The Reproductive System

Question 1

sexual reproduction

Answer 1

production of offspring by the union of two gametes; creates new mixes of genes

Question 2

scrotum

Answer 2

a sac of skin that holds the testes; contains a thin layer of smooth muscle known as the cremaster muscle; when it contracts, it pulls the tests closer to the body

Question 3

testes

Answer 3

the site of sperm production (spermatogenesis); composed of a large number of seminiferous tubules that produce sperm; spermatogonia are continuously undergoing mitosis; as the cells migrate toward the center, they undergo meiosis, which is cell division that produces sex cells.

Question 4

spermatozoa

Answer 4

the sex cells that are produced; have half the normal number of chromosomes, 23

Question 5

interstitial cells

Answer 5

endocrine; produce the hormone testosterone

Question 6

epididymis

Answer 6

a comma-shaped structure found along one side of the testis; each testis has one epididymis; collects, stores, and eventually dumps all of the sperm into the ductus deferens; sperm mature here for about two weeks

Question 7

ductus deferns

Answer 7

also known as vas deferens; a narrow tube that carries the sperm from the epididymis all the way to the urethra

Question 8

ampulla

Answer 8

expanded portion of the ductus deferens where the ductus deferens and urethra meet

Question 9

seminal fluid contents

Answer 9

spermatozoa, nutrients, prostaglandins, coagulants, buffers, antibiotics, and spermatozoa activators

Question 10

seminal vesicles

Answer 10

located to either side of the point where the two ductus deferens meet

Question 11

prostate gland

Answer 11

a single organ that partially surrounds the same area mentioned above; often described as being about the size of a chestnut

Question 12

bulbourethral glands

Answer 12

smallest of the male accessory glands; also known as Cowper’s Glands; located a short distance from the beginning of the urethra

Question 13

penis

Answer 13

composed of erectile tissue and the urethra; highly vascularized

Question 14

regulation

Answer 14

male reproductive system includes: hypothalamus, pituitary gland, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), leutinizing hormone (LH), testes, and testosterone

Question 15

testosterone targets

Answer 15

stimulates spermatogenesis in the tests; stimulates sex drive; stimulates the development of secondary sexual characteristics

Question 16

ovaries

Answer 16

female gonads; located within the pelvic body cavity; 5 cm long and help in place by ligaments; site of oogenesis (production and release of eggs); produce hormones that help regulate the female reproduction cycle

Question 17

oogenesis

Answer 17

process of forming and releasing eggs; meiosis starts before birth; produces very few gametes compared to the male system; only released at a specific time of the month

Question 18

process

Answer 18

primary oocytes are established in the ovary; one is selected monthly; early stages it is a primary follicle, surrounded by granulosa cells while it grows; when a cavity is formed inside, it’s a secondary follicle; when it grows fully, it’s called a mature follicle; it leaves during ovulation; after the remaining granulosa cells of the empty follicle will come together to form the corpus luteum

Question 19

uterine tubes

Answer 19

also known as the fallopian tubes or oviducts; a hollow muscular tube that extends from the ovary to the uterus; it’s function is to carry the egg to the uterus and provide a site for fertilization; the infundibulum catches the egg

Question 20

uterus

Answer 20

a pear shaped organ located in the pelvic cavity of the female; extremely muscular with a hollow interior

Question 21

characteristics of the uterus

Answer 21

primarily smooth muscle; inner lining is called the endometrium; the cervix is the narrow opening to the uterus where it joints to the vagina

Question 22

endometriosis

Answer 22

occurs when endometrial tissue that normally lines the uterus begins to grow in other areas of the body, most commonly the uterine tube or the abdomen

Question 23

endometritis

Answer 23

an inflammation of the endometrium; usually caused by an infection; can be treated with antibiotics

Question 24

key hormones of the female reproductive system

Answer 24

follicle-stimulating hormone, leutinizing hormone, estrogen, progesterone, human chorionic gonadotropin

Question 25

menses begins (day 1)

Answer 25

cycle begins with endometrium break down; pituitary gland begins to release increased levels of follicle stimulating hormone and leutinizing hormone; levels increase substantially; the target of these two hormones is the ovaries; stimulate the development of a primary follicle

Question 26

the follicle develops (day 1-14)

Answer 26

follicle gets larger and starts to secrete estrogen; the estrogen stimulates the endometrium to start thickening again; the tissue glands become more active and the capillary network grows, and cells proliferate

Question 27

ovulation occurs (day 14)

Answer 27

the mature follicle bursts open and expels the oocyte; estrogen levels hit their peak

Question 28

the corpus luteum forms (day 14-26)

Answer 28

a small gland that secretes the following hormones: estrogen and progesterone; they further stimulate the development of the endometrium, inhibits the release of FSH and LH, and prevents development of a new follicle

Question 29

the corpus luteum degenerates (day 26)

Answer 29

lasts about 12 days; production of estrogen and progesterone drop dramatically, until none is being made at all; the endometrium begins to break down and the pituitary begins to release increased amounts of FSH and LH

Question 30

if fertilized

Answer 30

egg will divide rapidly, forming a ball of cells; eventually it will become a hollow ball of cells called a blastocyte; it will eventually move through the uterine tube and reach the wall of the uterus where it will implant; implantation occurs about 7-10 days after ovulation

Question 31

implantation

Answer 31

immediately after implantation, the blastocyte begins to secrete a hormone that is absorbed by the capillaries in the endometrium, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)

Question 32

HCG

Answer 32

stimulates the corpus luteum to stay intact

Question 33

puberty

Answer 33

key hormones are produced beforehand but in very low amounts; regulatory center is the hypothalamus