Reproductive System Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for the reproductive system, covering key terms and definitions from the lecture notes.

Gonads (Male)

Testes: Produce sperm cells.

Gonads (Female)

Ovaries: Produce ova (oocytes, eggs).

Crossover

Exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during Prophase I of Meiosis I, producing chromosomes with genetic information from both parents.

Meiosis Products

Each cell entering meiosis can produce 4 gametes in sperm; in eggs, only 1 egg cell matures, and the others degenerate. Each sex cell has 23 chromosomes.

Meiosis products

This division ends with each sex cells having 1 set of genetic instructions, or 23 chromosomes, compared to sets (46 chromosomes) in other cells

Primary sex organs (gonads) are the 2 Testes

-produce sperm cells, or spermatozoa

-produce male sex hormones

Secondary (accessory) sex organs

-Other internal and external sex organs

-secrete male sex hormones

-Transport sperm and secretions to outside of body

Seminiferous Tubules

-Highly coiled tubules inside lobules of the testes

-lined with special stratified epithelium containing spermatogenic cells that give rise to sperm cells

Interstitial Cells (Cells of Leydig)

-Cells that lie between seminiferous tubules

-produce/secrete male sex hormones.

male internal accessory organs

-nurture and transport sperm cells

male internal accessory accessory organs

consist of epididymis, ductus deferens, ejaculatory duct, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, bulbourethral gland, urethra

Epididymis (plural is epididymides)

-Narrow, tightly coiled tubes at top of each testis

-connected to ducts in the testis

-run between testis and ductus deferens, storing sperm until maturation.

-lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium with nonmotile cilia

Ductus (Vas) Deferens

-Part of the spermatic cord

-extends from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct.

-Lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium

Seminal Vesicles (Glands)

Secrete alkaline fluid (regulates pH), fructose, and prostaglandins into the ejaculatory duct, contributing most of the semen volume.

Prostate Gland

Surrounds the proximal portion of the urethra, secretes a thin, milky, alkaline fluid to enhance sperm motility, and contributes to semen volume.

Bulbourethral Glands

Secrete mucus-like fluid into the urethra in response to sexual stimulation, lubricating the end of the penis.

Scrotum

Pouch of skin and subcutaneous tissue behind the penis that houses the testes.

Dartos Muscle

Smooth muscle in subcutaneous tissue of the scrotum that contracts and relaxes to keep testes at optimal temperature.

Medial septum divided the scrotum into 2 chambers

serous membrane, houses the testes and epididymis.

Penis

Organ that conveys urine and semen through the urethra to the outside of the body and becomes erect for vaginal insertion during intercourse.

-Body (shaft) contains 3 columns of erectile tissue

specialized functions female reproductive organs

-produce female sex cells (egg cell, or oocytes)

-Transport oocytes to site of fertilization

-provide favorable environment for developing offspring

-transport offspring to outside the body

-produce female sex hormones

primary female sex organs (gonads)

ovaries

Secondary female sex organs (accessory)

internal and external reproductive organs

Ovaries

-solid, oval structures

-Lie in the lateral wall of the pelvic cavity

Broad Ligament

Largest ligament that holds the ovary in place and is attached to the uterine tubes and uterus.

suspensory ligament

holds the ovary at the upper end

Ovarian ligament

Rounded, cord-like thickening of the broad ligament; attaches lower end of ovary to uterus

Uterine Tubes

Tubular organ (also called fallopian tubes or oviducts) that transports ovulated egg cells from the ovary to the uterus.

-layers including mucosa, muscularis, and outer covering of peritoneum

-Mucosa is lined with cilia, which aid in transport of egg down uterine tube

Peristaltic contractions

help move secondary oocyte down uterine tube

Fimbriae

Extensions of the infundibulum that lie close to the ovary and pick up ovulated egg cells.

Fertilization

occurs in uterine tube

Uterus

Hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ that receives the embryo and sustains its development.

three layers of uterine wall

Endometrium, myometrium, perimetrium

Endometrium

Innermost layer (mucosa) of the uterine wall.

Myometrium

Muscle layer of the uterine wall.

perimetrium

serosa

Vagina

-Fibromuscular tube that runs between the uterus and the outside of the body.

-conveys uterine secretions, receives the penis during intercourse, and provides a passage for childbirth.

Vaginal orifice

partially enclosed by hymen, a thin layer of connective tissue and stratified squamous epithelium.

3 layers of wall vagina

inner mucosal of stratified squamous, middle muscularis, outer fibrous layer

surround opening of urethra and vagina together is called

vulva labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibule

Emission

Movement of semen into the urethra.

Ejaculation

-Movement of semen out of the urethra,

-dependent on sympathetic nerve impulses.

sperm structure

-sperm cell is a tiny- tadpole shaped

-part of a sperm cell

Head

-contains the nucleus contains 23 chromosomes and genetic material.

Acrosome

Cap over the nucleus of a sperm cell, which contains enzymes that penetrate layers around the oocyte during fertilization.

Midpiece (body)

Contains may mitochondria, which provide ATP for swimming

Tail (flagellum)

-contains many microtubules enclosed in extension of cell membrane.

-Lashing movement propels sperm toward egg

Testosterone

Most important androgen, responsible for development of male reproductive organs and secondary sex characteristics.

prior to birth

-Development of male reproductive organs

-Descent of testes into scrotum

During puberty

-Enlargement of testes (primary sex characteristic) and accessory organs of male reproductive system

-Development of secondary sex characteristics, which continue after puberty.

Estrogens

Stimulate enlargement of accessory reproductive organs, thickening of the endometrium, and development/maintenance of female secondary sex characteristics.

Progesterone

Stimulates uterine changes during the menstrual cycle, affects mammary glands, and regulates secretion of gonadotropins.

Oogenesis

Process of maturation of an oocyte.

-Beginning at puberty, some primary oocytes continue meiosis (meiosis) to produce secondary oocytes.

The completed process results in the development of a mature ovum, ready for fertilization.

Follicle Maturation

At puberty, anterior pituitary gland secretes greater amount of FSH, and ovaries enlarge in response.

polar bodies

allow for the formation of an egg cell with large amount of cytoplasm and organelles

haploid

number of chromosomes

Ovulation

Process that releases the secondary oocyte and first polar body from a mature antral follicle, triggered by a surge of LH.

ovulation triggered by surge of LH

leads to the release of the secondary oocyte during the menstrual cycle.

fimbriae

are usually propelled to the opening of the nearby uterine tube

Menstrual Cycle

Characterized by regular, recurring changes in the endometrium of the uterus, culminating in menstrual bleeding (menses).

Menarche

First reproductive cycle.

Menopause

Stopping of the menstrual cycles for 1 year.

Corpus albicans

In the absence of fertilization, the oocyte degenerate, and then the corpus luteum also degenerates into scar tissue.

Menopause (female climacteric)

-The stopping of the menstrual cycles for 1 year

-Usually occurs in the late 40s or the early 50s

-ovaries no longer produce as much estrogens and progesterone as they did previously

Birh control

Voluntary regulation of the number of offspring produced and the time they are conceived

-There are several methods of contraception with widely varying degrees of effectivenss.

Mechanical Barriers (Birth Control)

Prevent sperm from entering the female tract during sexual intercourse (e.g., condoms).

Chemical Barriers (Birth Control)

Spermicides in creams, foams, and jellies, most effective when used with a mechanical barrier.

sterilization

-surgical procedures that permanently prevent pregnancy

-Vasectomy (male)

Tubal Ligation

Cutting and tying of the uterine tubes to prevent sperm from reaching the oocyte.

-prevents sperm from reaching oocyte and fertilizing it.