Reproduction

Question 1

What is the structure of the testes?

Answer 1

Fibrous tissue divided into 250 columns

Question 2

What does each lobule in the testes contain?

Answer 2

1-4 coiled seminiferous tubules (manufacture sperm)

Question 3

Where is testosterone made?

Answer 3

In interstitial cells / Leydig cells

Question 4

What is the function of the prostate?

Answer 4

Secretions activate sperm
e.g. spermine

Question 5

What is a test for prostate cancer?

Answer 5

Prostate-Specific Antigen
High blood levels of enzymes in prostate cancer

Question 6

What is the function of the seminal vesicles?

Answer 6

Secrete nutrients and enzymes into ejaculate and increase sperm mobility

Question 7

What is the percentage of nutrients and enzymes in semen?

Answer 7

60%

Question 8

What is Spermatogenesis?

Answer 8

Formation of sperm in seminiferous tubules regulated by sex hormones

Question 9

What is the function of the blood-testes barrier?

Answer 9

Prevent immune system from killing sperm cells

Question 10

What is a Spermatid?

Answer 10

A spermocyte that contains DNA but is not motile due to lack of a tail

Question 11

What is Spermiogenesis?

Answer 11

Formation of a tail on a spermatid

Question 12

What is the Acrosome?

Answer 12

• Around the head of a sperm cell
• Has enzymes that allow it to enter a female egg

Question 13

How long does it take for spermatogenesis to occur and at what temperature?

Answer 13

64-72 days at 32°C

Question 14

What are the TWO hormones made during Spermatogenesis?

Answer 14

Testosterone and Inhibin

Question 15

What hormone stimulates Sertoli Cells?

Answer 15

Follicle Stimulating Hormone
(FSH)

Question 16

What do Sertoli cells release?

Answer 16

• Androgen Binding Protein (stimulates spermatogenesis)
• Inhibin (inhibits FSH release)

Question 17

What is the function of Lutenising Hormone?

Answer 17

Stimulates Leydig cells
(release testosterone)

Question 18

What are the functions of testosterone?

Answer 18

• Stimulates spermatogenesis
• Inhibits hypothalamic release of GnRh

Question 19

What hormone provides SECONDARY sex characteristics such as hair growth?

Answer 19

Testosterone

Question 20

How many eggs do females have at birth, during puberty and reproductive years respectively?

Answer 20

• Birth: 2million
• Puberty: 400,000
• Reproductive years: 400 oocytes ovulated

Question 21

What is an oocyte?

Answer 21

Immature egg surrounded by follicle cells

Question 22

What are the TWO phases of the ovarian cycle?

Answer 22

1. Follicular phase
2. Luteal phase

Question 23

What happens during ovulation?

Answer 23

Ovary wall ruptures and follicle is released

Question 24

What is the name of the clotted blood the ruptured follicle fills with?

Answer 24

Corpus luteum

Question 25

What are the hormones secreted by the corpus luteum?

Answer 25

Progesterone & Oestrogen

Question 26

How does the corpus luteum know if fertilisation has occured or not?

Answer 26

Through the bloodstream, if chemicals are secreted or not

Question 27

What is the protein produced by fat cells?

Answer 27

Leptin

Question 28

Why is the level of leptin important?

Answer 28

If blood leptin is low then puberty is delayed

Question 29

What hormone does LH stimulate in the female reproductive system?

Answer 29

Oestrogen

Question 30

What inhibits FSH and LH and where are they produced?

Answer 30

Progesterone and Oestrogen produced by the corpus luteum

Question 31

What structures transfer the ovum to the womb/uterus?

Answer 31

Fallopian Tubes

Question 32

Describe the structure of the Uterus

Answer 32

Hollow, thick walled muscle that supports the developing ovum

Question 33

What is the surface smooth muscle of the uterus called?

Answer 33

Endometrium Makes placenta and gets bigger during pregnancy

Question 34

What is the underlying smooth muscle of the uterus called?

Answer 34

Myometrium

Question 35

What hormones maintain the endometrium with blood supply?

Answer 35

Oestrogen & Progesterone

Question 36

What happens during menstruation?

Answer 36

* Endometrium is shed * Oestrogen and progesterone are low

Question 37

What happens during proliferation?

Answer 37

* Endometrium begins rebuilding * Growing follicles * Oestrogen produced * Endometrial progesterone receptors appear

Question 38

What happens on day 14 of the uterine / menstrual cycle?

Answer 38

Ovulation

Question 39

What is the last phase of the uterine / mentrual cycle?

Answer 39

Secretory phase

Question 40

What happens if the egg is not fertilised?

Answer 40

* Corpus luteum degenerates * Progesterone decreases * Endometrium breaks down

Question 41

What happens to the arteries if no fertilisation occurs?

Answer 41

* They constrict due to lack of O2 and nutrients reaching the endometrium * Arteries then relax, blood surges into the weakened capillaries and they break apart

Question 42

What is the hormone produced during pregnancy that tells the endometrium to stay?

Answer 42

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)

Question 43

What do pregancy tests detect in the urine?

Answer 43

Antibodies to Human Chorionic Gonadotropin

Question 44

What are the THREE occuring oestrogens?

Answer 44

1. 17β-Oestradiol (active) 2. Oestrone 3. Oestriol

Question 45

How are steroid hormones transported in the blood?

Answer 45

60% bound to albumin and 38% bound to Gonadal Steroid Binding Globulin (GBG)

Question 46

What are the effects of steroid hormones in females?

Answer 46

Induces and maintain female secondary sex characteristics

Question 47

What produces progesterone and how is it transported in the blood?

Answer 47

From corpus luteum 80% bound to albumin and 18% bound to GBG

Question 48

What are the effects of progesterone?

Answer 48

* Responsible for changes in the endometrium * Most effects exhibited during pregnancy

Question 49

What is Menopause?

Answer 49

Ovarian function declines from late 20s and ovulation ceases in late 40s / early 50s

Question 50

What happens when oestrogen is lost?

Answer 50

* Atrophy of sex organs * Depression * Vasodilation of blood vessels * Thining of skin * Loss of bone mass * Increase in blood cholesterol

Question 51

What is the Dormitory Effect?

Answer 51

Olfactory system sending activity to hypothalamus in response to pheromones ## Footnote Humans don't release pheromones