Week 11 - The Reproductive System

Question 1

What are the primary organs of the female reproductive system?

Answer 1

Ovaries, uterine (Fallopian) tubes, uterus, vagina, external genitalia (clitoris, labia minora/majora), and mammary glands.

Question 2

What are the functions of the ovaries?

Answer 2

Produce ova via oogenesis, ovulate, and secrete oestrogen and progesterone.

Question 3

What is the function of the uterine tubes?

Answer 3

Transport ovum, site of fertilisation, connect ovaries to uterus.

Question 4

What are the three regions of the uterine tube?

Answer 4

Isthmus (proximal), ampulla (middle), infundibulum with fimbriae (distal).

Question 5

What are the layers of the uterus?

Answer 5

Perimetrium (outer), myometrium (middle, smooth muscle), endometrium (inner mucosa).

Question 6

What is the function of the endometrium?

Answer 6

Site of implantation and sheds during menstruation if no pregnancy.

Question 7

What is the function of the cervix?

Answer 7

Produces mucus, facilitates childbirth, separates uterus from vagina.

Question 8

What is the role of the vagina?

Answer 8

Passageway for childbirth and menstrual flow, acidic environment deters infection.

Question 9

What is the role of the mammary glands?

Answer 9

Produce, secrete, and eject milk in response to pregnancy hormones.

Question 10

What are the main male reproductive organs?

Answer 10

Testes, epididymis, vas deferens, urethra, penis, seminal vesicles, prostate, bulbourethral glands.

Question 11

Where does spermatogenesis occur?

Answer 11

In the seminiferous tubules of the testes.

Question 12

What are Sertoli cells?

Answer 12

Supporting cells in seminiferous tubules; nourish developing sperm.

Question 13

What are Leydig cells?

Answer 13

Cells between tubules that secrete testosterone.

Question 14

What is the function of the epididymis?

Answer 14

Site for sperm maturation and motility development.

Question 15

What is the function of the vas deferens?

Answer 15

Transports sperm from epididymis to urethra.

Question 16

What are the functions of seminal vesicles?

Answer 16

Produce ~65% of semen, nourish and activate sperm.

Question 17

What does the prostate gland secrete?

Answer 17

Fluid to energise sperm; forms ~30% of semen.

Question 18

What is the role of the bulbourethral glands?

Answer 18

Secrete alkaline mucus to protect sperm.

Question 19

What is the function of the scrotum?

Answer 19

Maintains optimal testicular temperature.

Question 20

When does oogenesis begin?

Answer 20

During foetal development.

Question 21

When does spermatogenesis begin?

Answer 21

At puberty.

Question 22

How many ova are produced per oogonium?

Answer 22

One ovum (and polar bodies).

Question 23

How many sperm are produced per spermatogonium?

Answer 23

Four sperm.

Question 24

What is spermiogenesis?

Answer 24

Final maturation step where sperm gain characteristic shape.

Question 25

When does oogenesis stop?

Answer 25

At menopause.

Question 26

What hormone regulates spermatogenesis?

Answer 26

Testosterone.

Question 27

Where are follicles located?

Answer 27

In the ovaries; contain oocytes and supporting cells.

Question 28

What are the phases of the ovarian cycle?

Answer 28

Pre-ovulatory, ovulation, post-ovulatory.

Question 29

What are the phases of the uterine cycle?

Answer 29

Menstrual, proliferative, secretory.

Question 30

What hormone triggers ovulation?

Answer 30

Luteinising hormone (LH) surge.

Question 31

What hormone promotes follicle development?

Answer 31

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

Question 32

What hormones are secreted by the corpus luteum?

Answer 32

Oestrogen and progesterone.

Question 33

What hormone maintains the corpus luteum if fertilisation occurs?

Answer 33

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

Question 34

What causes menstruation?

Answer 34

Drop in oestrogen and progesterone after corpus luteum degenerates.

Question 35

What is the role of oestrogen in the cycle?

Answer 35

Thickens endometrium during proliferative phase.

Question 36

What is the role of progesterone?

Answer 36

Maintains thickened endometrium in secretory phase.

Question 37

When does female fertility begin and end?

Answer 37

Begins at puberty, ends at menopause.

Question 38

How does male fertility change with age?

Answer 38

Sperm production continues but declines in number and quality.

Question 39

What happens to the ovarian cycle during pregnancy?

Answer 39

It stops; corpus luteum is maintained by hCG.

Question 40

How many sperm are produced daily?

Answer 40

Approximately 300 million.

Question 41

How long does it take for sperm to mature?

Answer 41

Approximately 64 days.