Reproduction and Life Cycles Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering human reproduction (sperm anatomy, gestation, and the menstrual cycle) and plant reproduction (anatomy, fertilization, and seed dispersal).

Gametes

Specialised sex cells, such as the ovum ($egg\ cell$) in females and sperm in males, which contain half the DNA required to form offspring.

Ovum

The female gamete (singular); the plural form is known as ova.

Sperm Head

A streamlined part of the male gamete that is adapted to help it swim; it contains the nucleus with the father's genes.

Sperm Tail

A structure that helps the sperm swim up the female's reproductive system to the ovum.

Mitochondria (in sperm)

Organelles that provide a lot of energy for the sperm's long swim through respiration.

Enzymes (in sperm)

Substances that help deliver the nucleus to the ovum and protect the ovum from any other sperm cell.

Fetal Diffusion

The process where oxygen and nutrients diffuse from the mother's blood into the fetus, while waste diffuses out of the fetus into the mother.

Gestation

The process of cell dividing to form offspring, which lasts approximately $40$ weeks in humans.

Menstruation

The first stage of the cycle ($5$ days) where the lining is lost and seen as a period as blood discharges.

Oviduct

The location where the released ovum travels and could potentially encounter a sperm for fertilization.

Ovule

The part of the plant that holds the ovum and keeps the embryo safe.

Ovary (Plant)

The center part of the plant that holds ovules and is able to produce many offspring simultaneously.

Stigma

The part of the plant with a sticky end where pollen gets stuck.

Anthers

The part of the plant that makes pollen, which contains the male gamete.

Petal

The part of the plant designed to attract pollinators.

Plant Fertilization

The process that occurs when the pollen ($male\ gamete$) is delivered to the ovum.

Sycamore seed

A type of seed that has wings to allow it to fly for dispersal; this is actually two seeds.

Explosive Seed Dispersal

A method where a plant bursts out seeds after building up pressure and becoming dry and brittle.