Chapter 36: Reproduction and Development – Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from Chapter 36 on animal reproduction and development.

sexual reproduction

Reproduction arising from the fusion of two gametes.

zygot​e

The diploid cell produced by the union of haploid gametes during fertilization; a fertilized egg.

egg

The female gamete.

sperm

The male gamete.

asexual reproduction

Generation of offspring from a single parent without fusion of gametes; offspring are genetically identical to the parent.

parthenogenesis

A form of asexual reproduction in which females produce offspring from unfertilized eggs.

ovulation

The release of an egg from an ovary.

hermaphroditism

Condition in which one individual has both male and female gonads and produces both sperm and eggs.

fertilization

Union of haploid gametes to produce a diploid zygote.

gonad

A male or female gamete-producing organ.

cloaca

Common opening for digestive, urinary, and reproductive tracts in many non-mammalian vertebrates.

testis

Male reproductive organ (gonad) where sperm and reproductive hormones are produced.

seminiferous tubule

Highly coiled tube in the testis where sperm are produced.

scrotum

External pouch of skin that houses the testes and maintains a lower temperature for spermatogenesis.

epididymis

Coiled tubule adjacent to the testis where sperm are stored.

ejaculation

Propulsion of sperm from the epididymis through the vas deferens, ejaculatory duct, and urethra.

vas deferens

Tube through which sperm travel from the epididymis to the urethra.

ejaculatory duct

Short duct formed by convergence of the vas deferens and seminal-vesicle duct; carries sperm to the urethra.

urethra

Tube that releases urine in both sexes and serves as the exit for semen in males.

semen

Fluid ejaculated by males containing sperm and secretions from reproductive glands.

seminal vesicles

Glands that add a lubricating, nourishing fluid component to semen.

prostate gland

Male gland that secretes an acid-neutralizing component of semen.

penis

Copulatory organ of male mammals.

glans

Highly sensitive rounded head of the penis or clitoris.

ovaries

Female structures that produce gametes (eggs) and reproductive hormones.

follicle

Microscopic ovarian structure containing a developing oocyte and secreting estrogens.

oocyte

Cell in the female reproductive system that differentiates to form an egg.

oviduct (fallopian tube)

Tube that carries eggs from the ovary to the uterus.

uterus

Female organ where fertilization may occur and embryonic development takes place.

endometrium

Richly vascular inner lining of the uterus.

cervix

Neck of the uterus that opens into the vagina.

vagina

Birth canal; receives the penis and sperm during copulation.

vulva

Collective term for the female external genitalia.

labia majora

Pair of thick, fatty ridges enclosing and protecting the rest of the vulva.

labia minora

Slender skin folds surrounding the openings of the vagina and urethra.

hymen

Thin membrane partially covering the vaginal opening that can be ruptured by intercourse or vigorous activity.

clitoris

Erectile organ at the upper junction of the labia minora that engorges with blood during sexual arousal.

mammary gland

Exocrine gland that secretes milk to nourish the young; characteristic of mammals.

gametogenesis

Process by which gametes are produced.

oogenesis

Formation of female gametes in the ovary.

spermatogenesis

Continuous, prolific production of mature sperm cells in the testis.

corpus luteum

Hormone-secreting tissue that forms from the ovarian follicle after ovulation and produces progesterone.

follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Anterior pituitary tropic hormone that stimulates egg production in ovaries and sperm production in testes.

luteinizing hormone (LH)

Anterior pituitary tropic hormone that triggers ovulation in females and androgen production in males.

tropic hormone

Hormone that acts on endocrine tissues to stimulate release of other hormones.

testosterone

Principal male androgen required for development of the male reproductive system, spermatogenesis, and secondary sex characteristics.

estradiol

Principal estrogen that promotes development and maintenance of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics.

progesterone

Steroid hormone that contributes to the menstrual cycle and prepares the uterus for pregnancy.

Sertoli cell

Support cell in the seminiferous tubule that surrounds and nourishes developing sperm.

Leydig cell

Testosterone-producing cell located between seminiferous tubules in the testes.

ovarian cycle

Hormone-regulated cyclic sequence of follicular phase, ovulation, and luteal phase in the ovary.

uterine cycle

Cyclic changes in the endometrium in the absence of pregnancy; in primates, the menstrual cycle.

menstrual cycle

Periodic growth and shedding of the uterine lining in humans and some primates when pregnancy does not occur.

menstruation

Shedding of portions of the endometrium during the uterine cycle.

menopause

End of a woman’s reproductive years marked by cessation of ovulation and menstruation.

estrous cycle

Reproductive cycle in most female mammals (except humans and some primates) where the endometrium is reabsorbed and sexual activity is restricted to estrus.

cleavage

Rapid succession of cell divisions without growth during early embryonic development that converts the zygote to a ball of cells.

blastula

Hollow ball of cells marking the end of the cleavage stage.

blastocoel

Fluid-filled cavity inside a blastula.

conception

Fertilization of an egg by a sperm in humans.

gestation

Pregnancy; carrying one or more embryos in the uterus.

morphogenesis

Development of the form and structures of an organism.

gastrulation

Cell and tissue movements that transform the blastula into a three-layered gastrula.

gastrula

Embryo with three germ layers—ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm.

ectoderm

Outer germ layer that forms outer covering, nervous system, inner ear, and lens of the eye.

endoderm

Inner germ layer that lines the archenteron and forms liver, pancreas, lungs, and digestive-tract lining.

mesoderm

Middle germ layer that forms notochord, coelom lining, muscles, skeleton, gonads, kidneys, and most of the circulatory system.

organogenesis

Formation of organ rudiments from the three germ layers after gastrulation.

placenta

Structure formed from uterine lining and embryonic membranes that nourishes a fetus with the mother’s blood supply.

fetus

Developing mammal that has all major adult structures; in humans, from the 9th week of gestation until birth.

contraception

Deliberate prevention of pregnancy.

in vitro fertilization (IVF)

Fertilization of oocytes in laboratory dishes followed by artificial implantation of the early embryo into the uterus.