Biology 30 - Unit 3 Booklet 1: Reproduction (Terms)

Fertilization

Fusion of male and female sex cells to produce a zygote

Zygote

A fused cell that divides many times to form an embryo, then a fetus

Scrotum

Sac containing testes that regulates the temperature of the testes

Testes

Organ containing the seminiferous tubes and intersitial cells that is the location of sperm and testosterone production

Seminiferous Tubules

Sperm-producing organ resembling tightly coiled tubes containing sertoli cells that nourish sperm

Interstitial Cells

Cells found in the testes scattered between seminiferous tubules that are the source of testosterone

Sperm Cell

A streamlined gamete cell designed to “swim”

Acrosome

Cap head of sperm cell that dissolves the outer couating surrounding the egg, allowing the sperm cell to penetrate the egg

Flagellum

The tail of the sperm cell that propels it

Spermatogenesis

The formation of specialized sperm cells occuring in the testes

Spermatogonia

Diploid stem cells found on the walls of the seminiferous tubules that are the precursors of sperm

Spermatocytes

Cells formed from spermatogonia that undergo meiosis to become spermatids

Spermatids

Haploid cells formed from the meiotic divison of spermatocytes that will differentiate to become sperm

Epididymis

Long coiled tubes posterior to the testes that store sperm and are the site of further sperm maturation

Vas Deferens/Vasa Ductus Deferentia

Tube that carries sperm from the testes to the urethra

Ejaculatory Duct

Propels sperm and fluids (semen) into the urethra

Seminal Vesicle

A structure below and behind the bladder that secretes thick, clear fluid into the ejaculatory duct

Prostate Gland

A gland surrounding the urethra that secretes a thin milky fluid into the urethra

Cowper’s/Bulbourethral Gland

A pair of small glands along the urethra below the prostate that secrete viscous fluid before emission of sperm and semen

Penis

3 cylinders of spongy tissue capable of erecting during sexual arousal and ejaculating seminal fluid

Testosterone

A hormone synthesized and released by the interstitial cells targeting the general body that stimulates spermatogenesis and plays a large role in male puberty

GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone)

A hormone synthesized and released by the hypothalamus targeting pituitary gland that stimulates the release of FSH and LH

FSH (Follicule Stimulating Hormone)

A hormone released by the anterior pituitary targeting the ovaries and testes that stimulates the growth of the ovarian follicle in biosex females and spermatogenesis in biosex males

LH (Lutenizing Hormone)

A hormone released by the anterior pituitary targeting the ovaries and testes that stimulates ovulation and development of the corpus lutem in biosex females and the production of testosterone in biosex males

Ovaries

An organ that lies in the abdomen that produces follicles (egg cells) and female sex hormones progesterone and estrogen

Follicle

The structure in which an oocyte matures, containing the oocyte and other supporting cells that nourish it

Oogenesis

The formation of female sex follicles occuring in the ovaries

Oogonia

Diploid stem cells found in the ovaries that are the precursors of ova formed before birth

Oocyte

Immature egg cells formed from oogonia that undergo meiosis to become ova

Polar Body

Non-functional byproducts of meiosis formed from an unequal distribution of cytoplasm through meiosis of the oocyte

Ovum

Mature egg cells formed from completed meiosis of a secondary oocyte that form after fertilization

Corpus Luteum

A structure transformed from remaining cells of a ruptured follicle that secrete hormones estrogen and progesterone that are essential for pregnancy

Fallopian Tube/Oviduct

The tube where fertilization occurs that connects the uterus and the ovaries

Fimbria

Finger-like projections that vibrate and sweep the egg into the fallopian tubes

Uterus/Womb

The structure that houses and nurtures a developing fetus

Endometrium

The lining of the uterus richly supplied with blood vessels that varies in thickness depending on the stage of the menstrual cycle

Cervix

A muscular band that separates the vagina from the uterus and holds the fetus in place

Vagina

Elastic and acidic birth canal

Estrogen

A hormone synthesized and released by the ovarian follicle and corpus luteum targeting the endometrium and general body that stimulates the thickening of the endometrium as well as the growth of secondary sex characteristics in females

Progesterone

A hormone synthesized and released by the corpus luteum targeting the endometrium that matures and maintains the endometrium

Menopause

The end of a woman’s reproductive years occurring between the ages of 45 to 55 in which the ovaries no longer respond to FSH and LH and thus do not produce estrogen or progesterone