Reproduction in Humans Flashcards

Flashcards covering the key vocabulary and concepts related to human reproduction, including the male and female reproductive systems, fertilization, fetal development, hormones, and sexually transmitted infections.

Ovaries

Produce egg cells (ova) and female hormones (oestrogen & progesterone).

Oviduct (Fallopian tubes)

Transfer eggs from the ovary to the uterus by peristalsis and contains cilia to push the ova into the uterus. It is the site of fertilization.

Uterus (Womb)

Has a thick muscular wall and is the site of implantation where the embryo will fix and develop. If there is no fertilization the lining is broken down, releasing blood, this is called menstruation.

Cervix

A muscular ring in the lower end of the uterus that dilates during birth to allow the baby to pass.

Vagina

An elastic muscular tube where sperms are deposited during sexual intercourse.

Testes

Produce of sperms and testosterone (male sex hormone).

Scrotum

Supports testes outside the body to keep them cooler, which is important for sperm production.

Epididymis

Coiled tube that stores sperms.

Sperm duct

Carry sperms from the testes to the penis.

Urethra

A common passage for both urine and semen and carries sperms to the outside of the body.

Prostate & seminal vesicles

Secrete seminal fluid to mix with sperm, providing energy and neutralizing acidity.

Penis

The organ that inserts semen into the female vagina during sexual intercourse.

Sperm Head

Contains nucleus with chromosomes and an acrosome with enzymes to dissolve the jelly surrounding the egg cell.

Sperm Neck

Many mitochondria to provide energy for the flagellum to move the sperm.

Sperm Tail (flagellum)

Produces swimming movements by beating back and forth.

Ovam

Contains stores of energy for the zygote to divide after fertilization and is surrounded by a jelly coat that changes to prevent more sperms from entering.

Ovulation

The release of an egg from the ovary into the oviduct (occurs at day 14 of the menstrual cycle).

Fertilization

Fusion between the nucleus of one sperm with the nucleus of the egg cells.

Embryo

A little ball of cells, formed by the zygote divides repeatedly.

Implantation

The embryo moves down the oviduct into the uterus, and fix to the lining.

Amniotic Fluid

Protects and support the fetus as it grows, prevent infections, facilitates the movement of the fetus and maintain temperature.

Placenta Functions

Exchange of dissolved food molecules, oxygen and water from the mother's blood to the fetus and removal of carbon dioxide and urea from the fetus's blood to the mother's blood.

Testosterone

Testes secrete this hormone that causes development of secondary sexual characteristics in boys.

Progesterone and oestrogen

Ovaries produce these hormones that cause development of secondary sexual characteristics in girls.

Menstruation

Monthly bleeding produced when the lining of the uterus breaks down and is lost through the vagina.

Oestrogen

From the ovary, build up and repair of uterine lining, stimulate the pituitary gland to release LH and inhibit FSH secretion.

Progesterone

Lining of the uterus to become thicker and to maintain it.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

An infection that is transmitted via body fluids through sexual contact.

How HIV infection damages the immune system

Attacks the immune system, invades a group of lymphocytes called T cells, the virus multiply inside T cells and destroy them.