Reproduction and Development Lecture Review

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the fundamental concepts of reproduction, including asexual and sexual methods, human reproductive anatomy, the menstrual cycle, development, and contraceptive techniques as detailed in the lecture transcript.

Reproduction

The process by which a living organism give birth/rise to the young one of the same kind.

Asexual Reproduction

A type of reproduction which requires only one parent and involves the production of an offspring from body parts other than reproductive organs, resulting in offspring exactly like the parent.

Binary fission

A type of asexual reproduction where two individuals are formed from a single parent, found in organisms like bacteria, yeast, and Amoeba.

Budding

A type of reproduction where a bulb-like projection or outgrowth known as a bud arises from the parent body, detaches, and forms a new organism, such as in Hydra or Yeasts.

Regeneration or Fragmentation

A type of reproduction where the body of an individual breaks up into two or more parts and each part develops into a complete individual, as seen in Planaria.

Spore formation

A process in lower forms of life like algae (Chlamydomonas) and fungi where the protoplast of the cell divides to form $4-8$ spores.

Zoospores

Motile spores formed during asexual reproduction that develop into new plants when released.

Sexual reproduction

The formation of a new individual through the fusion of male and female gametes (egg and sperm) to form a zygote.

Spermatogenesis

The process of formation of sperms in the testis of an organism.

Seminiferious tubules

Coiled tubes within each testis that are actually responsible for the production of sperms.

Epididymis

The organ where sperms are released from the testes and stored until mating.

Urethra (Male)

In human males, a common passage for both sperms and urine that passes through the penis.

Ejaculation

The process of discharging semen during copulation, where about $200,000,000$ ($2 \times 10^{8}$) sperms are discharged.

Oogenesis

The process of formation of the egg in the ovary.

Oviducts

Also known as fallopian tubes, these funnel-shaped tubes collect eggs released by the ovary and open into the uterus.

Uterus

A pear-shaped, muscular, thick-walled organ where the lower end opens into the vagina.

Vagina

The organ where the penis is inserted during coitus for the discharge of semen and which serves as the birth canal during childbirth.

Puberty

The age when reproductive organs become functional, typically $13-14$ years in males and $12-13$ years in females.

Fertility period

The period of life during which a female has the capacity to produce young ones, extending from puberty to menopause (about $45-50$ years).

Menstrual cycle

A regular monthly sequence of events in the female reproductive system that occurs between puberty and menopause.

Graafian follicle

A mass of cells surrounding an ovum that matures between the 5th and 13th day of the menstrual cycle and produces oestrogen.

Ovulation

The release of the ovum from the ovary following the rupture of the graafian follicle, occurring $12-13$ days after the onset of menstruation.

Corpus luteum

The structure formed from the cells of the ruptured follicle that secretes the hormone progesterone.

Morula

A mass of cells formed by the immediate division of the zygote after fertilization.

Implantation

The process where the morula passes down to the uterus and fixes itself to the uterine wall.

Placenta

A tissue that attaches the foetus to the uterus, supplying oxygen and nourishment from maternal blood and producing progesterone and oestrogen.

Amnion

A sac enclosing the embryo filled with amniotic fluid which acts as a shock-absorber.

In-vitro fertilization (IVF)

Fertilization of an egg by a sperm outside the body of the female, often referred to as the test tube baby technique.

Identical twins

Twins produced from the same egg when a fertilized egg divides into two independent sets of cells.

Fraternal twins

Non-identical twins produced when two different eggs are produced at the same time and each is fertilized by a different sperm.

Rhythm method

A natural method of contraception where copulation is avoided on days when the ovum is available for fertilization.

Intra uterine device (IUD)

A plastic or stainless steel loop inserted in the uterus that releases secretions to prevent the implantation of an embryo.

Spermicides

Strong sperm-killing creams or jellies applied in the vagina before copulation to prevent fertilization.

Oral Contraceptives

Pills taken daily by females to prevent ovulation while allowing regular monthly shedding of the uterine lining.