The Female Reproductive System (Physiology)

Question 1

Name three layers of the uterus

Answer 1

Endometrium
Myometrium
Outer connective tissue layer

Question 2

What are the functions of the ovary?

Answer 2

The production of ova and hormones.

Question 3

What cells/ structure produces the:
A. Oestrogen
B. Progesterone

Answer 3

A. Both the granulosa cells in the follicles and the corpus luteum.
B. Only the corpus luteum

Question 4

Where is testosterone produced in females?

Answer 4

Fat tissue

Question 5

List the steroid hormone biosynthesis in chronological order:
Testosterone, Progesterone, cholesterol, estradiol

Answer 5

•Cholesterol
•Progesterone
•Testosterone
•Estradiol

Question 6

Functions of oestrogens (5)

Answer 6

-Secondary sexual characteristics
-Proliferation of myometrium, endometrial glands, epithelium of vagina.
-Partially controls the menstrual cycle.
-Suppresses ovulation during pregnancy.
-Enhance uterine response towards progesterone.

Question 7

Functions of progesterone (4)

Answer 7

-Decreases sensitivity of the uterus towards oxytocin.
-Stimulates the secretory activities of endometrial glands and prepares uterus for implantation of blastocyst.
- Stimulates the development of mammary glands during pregnancy.
-Stimulates the secretory activities of the fallopian tubes.

Question 8

Name three phases of the uterine cycle

Answer 8

Menstrual phase
Follicular or proliferative phase
Secretory or luteal phase

Question 9

Which hormone controls the follicular phase (in uterine cycle)?

Answer 9

Oestrogens

Question 10

Which hormone controls the secretory phase?

Answer 10

Progesterone

Question 11

When does the corpus luteum degenerate (if there’s no fertilisation)?

Answer 11

At day 26-27

Question 12

What is charecterised by the degeneration of corpus luteum

Answer 12

Decrease in progesterone and oestrogen levels.

Question 13

What structure produces gonadotrophin, oestrogen and progesterone during pregnancy?

Answer 13

Placenta

Question 14

Three steps of the ovarian cycle

Answer 14

Follicular phase- growth of follicles, under FSH.
Ovulation-release of ovum, under LH.
Luteal phase- corpus luteum secretes hormones.

Question 15

What are the indicators of ovulation? (3)

Answer 15

Secretary pattern in endometrial biopsy.
Change in basal body temperature.
Thick cervical mucosa

Question 16

How does the meiosis of an ovum differ from that of sperm cells?

Answer 16

In an ovum meiosis stops as metaphase 2, it only continues when the ovum is being fertilised.

Question 17

List and describe the stages of oogenesis

Answer 17

Oogonium (46n) which if formed in an embryo.
Mitosis occurs and forms primary oocytes (46n) prior to birth.
After puberty, one primary oocyte reached maturation.It becomes an enlarged primary oocyte (46n).
It undergoes meiosis one forming the first polar body and the secondary oocyte (23n)
The secondary oocyte undergoes meiosis 2, but it stops in metaphase 2 and only continues when the ovum is fertilised, forming a mature ovum (23n).
Second polar bodies also form, all the polar bodies degenerate.