Reproductive Health Flashcards

Key Definitions

• Implantation: The embedding of an embryo into the nutrient-rich lining of the uterus.
• Fertilization: The joining of an egg cell and sperm cell.
• Zygote: A fertilized egg.
• Ovulation: The release of an egg from an ovary.
• Puberty: The stage where a person becomes physically able to have children.
• Semen: The mixture of sperm cells and fluids.
• Infertility: The reduced ability to have children.
• Eggs: Female sex cells.
• Sperm: Male sex cells.
• Entrance to Uterus

Chromosomes and Fetal Development

• Human cells contain 46 chromosomes, with 23 coming from each parent.
• The umbilical cord connects the fetus to the placenta, providing nutrition to the fetus.
• Fertilization normally takes place in the fallopian tubes.
• The embryo, which later becomes a fetus, develops in the uterus.
• The developing organism is called an embryo until ten weeks, after which it is called a fetus.

Pregnancy and STIs

• A full-term pregnancy normally lasts 40 weeks.
• Bacterial STIs can be treated and cured with antibiotics. Common examples include chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.
• Viral STIs cannot be cured but can be managed with antiviral drugs.
• Common viral STIs include HPV, herpes, and hepatitis. HIV is the most serious viral STI.
• Reinfection with the same STI is possible after treatment.
• Untreated STIs can lead to significant health problems and even death.

STI Prevalence and Reproductive Functions

• Approximately 50% of all new STI infections occur in people aged 15 to 24.
• All exposed partners should be treated for an STI.
• Males begin to produce sperm between the ages of 12 and 15.
• The female reproductive system has three main functions:
  • Storing eggs.
  • Providing a place for a fertilized egg to grow into a baby.
  • Giving birth.
• The male reproductive system has two main functions:
  • Making sperm.
  • Delivering sperm into the female reproductive system.

Reasons for Undiagnosed or Untreated STIs

• Lack of medical care.
• Symptoms may disappear, leading to a false sense of security.
• Fear and a lack of awareness about infection status.
• Asymptomatic infections, where no symptoms are present.

STI Prevention

• Abstinence.
• Practicing safe sex.
• Regular STI testing.

Twins

• Identical twins result from one fertilized egg splitting into two, creating two genetically identical individuals.
• Fraternal twins result from two different eggs being fertilized by two different sperm, leading to genetically different individuals.