A&P II: Chapter 27 Male Reproductive System

This set of flashcards is designed to help students review and understand critical concepts related to the male reproductive system, as outlined in A&P II Chapter 27.

What are gametes in sexual reproduction?

Gametes are sex cells produced by each parent, with males contributing sperm and females contributing eggs.

What is the chromosome contribution of male and female gametes?

Both contribute 23 chromosomes; males contribute haploid sperm and females contribute haploid eggs.

What is a zygote?

A zygote is a fertilized egg formed by the combination of two gametes, containing a unique combination of both parents’ genes.

What determines the sex of offspring in humans?

The 23rd chromosome pair, which is XX for females and XY for males.

What are primary sex organs?

Primary sex organs, or gonads, are the testes in males and ovaries in females, responsible for producing sperm or eggs.

What are secondary sex organs?

Secondary sex organs are the organs other than gonads necessary for reproduction, including systems of ducts and glands.

What is the main goal of the male reproductive system?

The main goals are the production and transport of sperm.

What temperature do sperm prefer?

Sperm prefer a temperature of around 35 degrees Celsius.

What is the role of the spermatic cord?

The spermatic cord connects the testes to the internal pelvic region and contains ducts, blood vessels, and nerves.

What muscles are involved in temperature regulation of the testes?

The cremaster muscle and dartos muscle help regulate temperature by contracting in cold temperatures.

What is the function of the pampiniform plexus?

The pampiniform plexus is a network of veins that cools arterial blood entering the testes.

What is the structure of the testes?

The testes consist of a serous membrane (tunica vaginalis) and a deep layer (tunica albuginea) forming lobules.

What are seminiferous tubules?

Seminiferous tubules are where sperm production occurs, lined with germinal epithelium.

What role do nurse cells play in sperm production?

Nurse cells support germ cells, provide nutrients, remove waste, and secrete inhibin and androgen-binding protein.

What are interstitial endocrine cells?

They are located between tubules in the testes and secrete testosterone.

What is the pathway for sperm to exit the body?

The pathway is seminiferous tubules > rete testis > efferent ductules > epididymis > ductus deferens > ejaculatory duct > urethra.

What is the role of seminal vesicles?

Seminal vesicles contribute secretions to semen and empty into the ejaculatory duct.

What is the function of the prostate gland?

The prostate surrounds the urethra and contributes secretions to semen, emptying into the prostatic urethra.

What do bulbourethral glands secrete?

Bulbourethral glands secrete alkaline fluid to protect sperm by neutralizing acidity in the urethra.

What is a vasectomy?

A vasectomy is a surgical procedure where a portion of the ductus deferens is removed, preventing sperm transport.

How does the penis function sexually?

The penis contains erectile tissues that engorge with blood during arousal, leading to erection.

What are the erectile tissues of the penis?

The erectile tissues include the corpus spongiosum and two corpus cavernosa.

What is the function of the dorsal artery?

The dorsal artery supplies blood to the skin, fascia, and corpus spongiosum of the penis.

What is the significance of the deep artery?

The deep artery dilates to increase blood flow to the erectile tissues during sexual arousal.

What is the role of the internal pudendal nerve?

The internal pudendal nerve carries impulses that regulate blood flow and sexual response.

What happens during the excitement phase of male sexual response?

The deep artery dilates, increasing blood flow to erectile tissues for erection.

What occurs during emission/expulsion of semen?

The ductus deferens contracts, moving sperm into the urethra; glands secrete semen components.

What occurs during resolution in the male sexual response?

Blood flow decreases, leading to penis detumescence.

What is the role of GnRH in male reproductive hormone regulation?

GnRH stimulates the anterior pituitary to secrete LH and FSH.

What does luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulate?

LH stimulates interstitial cells in the testes to produce testosterone.

What does follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) do?

FSH stimulates nurse cells to secrete androgen-binding protein, supporting spermatogenesis.

What is inhibin?

Inhibin is secreted by nurse cells and suppresses FSH secretion to regulate sperm production.

What is the negative feedback mechanism in male reproduction?

Testosterone and inhibin reduce the secretion of GnRH and FSH to regulate sperm production.

How does sperm travel through the male reproductive system?

Sperm travels from the seminiferous tubules through a series of ducts to exit the body.

What is the structure of mature sperm?

Mature sperm have a head containing a nucleus and acrosome and a tail for motility.

What is the role of the acrosome in sperm?

The acrosome contains enzymes required for sperm to penetrate the egg during fertilization.

What are the components of semen?

Semen is composed of 10% sperm, 30% prostatic fluid, and 60% seminal vesicle fluid.

What is the importance of alkaline pH in semen?

Semen has a slightly alkaline pH to neutralize acidity in the male urethra and female reproductive tract.

What nutrients do sperm require?

Sperm require nutrients to produce ATP for motility during their journey in the female reproductive tract.

At what stage does spermatogenesis begin?

Spermatogenesis begins at puberty with increased testosterone levels.

How many sperm are produced daily in young males?

Young males produce approximately 400 million sperm per day.

What is the role of spermatogonia?

Spermatogonia are the stem cells that develop into sperm and undergo mitotic division.

What is meiosis in spermatogenesis?

Meiosis involves two divisions producing four haploid gametes from one diploid cell.

What are the major events of spermatogenesis?

Spermatogenesis involves several cell divisions and developmental changes to form mature sperm.

How does testosterone affect male reproductive function?

Testosterone promotes the development of male sex characteristics, sex drive, and spermatogenesis.

What is the role of androgen-binding protein (ABP)?

ABP binds testosterone in the seminiferous tubules to stimulate spermatogenesis.

Describe the effect of inhibin on FSH production.

Inhibin reduces FSH secretion, thus regulating sperm production without affecting LH and testosterone.

What structure supports the seminiferous tubules in the testes?

The tunica albuginea forms lobules that support the seminiferous tubules.

How do sperm leave the epididymis?

Sperm leave through the ductus deferens during ejaculation.

What is the ejaculatory duct formed from?

The ejaculatory duct is formed from the union of ductus deferens and seminal vesicle.

What do seminal vesicles secrete?

Seminal vesicles secrete fluids that nourish sperm and help form semen.

What is detumescence?

Detumescence is the process where the penis becomes flaccid after ejaculation.

What is spermiogenesis?

Spermiogenesis is the process where spermatids mature into spermatozoa.

What is the function of the cremaster muscle?

The cremaster muscle helps regulate the temperature of the testes.

What is the primary function of the scrotum?

The scrotum houses the testes and maintains a lower temperature for sperm production.

What occurs during ejaculation?

Semen is expelled from the urethra due to muscular contractions.

How does testosterone influence the libido?

Testosterone stimulates sexual desire in males.

What is the primary function of the prostate gland?

The prostate gland aids in forming a portion of semen.

What cellular process occurs in the seminiferous tubules?

Spermatogenesis occurs in the seminiferous tubules.

Describe the pathway of sperm transport.

Sperm moves from seminiferous tubules to urethra via various ducts.

What structure protects sperm in the urethra?

The bulbourethral glands secrete fluid that protects sperm in the urethra.

What stimulates the release of GnRH?

The hypothalamus produces GnRH in response to various physiological signals.

How does spermdynamics relate to the function of the penis?

Spermdynamics refers to the ability of sperm to move and the penis supports this through erection.

What is the main supply of blood to the penis?

The internal pudendal artery is the main supply of blood to the penis.

What happens during the excitement phase?

Blood flow increases to the penis, leading to erection.

How does the body respond sexually?

Nerve signals lead to increased blood flow, tissue engorgement, and contraction of muscular tissues.