rep

REPRODUCTION


DIPLOID- autosomal cells, 2n: have 2 copies of each chromosome

GERM- cells that are haploid (n), only 1 copy of each chromosome


THE CELL CYCLE

CONTROLS OF THE CELL CYCLE:

  1. Cell cycle controlled by cyclins and cyclin dependent kinases(CDK) 

  • CDKs must have the right cyclins in order to be activated 

  • When activated the CDKs are active during the cell cycle and increase/ decrease at certain stages

  • The cyclins bind to the CDK: CDK-cyclin complex which can phosphorylate transcription factors

  • Transcription factors promote transcription of genes required for the next stage in the cell cycle

  1. P53 protein also serves as a checkpoint at the G1/S and S/G2 phase to make sure there are no defects in the replicated DNA


WHEN CELL CYCLE DAMAGED:

Cancer occur because damaged cells are allowed to undergo MITOSIS

  • Common mutation is when p53 gene(TP53) is mutated which allows mutated genes to continue through cell cycle without quality control

  • Tumors result and metastasis



ACTUAL STAGES:

Interphase: G1,S and G2

  • Longest part that works to divide cells 90% of the time i

  • Cells that don't divide spend their entire life in G0 stage- simply living and carrying out functions without any preparation for division

  • During interphase: individual chromosomes not visible because they are instead in a less condensed form called chromatin

- in a chromatin form because DNA must be available tp RNA polymerase so that genes can be transcribes


G1:Pre Synthetic cap (‘growing’)

Cells create organelles for energy and protein(enzyme) production while also increasing their size.

To get into the S stage: there is a restriction point, which checks for any damaged DNA

** p53 protein plays a key role in quality control.


S stage: synthesis of DNA

Cell replicated DNA using the enzymes made in G1 so each daughter has identical copies 

  • Now each chromosome has identical chromatids bound at the centromere

Ploidy remains the same (2N), but the amount of DNA has doubled.

  • Now cells entering G2 have 2x as much DNA as cells in G1

p53 protein also serves as a checkpoint 


G2: Postsynthetic Gap (more growing) 

Grows even more

Anther checkpoint to make sure that 

  1. there are enough organelles and cytoplasm for 2 daughter cells

  2. DNA replication was done correctly


M stage: MITOSIS

2 identical daughter cells created from a single cell in somatic tissue

4 phases:(PMAT + cytokinesis)

  1. Prophase

  • Chromatin condenses into chromosomes.

  • Nuclear membrane dissolves.

  • Centrioles migrate to opposite poles and form the mitotic spindle.

  • Kinetochores( protein structures that attach chromosomes to spindle fibers) appear at the centromere.


  1. Metaphase

  • Chromosomes align at the metaphase plate (equatorial plane).

  • Spindle fibers attach to kinetochores.

  1. Anaphase

  • Sister chromatids separate and are pulled toward opposite poles by spindle fibers.

  1. Telophase

  • Nuclear membranes reform, chromosomes decondense back into chromatin.

  • Spindle apparatus dissolves.

  1. Cytokinesis

  • Cytoplasm and organelles divide, forming two genetically identical daughter cells.



MEIOSIS

Unlike mitosis: it occurs in gametophytes: germ cells  resulting in 4 identical gametes(sex cell)

1. Meiosis I ("Reductional Division")

Homologous chromosomes separate, reducing chromosome number from diploid (2N) → haploid (N).

Genetic recombination occurs, increasing genetic diversity.

Prophase I

  • Chromatin condenses into chromosomes.

  • Nuclear membrane dissolves.

  • Homologous chromosomes pair up in a process called synapsis, forming a tetrad (4 chromatids total).

  • Crossing over occurs at the chiasmata, leading to genetic recombination.

  • Mendel’s Law of Independent Assortment applies.

Metaphase I

  • Homologous pairs(tetrad) align at the metaphase plate.

  • Each homolog attaches to spindle fibers from opposite poles (random orientation).

Anaphase I

  • Homologous chromosomes separate and are pulled to opposite poles.

  • This is called disjunction, following Mendel’s Law of Segregation.

  • The paternal chromosome separates from its homologous maternal which results in a random effect of what the daughter cell will have

  • Sister chromatids remain attached at the centromere.

Telophase I & Cytokinesis

  • Nuclear membrane reforms around haploid nuclei.

  • Each daughter cell contains haploid (N) chromosomes, but each still has two sister chromatids.

  • Interkinesis may occur (a short rest phase before Meiosis II).


2. Meiosis II ("Equational Division")

  • Similar to mitosis, but results in four haploid (N) daughter cells.

Prophase II

  • Nuclear envelope dissolves, spindle fibers form.

  • No crossing over occurs.

Metaphase II

  • Sister chromatids align at the metaphase plate.

Anaphase II

  • Sister chromatids separate and are pulled to opposite poles.

Telophase II & Cytokinesis

  • Nuclear membranes reform around each nucleus.

  • Cytoplasm divides, forming four haploid gametes.


Key Points & High-Yield Annotations

1. Biological Sex & Determination
  • Sex is determined by the 23rd chromosome pair.

    • XX → Female, XY → Male

    • Mutations of the X chromosome can cause sex linked disorders because the X chromosome carries a sizeable amount of genetic info

  • Males are hemizygous to X chromosome genes because they only have one copy

  • Females don't have to express the gene always because they have 2 copies and if they don't express it they are called carriers

  • Y chromosome contains very little genetic information

  • One gene that it does carry is the SRY (Sex-determining Region Y) gene on the Y chromosome 

  • This triggers male differentiation by initiating testis formation.

  • Without SRY, female reproductive structures develop by default.

2. Male Reproductive System

  • Testes (dual function)

  • Developed formed gonads-(responsible for sex organ creation) and located in the scrotum- external pouch hanging outside of the penis

- it is positioned this way to allow it to have a temperature 2-4 degrees lower than the body

2 functional components of the testes:

  • Seminiferous tubules →highly coiled tubes responsible for sperm production, nourished by Sertoli cells

  • Interstitial cells of Leydig → secrete testosterone & androgens

  • Sperm Pathway (SEVEN UP):

    • Seminiferous tubules: produces sperm 

Passes on to the->epididymis

  • Epididymis → sperm gain motility  and stored here until ejaculation

Passes on to the->vandeferes

  • Vas deferens:A coiled tube that carries the sperm out of the testes.

Passes on to the->ejactutalory duct

  • Ejaculatory duct(2) : at the posterior edge of the prostate gland, fuse to carry out sperm to urethra

Passes on to the->urethra

  • Nothing (mnemonic filler)

  • Urethra- carries sperm to exit the body

  • Penis


As sperm passes through the reproductive tract it is mixed with Seminal fluid production which nourishes sperm

This is done by:

  • Seminal vesicles → the seminal fluid produces has fructose (energy source for sperm)

  • Prostate gland → the seminal fluid produced gives sperm alkaline fluid so sperm can survive the acidity of female tract

  • Bulbourethral (Cowper’s) glands → the seminal fluid is a thick fluid (precum) which lubricates and cleans out urethra from pee

- seminal fluid combines with sperm later to ejaculate semen


3. Spermatogenesis (Sperm Development)
  • Semen produces in the walls  seminiferous tubules

  1. Spermatogonia(2n) is diploid and undergoes mitosis with one going to sperm cell and another going further into the next generation of sperm: overall results in a primary spermatocyte(2n)

  2. Primary spermatocyte (2n) turns into a secondary spermatocyte (n)in meiosis 1

  3. Secondary spermatocyte(n) undergoes meiosis 2 and turns into 4 spermatid(n) cells 

  4. The spermatid reaches lumen of the tubule maturing by growing a flagellum making it a spermatozoa (n)

RESULT: 1 cell of 2n spermatogonia-> 4 cells of spermatozoa (n)


  • Mature Sperm structure:

Very compact

  • Head → contains acrosome cap- has enzymes to penetrate the ovum

  • Midpiece → packed with mitochondria (ATP to reach the female reproductive tract)

  • Tail → flagellum (mobility)

 


Female Reproductive System

  • Ovaries(female gonads)  → produce ova(eggs), estrogen, progesterone

  • Located in the pelvic cavity:has a lot of follicles- multilayered sacs that nourish the eggs

  • Pathway of an egg (monthly cycle): happens between puberty and menopause 

  1. Ovary → releases egg during ovulation into the peritoneal sac

  2. Fallopian tube- egg drawn here to fertilize it

  • The fallopian tube is lined with cilia in order to propel the egg forward into the uterus 

  1. Uterus- site of fetal development (implantation or shedding)

  2. Cervix (lower part of the uterus) → Vaginal canal


Oogenesis (Egg Development):

Different from the spermatogenesis because

  1. Supply of eggs is constant and not ever ending

  2. By birth all oogonia have already replicated and are already considered primary oocytes(2n) 

  • Primary oocytes (2n) are stuck in prophase I until first period(menarche) 

  • After menarche, one primary oocyte will complete meiosis 1 producing Secondary oocyte (n)

  • Fertilization of egg by sperm→ completes meiosis IIovum (n)

  • Oocytes surrounded by:

    • Zona pellucida (glycoproteins, protects oocyte, sperm binding nutrients )

    • Corona radiata (outer layer, support, adherence to the oocyte during ovulation)


SPERM contributes only ½ of DNA during fertilization while ovum passes almost everythings it has: haploid pronuclei of sperm and ovum jon creating zygote


 Hormonal Control of Reproduction

Prior to puberty hypothalamus restricts the products GnRH (Gonadotropin-releasing hormone)

At the start of puberty, thai restriction is lifted:

  • Hypothalamus releases GnRH (Gonadotropin-releasing hormone) → Stimulates anterior pituitary to synthesize 

    • Follicle Stimulating Hormone & Luteinizing Hormone which drive reproductive processes

In males:

  • FSH → stimulates Sertoli cells → spermatogenesis

  • LH → stimulates Leydig cells → testosterone production

In females:

  • FSH → stimulates follicle development(maturation of single ovum) & estrogen secretion

  • LH surge → triggers ovulation and corpus luteum formation → secretes progesterone(thickens and nominations the endometrium(thick lining of the uterus))


MALE SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT:

Fetal period: presence of Y chromosome lead to production of androgens resulting in male differentiation

Puberty: testosterone increases and sperm production begins

  • Done by the FSH (sertoli cells for spermatogenesis) and LH(Leydig cells for testosterone production) 

  • Also results in secondary sexual characteristics such as deep voice and facial hair


FEMALE SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT

FSH stimulates estrogen secretion: grows boobs, widens hips ect

  1. Estrogen: 

Embryo: stimulates development of female reproductive  tract

 In adults: estrogen thicken the uterus lining: endometrium, which prepares body for zygote implantation


  1. Progesterone: in response to the LTH 

  • Thickens and maintenance of the endometrium


 Menstrual Cycle Phases (28 Days)
  1. Follicular Phase (Day 1-13)

  • When menstrual cycle begins

  • Progesterone and estrogen rates drop which causes GnRH  to secrete more of it

  • FSH stimulates follicle growth → estrogen rises

  • Estrogen → endometrial thickening

  1. Ovulation (Day 14)

    • LH surge(peak of estrogen) triggers ovulation

    • Releases the ovum from ovary to the peritoneal cavity 

  2. Luteal Phase (Day 15-28)

    • Corpus luteum secretes progesterone → maintains endometrium

    • Progesterone high levels aids negative feedback on GnRH reducing FSH and LH levels and preventing ovulation of multiple eggs

  3. Menstruation (if no fertilization)


    • Estrogen & progesterone drop → shedding of endometrial lining


7. Pregnancy & Fertilization
  • Fertilization → zygote → blastocyst → implants in endometrium

  • hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) will be secreted in zygote develops

  • Very similar to LH and can stimulate LH receptors

  • Maintains corpus luteum to sustain progesterone and estrogen levels in the FIRST TRIMESTER

  • SECOND TRIMESTER: hGG levels decline because Placenta can take over hormone production of estrogen and progesterone

  • Birth control pills mimic high estrogen & progesterone → inhibits FSH/LH (no ovulation)


8. Menopause
  • Ovaries become less sensitive to FSH and LH which results in: 

  • Ovarian atrophy, ↓ estrogen & progesterone: stopping menstruation 

  • FSH & LH increase drastically to try to make up for (loss of negative feedback)

  • But no response which can contribute to the side effects such as hot flashes