Human reproduction

Created by

Zara Thakrar

Cards (32)

What are the main parts of the male reproductive system
Penis
testes
urethra
What is the function of the testes in the male reproductive system?
The testes are responsible for the production of sperm cells. They also secrete the hormone testosterone, essential for the development of male reproductive organs and secondary sexual characteristics.
The prostate gland
The prostate gland produces a milky fluid that contributes to semen volume. This secreted fluid nourishes and protecs sperm. This fluid contains enzymes and nutrients that support sperm motility, as well as substances that help neutralise the acidity of the female reproductive tract.
How is the male reproductive system involved in sexual reproduction
The male reproductive system produces and delivers sperm cells to the female reproductive system during sexual intercourse.
What is the role of the sperm duct in the male reproductive system
The sperm duct delivers sperm cells to the urethra where it is mixed with fluids/semen before being passed out of the penis during ejaculation.
ovary
The ovary is part of the female reproductive system which contains ova (egg cells) ready to mature and be released during ovulation.
What is the role of the cervix in the female reproductive system?
The cervix is a ring of muscle at the entrance of the uterus. It keeps the developing fetus inside the uterus during pregnancy. It expands (dilates) during birth to allow passage of the baby through the vagina.
How is the oviduct adapted to carry out its function in the female reproductive system
The oviduct is a tube connecting an ovary to the uterus. It is lined with ciliated cells which help deliver a mature ovum (egg cell) from the ovary to the uterus. Fertilisation of the ovum by a sperm cell occurs in the oviduct.
What is the role of the uterus in the female reproductive system
The uterus is a muscular bag where a fertilised ovum is implanted which will develop into a fetus during pregnancy.
what is the vagina
The vagina is a muscular tube where a man's penis is inserted during sexual intercourse. It leads to the woman's uterus.
What is the menstrual cycle
The menstrual cycle is the sequence of events that includes the thickening of the uterus lining, ovulation and menstruation; it is controlled by a series of hormones.
What is the role of oestrogen in the menstrual cycle
Oestrogen causes the uterus lining to thicken during the first part of the menstrual cycle. It also interacts with other hormones to bring about maturation of an egg cell.
What happens to oestrogen levels during the menstrual cycle
Oestrogen levels rise from day 1 and peak just before day 14. The peak in oestrogen occurs just before the egg cell is released.
progesterone
Progesterone causes the uterus lining to finish thickening and then maintains the lining through the second half of the menstrual cycle. A decrease in progesterone levels at the end of the cycle results in the loss of the lining during menstruation
What happens to progesterone levels during the menstrual cycle
Progesterone levels are low from day 1 – 14 and starts to rise once ovulation has occurred. Levels then decrease towards the end of the cycle.
What is the role of FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) in the menstrual cycle
FSH is released by the pituitary gland and causes an egg to start maturing in the ovary. It also stimulates the ovaries to start releasing oestrogen
What hormone is released by the pituitary gland when oestrogen levels peak
When oestrogen levels reach their peak the pituitary gland is stimulated to release LH (luteinising hormone)
what does LH cause  
LH causes ovulation to occur. It is FSH that causes an egg cell to begin to mature.
What is ovulation 
Process in which a mature egg is released from the ovary
What substances does the fetus obtain from the mother's blood during pregnancy
Glucose
Amino acids
Fatty acids
Water
Oxygen
Mineral ions
Vitamins
What is the placenta
Forms in uterus during pregnancy.
provides oxygen and nutrients to baby through umbilical cord
how does the mother’s blood not mix with the blood of the fetus
The mother's blood and that of the fetus are separated by a membrane within the placenta.
How does the mother's blood exchange substances with the fetus's blood?
Substances are exchanged between the mother's blood and the fetus' blood in the placenta. Here substances cross the placental membrane by diffusion.
What waste products are removed from the fetus's blood at the placenta?
Carbon dioxide
Urea
What is the primary mechanism for the movement of molecules across the placenta?
The movement of most molecules across the placenta occurs by diffusion. For some substances active transport may be involved.
How is the placenta adapted for efficient diffusion
Large surface area of contact between the mother's blood and that of the fetus
A short diffusion distance between the mother's blood and the fetus' blood
Where does the embryo develop during human pregnancy? 
Embryo development occurs in the uterus after the embryo has implanted into the uterus lining.
What is the role of the amniotic fluid during pregnancy
The role of the amniotic fluid is to protect the developing embryo from being bumped by the movements of the mother's body.
What are secondary sexual characteristics 
Secondary sexual characteristics are features that are not present at birth but that develop during puberty.
What are the two hormones that control the development of secondary sexual characteristics
Oestrogen (females)
Testosterone (males)
examples of secondary sexual characteristics that develop in females 
Breasts develop
Body hair grows
Widening of hips
Menstruation begins
Growth of sex organs
male secondary sexual characteristics  
The secondary sexual characteristics in males develop in response to the hormone testosterone. Oestrogen is involved with stimulating development of secondary sexual characteristics in females.