Crash Course :Reproductive System part 1

Gonads

Primary reproductive organs (testes/ovaries); produce gametes and sex hormones.

Gametes

Haploid sex cells; sperm in males, eggs (ova) in females.

Testes

Male gonads; produce sperm and testosterone; located in scrotum

Ovaries

Female gonads; produce eggs (ova) and estrogen/progesterone.

Epididymis

Coiled tube on testis where sperm mature and are stored.

Vas Deferens

Muscular tube that transports sperm from epididymis to urethra during ejaculation.

Semen

Fluid containing sperm and secretions from accessory glands (seminal vesicles, prostate, bulbourethral).

Uterine (Fallopian) Tubes

Ducts that transport eggs from ovaries to uterus; usual site of fertilization.

Uterus

Muscular female organ where a fertilized egg implants and a fetus develops.

Endometrium

The inner, glandular lining of the uterus; thickens and sheds during menstrual cycle.

Sex Chromosomes

The X and Y chromosomes that determine genetic sex (XX = female, XY = male).

SRY Gene

Gene on the Y chromosome that codes for testis-determining factor, initiating male development.

Primary Sex Characteristics

The reproductive organs (gonads, ducts, genitalia) present at birth

Secondary Sex Characteristics

Non-reproductive traits that appear at puberty (e.g., body hair, voice pitch, breast development).

Spermatogenesis

Process of sperm production in seminiferous tubules of testes; produces 4 sperm per parent cell.

Oogenesis

Process of egg production in ovarian follicles; produces 1 egg and polar bodies per parent cell.

Seminiferous Tubules

Coiled tubes within testes where spermatogenesis occurs.

Follicle

Structure in ovary containing an immature egg (oocyte).

Testosterone

Primary male sex hormone; promotes sperm production and male secondary sex characteristics.

Estrogen

Primary female sex hormone; promotes female secondary sex characteristics and regulates menstrual cycle