Male and Female Reproductive Systems FINAL

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering the male and female reproductive systems, including structures, functions, processes, and key concepts.

What are the main functions of the male reproductive system?

Produce sperm, deliver sperm, and produce testosterone.

What is a gamete?

A sex cell with 23 chromosomes.

What is fertilization?

Fusion of sperm and egg to form a zygote.

What do the testes produce?

Sperm and testosterone.

What is the function of the scrotum?

Regulates temperature of testes.

What does the cremaster muscle do?

Raises/lowers testes for temperature control.

What is the tunica albuginea?

Fibrous covering of the testes.

Where are sperm produced?

Seminiferous tubules.

What do Sertoli cells do?

Support and nourish developing sperm.

What do Leydig cells produce?

Testosterone.

What is spermatogenesis?

Production of sperm cells.

What are the stages of sperm development?

Spermatogonia → spermatocytes → spermatids → spermatozoa.

What is meiosis?

Division that produces haploid cells.

How many sperm are produced from one spermatogonium?

Four.

What are the 3 parts of sperm?

Head, midpiece, tail.

What is in the sperm head?

Nucleus and acrosome.

What is the function of the acrosome?

Helps sperm penetrate egg.

What does the midpiece contain?

Mitochondria for energy.

What does the tail do?

Movement.

What is the sperm pathway?

Seminiferous tubules → rete testis → epididymis → vas deferens → ejaculatory duct → urethra.

What happens in the epididymis?

Sperm mature and gain motility.

What do seminal vesicles produce?

Fructose-rich fluid.

What does the prostate gland produce?

Milky fluid that activates sperm.

What do bulbourethral glands do?

Lubricate and neutralize urethra.

What are the erectile tissues?

2 corpora cavernosa + 1 corpus spongiosum.

What causes erection?

Increased blood flow.

What causes ejaculation?

Sympathetic nervous system.

What are the main female reproductive organs?

Ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina.

What do ovaries produce?

Eggs, estrogen, progesterone.

Where does fertilization occur?

Uterine tubes.

What is the function of the uterus?

Supports pregnancy.

What are the 3 uterine layers?

Endometrium, myometrium, perimetrium.

Which layer sheds during menstruation?

Endometrium.

What is the function of the vagina?

Receives sperm, menstrual flow, birth canal.

What is the fornix?

Space around cervix.

What is the hymen?

Thin membrane at vaginal opening.

What is the vulva?

External genitalia.

What are labia majora?

Outer folds.

What are labia minora?

Inner folds.

What is the clitoris?

Erectile tissue.

What is oogenesis?

Production of eggs.

When does oogenesis begin?

Before birth.

How many eggs are produced per cycle?

One.

What are polar bodies?

Cells that discard extra chromosomes.

What is a primordial follicle?

Earliest follicle.

What is a primary follicle?

Developing follicle.

What do granulosa cells do?

Support oocyte and produce estrogen.

What is a secondary follicle?

Larger follicle.

What is a Graafian follicle?

Advanced follicle.

What is a mature Graafian follicle?

Ready to ovulate.

What is ovulation?

Release of egg.

What triggers ovulation?

LH surge.

What is the corpus luteum?

Produces progesterone.

What are the phases of the ovarian cycle?

Follicular, ovulation, luteal.

What happens in the follicular phase?

Follicles develop.

What happens in the ovulation phase?

Egg released.

What happens in the luteal phase?

Progesterone increases.

What controls the uterine cycle?

Estrogen and progesterone.

What is the menstrual phase?

Shedding of endometrium.

How long is menstruation?

3–7 days.

What is proliferative phase?

Lining rebuilds.

What hormone dominates proliferative phase?

Estrogen.

What is secretory phase?

Lining thickens.

What hormone dominates secretory phase?

Progesterone.

What happens if no implantation?

Hormones drop → menstruation.

What is implantation?

Embryo attaches to uterus.

What is menopause?

End of reproductive cycles.

What happens during menopause?

Estrogen decreases.

What do mammary glands do?

Produce milk.

What are lactiferous ducts?

Carry milk to nipple.