous tubule)

Primordial sperm (2n)
(Mitosis)
Spermatogonium (2n)
(Mitosis / Differentiation)
Primary Spermatocyte (2n)
(Meiosis)
Secondary Spermatocyte (n)
(Meiosis II)
Spermatid (n) + Spermatazoon (n) 
(Spermiogenesis)
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12
Q

Germ Line Stem Cells

A
  • Spermatagonial stem cells can be isolated from testis tissue
  • They can be transplanted into a recipients testis
  • The transplanted cells to develop into competent sperm
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13
Q

Deposition of Semen in Humans

A
  • Semen is deposited in the vagina, at the cervical Os.
  • Semen coagulates due to sex gland enzymes
  • Coagulant retains spermatozoa at the cervical os
  • Coagulant acts as alkaline buffer in acidic vagina (pH 5.7)
  • Within one minute sperm are detected in the cervix.
  • 99% of sperm are lost from vagina
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14
Q

What is puberty?

A

Immature individuals acquires the physical and behavioural attributes which will allow them to reproduce.

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15
Q

What are Twin Studies?

A

Genetic influences are the single largest factor accounting for variation in pubertal development.

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16
Q

What are external factors effecting?

A

Stressful events
Endocrine disrupting chemicals
Adiposity

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17
Q

Rule of Nutrition in Pubertal Initiation

A

Puberty is later in countries which have “sub-optimal” socioeconomic status.

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18
Q

Causes of delayed puberty:

A
  • Malnutrition e.g. Anorexia Nervosa
  • Elite athletes e.g. gymnasts & ballerinas

Advanced puberty associated with moderate obesity.

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19
Q

What is the menstrual cycle?

A
  • Transport gametes to site of fertilisation
  • Provide suitable site for embryo implantation
  • Ends in endometrial shedding. (Releases period)
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20
Q

Menstrual Cycle Steps

Study These Flashcards
A

1) Menstruation begins
2) FSH is released
3) Eggs begin to mature in ovary
4) Endometrium builds up
5) LH is released
6) Oestrogen released
7) One egg is more mature than others. Maturation of others slows.
8) Egg is mature
9) Ovulation occurs
10) Ovum travels down oviduct
11) Progesterone released
12) Fertilisation may now occur
13) Corpus luteum breaks down
14) Progesterone drops
15) Oestrogen drops
16) Endometrium breaks down

21
Q

Menstruation summarised

Study These Flashcards
A

Decreased oestrogen and progesterone

Leads to endometrial shredding

22
Q

What is the proliferative / follicular stage?

Study These Flashcards
A

Increase in FSH
Ovum matures
Increase in oestrogen
Endometrium thickening

As oestrogen peaks, pituitary gland shows FSH production and releases LH instead.

23
Q

What is ovulation?

Study These Flashcards
A

Ovum bursts from follicle - travels down Fallopian tube

24
Q

What is the secretory / luteal phase?

Study These Flashcards
A

Corpus luteum
Increase in progesterone
Increased oestrogen
Increased endometrium

25
What happens if: No fertilisation signal
Corpus luteum degenerates = lowered progesterone and oestrogen
26
What are the hormones in oocytogenesis?
Hypothalamus releases Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormones (GnRH). Anterior pituitary releases gonadotropins (FSH + LH) Immature ovum in primary follicle Follicle matures Ovulation Corpus luteum formed Progesterone and a little oestrogen If ovum is fertilised - secretes human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
27
Function of Human Cervical Mucus
- Protects cervix from hostile vaginal environment e.g. pH, leukocytes and pathogens. - Restricts sperm entering uterus: * Abnormal sperm morphs * Fertile window in cycle * High oestrogen and low viscosity - Provides potential auxiliary energy source. - Removes factors from sperm e.g. anti-capacitation factors (cholesterol)
28
What is fertilisation?
Sperm have to swim to the ampulla of the Fallopian tube. Most sperm are lost
29
Process of fertilisation
1) Binding of sperm to zona pellucida 2) Acrosomal action 3) Penetration through zona pellucida 4) Fusion of plasma membranes 5) Sperm nucleus enters egg cytoplasm
30
Sperm - Zona Pellucida Binding
Supports communication between oocytes and follicle cells during oogenesis; protects oocytes and eggs.
31
What happens with pre-implantation?
Establishment of dialogue between a receptive endometrium and a viable embryo.
32
How are blastocysts formed?
Four cell - main activation of embryonic genome (human) Compaction - 16 to 32 cell stage in human. Inner cell mass (1cm) Trophectoderm -> placenta Creates blastocyst (Approx. 6 days)
33
Purpose of pre-implantation Development
To generate an: implantation-competent blastocyst.
34
Requirements of implantation-competent blastocyst
1) A differentiated outer layer of Trophectoderm epithelium. | 2) An aggregate of undifferentiated embryonic stem cells, in the inner cell mass (1cm) from which fetus is derived.
35
Why is having a differentiated outer layer of Trophectoderm epithelium important?
- Capable of pumping fluid to generate a blastocyst cavity. - Capable of interacting with the endometrium for implantaton. - Capable of generating all placental lineages.
36
Features of Human Endometrium
Luteal or secretory phase Luminal epithelium Simple columnar cell
37
How is implantation regulated?
- Hormones - Non-receptive luminal epithelium outside the window phase. - An active embryonic stimulus is required to initiate implantation. - Receptive luminal epithelium able to respond to this signal.
38
What do human embryos attach to?
Endometrial epithelial cells with local clearance of the 'barrier' much MUC1.
39
What does the attachment of human embryos to epithelial cells suggest?
This suggests paracrine (juxtacrine) communication between the embryo and the maternal epithelium.
40
What is the placenta?
Organs that develop during pregnancy. Discoid 20-25cm o 3cm thick. 400-750g Is the interface between mother and fetus. Mediates relationship.
41
Uses of placenta
Fetal supply line entirely responsible for nourishment and waste removal. Fetal growth and survival is completely dependent on a healthy, optimally functioning placenta.
42
Function of Placenta
- Gas exchange - Nutrient exchange - Hormone production and secretion - Protective barrier Highly specialised structure and cell types to perform these functions.
43
What is the Placental Vascular Anatomy
- Chorionic plate - Fetal circulation - Decidua basalis - Myometrium - Endometrium veins / arteries - Cytrophoblastic shell
44
Placental Vascularisation
D18-20pc: capillaries detected in mesenchyme Derived from progenitor (stem) cells.
45
Consequences of Placental Developmental Abnormalities
Abnormal development or function of placenta related to serious pregnancy complications: - fetal growth restriction (FGR) - Stillbirth - Pre-eclampsia
46
Positives of using mice?
- Ease of genetic manipulation to create disease models - Can study effects of gene knockout on fetus ad placenta - Relatively cheap - Short gestation - Have hemochonial placentas (trophoblast cells bathed in maternal blood - mice / human)
47
Negatives of using mice?
- Some differences to human pregnancy - Short gestation - Large litters - Differences in placental structure
48
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) What is it used for?
Selectively identify cell antigens in tissues. Ki67 - cell proliferation marker

Human Biology - Human Body Systems - Level 4 (6 decks)

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