2.3 Male Reproductive System Diagram | Quizlet

Seminiferous Tubules and Interstitial Cells of Leydig

The two functional components of the testes.

Seminiferous Tubules

Highly coiled structures in the testes where the sperm are produced.

Sertoli Cells

Cells near the seminiferous tubules that secrete nutrients for the sperm.

Interstitial Cells of Leydig

Secrete testosterone and other male sex hormones.

Scrotum

Holds the testicles outside of the body around 2-4 degrees celsius below the body's temperature.

Ductus Deferens

Muscular layer around the vas deferens that can raise and lower the testes to maintain proper temperature.

Epididymis

A long, coiled tube on the surface of the testes where the sperm gain their motility by the flagella developing.

Ejaculation

Sperm travel through the vas deferens to the ejaculatory duct and out of the penis.

Ejaculatory Duct

Located at the posterior edge of the prostate gland.

Seminal Fluid

Substance that nourishes sperm. It is made through combined effort of the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral gland.

Seminal Vesicles

Contribute fructose to the semen. Also contributes to the alkalinity of the semen.

Prostate Gland

Give the fluid mildly alkaline properties so the sperm can survive in the relatively acidic environment of the vagina.

Bulbourethral Glands

Secrete a substance to coat the lining of the urethra to neutralize the acid and lubricate the tract in preparation for ejaculation.

Semen

The name for the sperm and seminal fluid.

Spermatogenesis: Ploidy

Spermatogonia

Diploid stem (germ) cells in males.

Primary Spermatocytes

After the spermatogonia go through S phase.

Secondary Spermatocytes

Haploid cells that result from the first meiotic division of the primary spermatocytes.

Spermatids

Haploid cells that result from the secondary spermatocytes undergoing meiosis II.

Spermatozoa

After the spermatids mature.

Sperm Head

Hold the genetic material of the sperm.

Spermiogenesis

Spermatids mature to become spermatozoa, aka. sperm.

Sperm Midpiece

High numbers of mitochondria that create ATP from fructose.

Acrosome

Cap that covers the sperm head and is necessary for the sperm to enter the ovum. Develops from the Golgi apparatus.

3 million

The number of sperm produced per day.

Deeply Embedded

Spermatids are more deeply embedded in the sertoli cells because they get a lot of nutrients from them.