Chapter 27 : The male reproductive system

What are the main functions of the male reproductive system?

To produce sperm, introduce sperm into the female body, and produce steroid hormones.

What are the primary and secondary sex organs in the male reproductive system?

Primary sex organ is the testes; secondary sex organs include the penis, scrotum, vas deferens, prostate gland, bulbourethral glands, and seminal vesicles.

Where are sperm produced within the testes?

Sperm are produced inside coiled tubules called the seminiferous tubules.

What role do nurse cells play in the male reproductive system?

They support germ cells, produce androgen-binding protein, and secretes inhibin.

What is testosterone produced by in the testes?

Testosterone is produced by the interstitial cells, also known as Leydig cells.

What is the process of sperm formation called?

Spermatogenesis.

What are spermatogonia?

Diploid cells that give rise to spermatids through meiosis.

What must spermatids undergo to become mature sperm?

They must transform into sperm, growing a flagellum and discarding most of their cytoplasm.

Where do immature sperm move after being formed?

They move to the epididymis.

What is the function of the epididymis?

It is the site of sperm maturation and storage.

What do the accessory glands of the male reproductive system secrete?

They secrete materials that comprise semen.

What are the two main functions of semen?

To provide nutrients for the sperm and to buffer the acidic pH of the female reproductive tract.

What hormone increases during puberty to stimulate the release of LH and FSH?

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).

What effect does LH have in the male reproductive system?

It stimulates interstitial cells to produce testosterone.

What does FSH stimulate in the male reproductive system?

It stimulates nurse cells to secrete androgen-binding protein and inhibin.

How does testosterone affect FSH and GnRH release?

Testosterone inhibits the release of GnRH and FSH, creating a negative feedback loop.