U9: Reprodutive Written Questions

What is feedback in the menstrual cycle?

Negative feedback: estrogen lowers FSH early; progesterone lowers FSH/LH after ovulation.
Positive feedback: high estrogen increases LH → causes ovulation.

What is 3 functions of the male and female reproductive system? One similarity?

Male:

• Produces sperm — through spermatogenesis in the testes.

• Produces testosterone

• Stores, transports, and delivers sperm

Female:

• Produces ova (eggs) — through oogenesis in the ovaries.

• Produces estrogen and progesterone

• Supports fertilization, pregnancy, and fetal development

Similarities

• Both produce sex hormones

Q: Explain the relationship between FSH, LH, estrogen, and progesterone during the ovarian cycle.

FSH stimulates follicle growth and estrogen production

LH causes ovulation and formation of the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone

What happens to oocytes at puberty and what hormone is involved

At puberty, FSH stimulates primary oocytes to resume meiosis, and typically one matures and is released each menstrual cycle.

When are egg cells produced and how many mature?

All primary oocytes are produced before birth; only about 400–500 will mature and be ovulated during a female's lifetime

What are FSH and LH?

FSH and LH are hormones from the pituitary gland that control reproduction.

FSH = grows egg follicles (and sperm in males).

LH = triggers ovulation in females and testosterone production in males.

What causes ovulation?

FSH grows follicle → follicle releases estrogen → high estrogen causes LH surge → LH surge causes ovulation.

What happens if fertilization does NOT occur?

No fertilization → corpus luteum breaks down → progesterone drops → uterine lining breaks down → menstruation starts → FSH rises again

What happens if fertilization DOES occur? (What is hCG?)

hCG = hormone from embryo that keeps corpus luteum alive. Corpus luteum stays → progesterone stays high → uterine lining stays → no menstruation → no ovulation.

Explain the menstrual cycle (FSH, LH, estrogen, progesterone).

FSH (pituitary) starts follicle growth in ovary → follicle releases estrogen → estrogen builds uterine lining → high estrogen triggers LH surge → LH causes ovulation → corpus luteum forms and releases progesterone → progesterone maintains lining → drop in progesterone = menstruation.

What is the difference between FSH and LH?

FSH: grows follicles + estrogen production.
LH: causes ovulation + forms corpus luteum + progesterone.

How do FSH and LH work in males vs females?

Males: FSH = sperm production, LH = testosterone.
Females: FSH = egg development, LH = ovulation.

Explain how hormones regulate the menstrual cycle.

FSH and LH control egg development and ovulation. Estrogen builds the uterine lining, and progesterone maintains it. If no fertilization occurs, hormone levels drop and menstruation happens.

Describe fertilization and where it occurs.

Fertilization is when sperm and egg join to form a zygote. It usually occurs in the fallopian tube.

Describe the process of spermatogenesis, and oogenesis. Compare them.

• Spermatogenesis is the production of sperm in the testes through meiosis, producing haploid sperm cells

• Oogenesis is the production of eggs in the ovaries through meiosis, producing one mature egg cell per cycle.

• Spermatogenesis produces millions of sperm continuously after puberty.
  Oogenesis produces one functional egg per cycle, and is cyclical and limited