Reproductive System - A&P II

seminal vesicle

paired exocrine glands that empty into each vas deferens and contribute a variety of compounds to semen

Why is semen alkaline?

to neutralize the pH so semen can survive in the acidic female reproductive system

Why does semen contain fructose?

energy source for sperm cells

What is an ectopic pregnancy? Why is it a problem?

when a fertilized egg implants in the fallopian tubes and an embryo starts to grow; generally results in miscarriage

How are sperm aided to the egg after sex?

flagella on the sperm and peristalsis of the female reproductive system

What role does the cervix play in facilitating pregnancy?

dilates slightly during ovulation to allow sperm to enter while still preventing harmful substances like bacteria from entering. closes when not ovulating and secretes mucus to protect the uterus.

What controls the rate of milk production in mammary glands?

prolactin and baby suckling

Why do males produce so many sperm while women only produce 1 egg per month?

to maximize the chances of one sperm making its way to the egg and effectively fertilizing it

What effect does progesterone have on the uterus?

thickens the uterine lining and creates a good environment for a fertilized egg to implant

What are the symptoms of prostatitis/prostate cancer? What is the reason for these symptoms?

primarily frequent, painful urination due to the prostate squeezing on the bladder and urethra

What are pap smears and why are they performed?

collects cells from the cervix to test for cancer

Why are male gonads kept outside the body?

temperature control

What cellular process allows the baby to grow?

mitosis

progeny

offspring

when an organism clones itself to produce more offspring; no need to exchange gametes

asexual reproduction

what are the advantages of asexual reproduction

fast, efficient, lots of offspring

what are the disadvantages of asexual reproduction

lack of diversity, vulnerable to disease or environmental changes

what are the advantages of sexual reproduction

genetic diversity, adaptability

what are the disadvantages of sexual reproduction

takes more time and energy

the only system whose anatomy is meant to compliment that of the opposite gender

reproductive system

true or false: the reproductive system is the only system that is broadly different between genders

true

largely external

male reproductive system

largely internal

female reproductive system

to produce, maintain, and deliver gametes to the uterus where they can combine for fertilization

function of reproductive system

male gamete

sperm

female gamete

egg

male gonads

testes

female gonads

ovaries

male copulatory organ

penis

female copulatory organ

vagina

female accessory organs

mammary glands

what factors contribute to the anatomical expression of sexual phenotypes at birth

chromosomal and hormonal factors

what chromosomes can male contribute

X or Y

what chromosomes can females contribute

X

what is the probability that two people will produce a male child

50%

Y-Chromosome has the….which causes the undifferentiated gonads to turn into testes when expressed

SRY gene

what happens if the SRY gene is not expressed in the fetus

the fetus will develop as a female

produce sperm via meiosis and secrete testosterone

testes

testes are protected by the…

scrotum

regulates the tension and therefore temperature of the scrotum

cremaster muscle

why is the cremaster muscle important

sperm works at an optimal temperature of 90-92 degrees Fahrenheit; this muscle works to maintain that temperature; it contracts when it’s cold outside to warm up the testes, and relaxes when it’s hot outside to cool down the testes

sperm producing cells

spermatogenic cells

where are the spermatogenic cells produced

seminiferous tubules in the testes

once produced, sperm migrate to the ______ where they are stored until ejaculation

epididymis

contains nerves, blood vessels, and efferent ducts that serve the cells of the testes

spermatic cord

what is the purpose of the venous plexus in the spermatic cords

cools down arterial blood supplying the testes

during ejaculation, sperm are released from the epididymis via the…

vas deferens

the vas deferens is cut during a…

vasectomy

the vas deferens empties into the ___ to give passage to sperm

urethra

is a vasectomy reversable

yes

gland in which the vas deferens and urethra combine

prostate

the prostate adds __ to semen prior to ejaculation via the seminal vesicles

alkaline fluid

one of the most common cancers in older men

prostate cancer

what compounds do the seminal vesicles add to semen

vitamin C, fructose, and proteins

what purpose does vitamin C serve in semen

acts as a pH buffer

what purpose does protein serve in the semen

adds viscosity, or stickiness, to semen to prevent it from leaving the female reproductive system via gravitational pull

the penis is composed mainly of ___ that fills with blood to produce an erection during sex

spongy tissue

relax during sexual stimulation, allowing blood to expand arterioles and erectile tissue

parasympathetic nerves

what is the part of the penis that swells with blood during erection

corpora cavernosa

a mixture of sperm and accessory gland secretions

semen

sperm stimulates ____ in the female reproductive system

reverse peristalsis

why is semen immunosuppressive

the female reproductive system would otherwise recognize semen as foreign and attack it

ejaculation is a…

spinal reflex

why does the bladder sphincter contract during ejaculation

to prevent urination

what propels semen out during ejaculation

accessory glands and ducts and the penis muscles contract

end product of meiosis

spermatogenesis

four cells produced from one cell splitting, contains half the genetic information (1n)

meiosis

two cells produced from one cell splitting, contains all the genetic information (2n)

mitosis

describe spermatogenesis

spermatocytes produce spermatids via meiosis, flagella are produced, sperm are “streamlined” or simplified by removing unnecessary components (cytoplasm)

how much sperm is produced daily

up to 200 million

used for copulation and supports the growth and development of a baby for 9 months

function of female reproductive system

internal female reproductive system

ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, cervix, vagina

paired organs that flank either side of the uterus, produce one egg per month

ovaries

ovaries regulate the ___ via hormone release

menstrual cycle

what hormones do ovaries release

progesterone, estrogen, LH, FSH

egg cells

oocytes

describe oocyte development

oocytes are formed in the ovarian cortex, follicles mature (eggs ripen), eventually one follicle ejects its oocyte, leaving behind a corpus luteum, which produces hormones

eggs are released into the peritoneal cavity

ovulation

the ___ of the fallopian tubes collect the newly released egg during ovulation

ampullae

where does fertilization most often occur

in the fallopian tubes

what component of the fallopian tubes help sweep the egg into it

ciliated fimbriae

transport eggs from the ovary to the uterus via ciliated cells and peristalsis

fallopian tubes

major cause of female sterility, scarring of reproductive organs, and peritonitis

pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

anterior to rectum and posterior to bladder, about the size of a pear

uterus

rounded, superior region of the uterus

fundus

the inferior opening to the uterus that connects to the vagina

cervix

outermost layer of the uterus

perimetrium

how many layers of the uterus (list them)

three: perimetrium, myometrium, endometrium

muscular layer of the uterus (smooth muscle)

myometrium

internal epithelial layer of the uterus that is sloughed off during menstruation and accepts the fertilized egg

endometrium

the cervix secretes viscous mucus which…

serves as a barrier to pathogens and sperm (when not ovulating)

what does HPV stand for

human papilloma virus

at least four of the HPV subtypes are known to be associated with…

cervical cancer

how can women protect themselves against HPV and cervical cancer

Gardasil vaccination and regular visits to OB-GYN if sexually active

3-4 inches long, very thing, flexible tissue

vagina

how many layers of the vagina (list them)

three: elastic outer layer, smooth muscle (muscularis), inner mucosal layer

what purpose does the smooth muscle layer of the vagina serve

grips the penis to stimulate ejaculation

why is the vagina acidic

glycogen release (keeps the vagina healthy)

forms incomplete partition over vaginal orifice (in virgins)

hymen

skin folds that flank and protect the vaginal opening

labia