Chapter 16: Reproductive System

What are the gonads? What do they include?

They are primary reproductive organs which include the ovaries and testes

The testes are in the scrotum. The location of the testes are outside the abdominal cavity.

Why are they located outside of the body?

It provides a temperature about 3°C below normal body temperature which is necessary for the production of viable sperm

What are the parts of a mature sperm cell?

Head, midpiece, and tail

What is special about the head, what does it contain?

It contains 23 chromosomes surrounded by a nuclear membrane

Which part provides the locomotion (movement) of the sperm?

The tail

Once sperm leave the seminiferous tubules, what is their pathway to reach the outside of the body?

They pass through the epididymis, ductus deferens, ejaculatory duct, and urethra

What is the name for the movements that propel the sperm through the ductus deferens?

Peristaltic

How much semen is in a single ejaculation?

1.5 mL to 6mL

How many sperm are in a milliliter of semen?

Between 50 and 150 million sperm per mililiter of semen

What is oogenesis?

Process of meiosis in the female in which one ovum and three polar bodies are produced from one primary oocyte

What is the function of the uterine tubes (fallopian tubes)?

They extend laterally from the upper portion of the uterus to the region of the ovaries

What do the fimbriae do?

Increases their activity and creates currents in the peritoneal fluid that help propel the oocyte into the uterine tube

How long does it take for the oocyte (egg) to get through the uterine tubes?

7 days

Where does the fertilization of the ocyte take place?

In the uterine tube

What is the clitoris?

Small mass of erectile tissue

What is menarche?

First period of menstrual bleeding at puberty

Once menstrual bleeding starts, until what age does it last?

Until the late 40’s or early 50’s

What is menopause?

The cessation of the reproductive cycles

What are the mammary glands?

The organs of milk production

What does prolactin do?

Stimulates the production of milk within the glandular tissue

What does oxytocin do?

Causes the ejection of milk from the glands