Reproductive System and Heredity

Flashcards covering the reproductive system, chromosomes, heredity, and other related topics.

What is the function of the scrotum?

Keeps testes 2-3 degrees below body temperature.

What does the cremaster muscle do?

Raises testes due to sexual arousal or cold temperature.

What is cryptorchidism?

Failure of the testes to descend.

What occurs in the seminiferous tubules?

Where sperm is created.

What is the function of the epididymis?

Matures sperm.

What is located on the head of the sperm?

Acrosome.

Where does spermatogenesis take place?

Seminiferous tubules.

What is the function of Leydig cells?

Secretes testosterone.

What is the function of dihydritestoreone?

Responsible for male pattern development before birth and other functions.

What is the function of Genatotropic releasing hormone (GnRH)?

Affects the anterior pituitary gland causing release of follicle stimulating hormone.

What is the function of inhibin?

Decreases follicle stimulating hormone.

What are the funtions of Sertoli cells?

Blood/testes barrier, nourishes sperm, provides fluid, and secretes inhibin.

What is the function of seminal vesicles?

Secretes alkaline fluid with fructose and prostaglandins.

What is secreted by the prostate?

Citric acid

What is the function of the Cowper's gland (Bulbourethral)?

Alkaline Mucus – lubrication

What are the mechanisms of an erection?

Dilation of arteries that increase blood flow into the penis and closes of venous blood return.

What are the mechanisms of ejaculation?

Smooth muscle contraction and constriction of the urinary bladder sphincter

What is circumcision?

Removal of the foreskin around penis.

What occurs during the excitement phase of female sexual response?

Reproductive organs engorging with blood.

What sensations define an orgasm?

Intense pleasure, tension release, expulsion of semen.

What is the definition of ejaculation?

Semen expelled from penis with contractions of muscles in urethra.

What defines the resolution phase of male sexual activity?

Refractory period – No erection possible and Intense relaxation.

What are the main causes of infertility?

Physical impediments, Retroflexed uterus, Pubescent penis, Hymen B. Low sperm counts E. Impotency C. Ectopic pregnancy D. Irregular gametes

What are the causes of erectile dysfunction?

Low nitric oxide, Cortical problems, Low arousal, Low mucous production and Lack of “tenting phenomena.

What is the function of the broad ligament?

Holds ovaries and uterus to peritoneum.

What is the function of the ovarian ligament?

Connects ovaries to uterus.

What is the function of the suspensory ligament?

Connects fallopian tubes to peritoneum.

What is the definition of the uterus?

Eversible-inward pouch, Anteflexed, Can be retroflexed, Goes vertical during arousal “tenting phenomena”.

What is the process of the hysterectomy?

Removal of the uterus.

What are the three layers of the uterus?

Perimetrium – serosa, Myometrium – muscularis 3 layers, Endometrium: stratum basalis, stratum functionalis – shed during menstruation

What are the main functions of the vagina?

Connects uterus with outside of body, Functions as birth canal, Receives penis during intercourse, Passageway for menstruation

What are the functions of Folliculogenesis?

Release of Genatotropic releasing hormone from hypothalamus stimulates anterior pituitary to release FSH and LH leading to development of secondary follicle from primary follicle. The secondary follicle begins to release estrogen in very small levels. As the secondary follicle begins to develop, there is a release of LH.

What happens without fertilization?

Corpus luteum becomes corpus albicans and menstruation begins again.

What happens during the Follicular Phase?

Development of dominant follicle.

What happens during the Proliferative Phase?

Rebuilding of the endometrium. Release of estrogen

What happens during the Ovulation?

LH surge of Graafian follicle

What happens during the Luteal Phase?

thick lining to prepare uterus for pregnancy, release of progesterone

What is the function of the Secretory Period?

Maintenance of endometrium, without fertilization progesterone levels decline and the endometrium sloughs off

What are the causes of Amenorrhea?

Hormone imbalance, Obesity/extreme weight loss, rigorous athletic activity

What are the causes of Dysmenorrhea - refers to pain associated with menstruation?

Uterine tumors, Ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease

What happens if the egg is fertilized?

Maintenance of endometrial lining.

What happens during the excitement phase of female sexual activity?

Reproductive organs engorging with blood.

What happens during the Orgasm phase of female sexual activity?

Intense pleasure, tension release

What happens during the Resolution phase of female sexual activity?

Uterus returning to original position

What is the definition of Surgical sterilization?

surgical sealing, blocking or cutting of the fallopian tubes in women preventing the eggs from reaching the uterus. Vasectomy is a surgical procedure in which the vas deferens are cut or blocked in men preventing the release of sperm during ejaculation.

What are the hormonal methods of birth control?

Combined oral contraceptives → releases progesterone and estrogen. Fools body into thinking its pregnant. Hormonal patches, Hormonal injections, Hormonal implant.

What are the types of Intrauterine Devices (IUD’s)?

Copper IUD, Hormonal IUD

What are the types of barrier methods birth control?

male condoms, female condoms, diaphragms and cervical caps

What is the action of RU486?

blocks action of progesterone, endometrium sloughs off

What is Wolffian vs. Mullerian Tract?

Müllerian ducts (female) and Wolffian ducts (male). These ducts are both present, but during sexual differentiation, one set develops into the reproductive organs characteristic of that sex, while the other regresses. 

What is the outcome of males the Y chromosomes have the SRY gene?

Sertoli cells to secrete mullerian inhibiting substance which leads to the inhibition of the mullerian tract and allows the wolffian tract to develop.

What does the development of the wolffian tract lead too?

vas deferens, epididymis, seminal vesicles

What is Benign prostatic hyperplasia?

Non cancerous enlargement of the prostate

What percentage of men are affected by Benign prostatic hyperplasia

Over 80% of men over 70

How does Benign prostatic hyperplasia affect someone?

Compresses urethra and obstructs flow of urine making it harder to completely empty the bladder

What type of person is more prone to Benign prostatic hyperplasia?

More common in men who are obese, physically inactive, and consume alcohol to excess.

How do tumors affect the prostate?

Tumors tend to be near the periphery of the gland where they do not obstruct urine flow

How many men has Prostate Cancer affected?

Leading form of cancer excluding non melanoma skin cancer

What is the most common form of diagnosis for prostate cancer?

Digital rectal exam; palpated through rectal wall to check for tumors

Give examples of a somatic cell

muscle cells, hepatic cells, renal cells, etc.

What pairs of chromasomes are autosomes

First 22 pairs

What pair of chromosomes are sex chromosomes

23rd pair

What happens during Pre-Meiotic Interphase

DNA replicates, Organelles replicate, Centrioles Replicate

What occurs during cell Prophase

Chromatin condenses into chromosomes, Centrioles travel to opposite poles, Spindle fibers form, Homologous chromosomes line up side by side to form a tetrad (synapsis)

What occurs during Tetrad Synapsis?

Homologous chromosomes line up side by side to form a tetrad

What effect does crossing over have?

Crossing over increases genetic variation

What occurs during cell Metaphase

Chromosomes line up at the midline of the cell.

What occurs during cell Anaphase

Chromosomes are pulled to opposite poles, Cytokinesis begins to divide cells

What occurs during cell Telophase I

Nuclear membrane forms again, two new daughter cells

What is a Genotype?

The genetic makeup of an organism

What is a Dominate Gene?

Dominant genes control a particular trait; expression of recessive genes is inhibited by the presence of dominant genes.

What means Homozygous?

An individual with the same genes on homologous chromosomes (e.g., PP or pp)

What means Heterozygous

An individual with different genes on homologous chromosomes (e.g., Pp)

What means Phenotype?

The traits that are expressed

What is a Mutation?

A permanent heritable change in a gene that causes it to have a different effect than it had previously.

What is Nondisjunction?

Results in an abnormal number of chromosomes.

What is a Aneuploid?

A cell that has one or more chromosomes of a set added or deleted

What is Downs Syndrome?

Trisomy-21 = three copies of the 21st chromosome caused by a translocation to the 21st chromosome

What is Senescence?

Degeneration of organ systems after the age of peak functional efficiency.

How do Gonads effect the reproduction system?

Gonads produce gametes

How long is an oocyte viable?

An oocyte is viable up to 24 after ovulation

How long are sperm reliable?

Sperm are viable up to 48 after ejaculation

What is Pregnancy?

Time from fertilization until infant is born

What is a Conceptus?

Developing offspring

What is a Embryo?

Period of time from fertilization until week 8

What is a Fetus?

Week 9 until birth

What is Gestation period?

From date of last period until birth

How is a Phenotype decided?

The result of the interactions of genotype and the environment.

What is a Teratogen?

Any agent or influence that causes developmental defects in the embryo

What is an Anatomical change to a mom during pregnancy?

Enlargement of the uterus

Common lumbar curvature during pregnancy

Lordosis

What is the most common Gastrointestinal issues with pregnancy?

Morning sickness

What influences childbirth?

Rising levels of hormones—oxytocin and prostaglandins—initiates contractions and forces the baby deeper into the mother’s pelvis