Repro

Question 1

What is reproduction in biological terms?

Answer 1

A biological process by which new organisms are produced.

Question 2

What are key stages of human reproductive life history?

Answer 2

Fertilisation, embryonic development, birth, puberty, reproductive competence, senescence.

Question 3

How does male reproductive life history differ from female?

Answer 3

Males are continuous breeders; females are cyclic, have a limited number of oocytes, and undergo menopause.

Question 4

What is the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad axis?

Answer 4

A system where GnRH from the hypothalamus stimulates release of FSH and LH from the pituitary.

Question 5

What are the two main types of reproductive hormones?

Answer 5

Peptide hormones (e.g. GnRH, inhibin B) and steroid hormones (e.g. testosterone, estrogen).

Question 6

What is the function of SHBG and ABP?

Answer 6

They bind and transport steroid hormones like testosterone in the blood.

Question 7

What are the stages of sperm development?

Answer 7

Spermatogonia → primary spermatocytes → secondary spermatocytes → spermatids → spermatozoa.

Question 8

What is the role of Sertoli cells?

Answer 8

Support developing sperm, form blood-testis barrier, secrete ABP, inhibin B, and activin.

Question 9

What is the role of Leydig cells?

Answer 9

Produce testosterone in response to LH.

Question 10

What does inhibin B do?

Answer 10

Inhibits FSH secretion from the anterior pituitary.

Question 11

What is the blood-testis barrier?

Answer 11

A barrier formed by Sertoli cells and basal lamina to protect developing sperm.

Question 12

What is capacitation?

Answer 12

Final maturation of sperm in the female tract, making the head fusible.

Question 13

What is the composition of semen?

Answer 13

Sperm and fluid from seminal vesicles (60%), prostate (30%), and bulbourethral glands (5%).

Question 14

What is the function of prostaglandins in semen?

Answer 14

Stimulate smooth muscle contraction in the female reproductive tract.

Question 15

What initiates erection?

Answer 15

Parasympathetic stimulation and nitric oxide release from arterioles.

Question 16

What causes the penis to become erect?

Answer 16

Vasodilation and vasocongestion of erectile tissues restricting venous outflow.

Question 17

What are the two stages of climax?

Answer 17

Emission (sperm moves to urethra) and ejaculation (semen expelled via smooth muscle contraction).

Question 18

When do oogonia complete mitosis?

Answer 18

By the 5th month of gestation in the embryo.

Question 19

How many primary oocytes is a female born with?

Answer 19

Approximately 500,000.

Question 20

When is meiosis completed in the female gamete?

Answer 20

Only after fertilisation.

Question 21

What triggers the resumption of meiosis in the dominant follicle?

Answer 21

LH surge.

Question 22

What are the components of the female external genitalia?

Answer 22

Labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and vestibule.

Question 23

What is the function of the fimbriae in the fallopian tube?

Answer 23

To sweep the ovulated egg into the fallopian tube.

Question 24

Where does fertilisation typically occur?

Answer 24

In the ampulla of the fallopian tube.

Question 25

What is the role of granulosa cells?

Answer 25

To nurture the oocyte and produce estrogen.

Question 26

What happens to non-dominant follicles during a cycle?

Answer 26

They undergo atresia.

Question 27

What does the LH surge stimulate?

Answer 27

Ovulation and resumption of meiosis.

Question 28

What are the three phases of the ovarian cycle?

Answer 28

Follicular phase, ovulation, luteal phase.

Question 29

What are the three phases of the uterine cycle?

Answer 29

Menses, proliferative phase, secretory phase.

Question 30

What hormone maintains the endometrium post-ovulation?

Answer 30

Progesterone.

Question 31

Which hormone dominates the follicular phase?

Answer 31

Estrogen.

Question 32

What hormone is secreted by the corpus luteum?

Answer 32

Progesterone.

Question 33

What initiates the LH surge?

Answer 33

High levels of estrogen causing positive feedback.

Question 34

What triggers female sexual arousal?

Answer 34

Mechanical and sensory stimulation via parasympathetic activation.

Question 35

What glands are responsible for vaginal lubrication?

Answer 35

Bartholin’s glands and plasma transudate from vaginal walls.

Question 36

What is the physiological role of female orgasm?

Answer 36

Not required for conception, but may help sperm movement toward the uterus.

Question 37

Where does fertilisation typically occur?

Answer 37

In the ampulla of the fallopian tube.

Question 38

What is capacitation?

Answer 38

A process where sperm gain the ability to fertilise an egg in the female tract.

Question 39

What enzyme allows sperm to penetrate the zona pellucida?

Answer 39

Acrosin from the acrosome.

Question 40

What prevents polyspermy after fertilisation?

Answer 40

The cortical reaction and zona hardening.

Question 41

When does implantation occur?

Answer 41

Around 7 days after fertilisation.

Question 42

What is a blastocyst?

Answer 42

A hollow ball of cells formed by day 5 of development.

Question 43

What is the function of the trophoblast?

Answer 43

Forms the placenta and secretes hCG.

Question 44

What does hCG do?

Answer 44

Maintains the corpus luteum to continue progesterone production.

Question 45

What is the inner cell mass?

Answer 45

A group of cells in the blastocyst that forms the embryo.

Question 46

What are the functions of the placenta?

Answer 46

Gas/nutrient exchange, hormone secretion, immune modulation.

Question 47

What hormones are produced by the placenta?

Answer 47

hCG, progesterone, estrogen, hPL.

Question 48

What is the function of hPL (human placental lactogen)?

Answer 48

Alters maternal metabolism to favour fetal nutrition.

Question 49

What hormone levels rise prior to parturition?

Answer 49

Estrogen increases while progesterone drops.

Question 50

Which hormone softens the cervix and increases uterine contraction sensitivity?

Answer 50

Estrogen.

Question 51

What triggers uterine contractions?

Answer 51

Oxytocin and prostaglandins.

Question 52

What is the Ferguson reflex?

Answer 52

Positive feedback loop where cervical stretch increases oxytocin release.

Question 53

What stimulates milk ejection?

Answer 53

Oxytocin.

Question 54

What stimulates milk production?

Answer 54

Prolactin.

Question 55

What inhibits milk production during pregnancy?

Answer 55

High levels of estrogen and progesterone.

Question 56

What is colostrum?

Answer 56

Early milk rich in antibodies and protein.

Question 57

What role do alveolar cells in the breast play?

Answer 57

They secrete milk into ducts.

Question 58

What is the main feedback mechanism for continued lactation?

Answer 58

Suckling stimulation maintains prolactin and oxytocin release.