Reproductive System Practice

seminiferous tubules

sperm forming portion of the testes

epididymis

• first part of the male duct system

• provides temporary storage for sperm maturation

spermatic cord

connective tissue sheath that holds vas deferens, blood vessels, and nerves

seminal vesicles

• produces a secretion that account for 60% of semen

bulbourethral/Cowper's glands

secretes pre-ejaculate to cleanse urethra and act as a lubricant for sperm

testes

male primary sex organ

penis

male accessory sex organ necessary for copulation

ovaries

primary female reproductive organ

fallopiano/uterine tube

allows passage of ova towards uterus and of sperm to ovaires

uterus

houses, nourishes, and protects the embryo/fetus/baby

vagina

• aka the birth canal

  • female sex accessory necessary for copulation

define copulation

sexual intercourse

clitoris

female equivalent of the penis, composed of sensitive erectile tissue

acrosome reaction (capitulation)

a process in sperm cells that enables the sperm to break through the egg’s coating so that fertilization can occur

blastocyst

embryos which are above five days old and consist of a hollow ball contains 50-100 cells

breast

aka mammary gland, in females it produces milk after pregnancy

apoptosis (polar bodies)

aka programmed cell death, it’s part of normal growth and development, and cellular regulation in multicellular organisms

childbirth

aka parturition or labor, the act of giving birth

cortical reaction

the permanent change in the surface of the egg cell triggered by the fusion of the sperm plasma membrane and the egg plasma membrane. contents of the cortical granules are released and harden the vitelline layer of the egg cell

endometrium

the moist mucous membrane lining the uterus

estrogen

a steroid hormone, which functions as the primary female sex hormone

fertility

capability of producing offspring

fertilization

the union of male and female gametes to form a zygote

FSH

hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary; stimulates ovarian follicular development and estrogen secretions in females and sperm production in males

implantation

an even occurring early in pregnancy in which the blastocyst attaches to the epithelial lining of the uterus

lactation

production and secretion of milk from the mammary glands

LH

the hormone that stimulates ovulation, luteinization, and secretion of estrogen and progesterone in females and stimulates testosterone secretion in males

menopause

cessation of ovulation and menstruation in women

menstrual cycle

the cycle of changes in reproductive physiology occurring in fertile females. in humans the cycle last approx 28 days

oogenesis

the process where oocytes are produced

oxytocin

a hormone with roles in uterine contraction during labor, and milk letdown in lactating females

placenta

a specialized organ, characteristic of most mammals, that enables exchanges via the blood supply of nutrient, gases, and wastes between mother and fetus

pregnancy

the state of carrying offspring (a fetus) inside the uterus of a female

progesterone

a steroid hormone that involved in the female menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and embryogenesis

prostaglandins

hormone-like substances that are involved in stimulating contraction of smooth muscle. in labor, they stimulate the uterus to contract

puberty

the period of physical changes during which a child’s body becomes a reproductively capable adult body

reproductive system

the system of organs associated with reproduction

spermatogenesis

the production of male gametes, spermatogonia develop into mature sperm cells

STD/STI

Diseases/infections that are passed on by unprotected sexual activity

testosterone

principal male sex hormone