practice test questions

• Tests for cystic fibrosis

  • Amniocentesis
  • Chorionc villus sampling (CVS)
• Ovum availability for fertilisation

  1. FSH stimulates growth of follicles

  2. One follicle develops and matures

  3. Developing follicle releases oestrogen

  4. Oestrogen negatively feedbacks reducing FSH
• Luteinising hormone


  Promotes final maturation of the follicle<|>Causes ovulation
• Luteinising hormone in males

  • Target organ: interstitial cells of testes
  • Effect: stimulates secretion of testosterone
• Accessory glands producing semen

  • Prostate gland
  • Bulbourethral glands/Cowper's glands
  • Seminal vesicles
• Prostate gland contribution to semen

  Produces thin, milky, alkaline fluid
• Bulbourethral glands contribution to semen

  Produces clear mucus
• Seminal vesicles contribution to semen

  Produces thick fluid rich in fructose
• Structures in fetal circulatory system

  • Ductus venosus
  • Ductus arteriosus
  • Foramen ovale
• Ductus venosus


  A vessel that bypasses the liver between the umbilical cord and the inferior vena cava
• Ductus arteriosus


  A vessel that bypasses the lungs between the pulmonary artery and the aorta
• Foramen ovale


  An opening between the right atrium and left atrium
• The three circulatory structures close permanently following birth because food and nutrients must be processed by the liver
• The three circulatory structures close permanently following birth because lungs are functional so blood must flow to them
• The three circulatory structures close permanently following birth to ensure blood is oxygenated and not deoxygenated
• Embryo


  A developing baby week 1-8
• Foetus


  A developing baby week 9-40
• Stages of delivery


  • Stage 1: dilation of the cervix and uterine contractions
  • Stage 2: bursting of membrane and expulsion of the foetus
  • Stage 3: expulsion of placenta membranes and umbilical cord
• Prostate gland role in male fertility

  Produces alkaline fluid that helps activate sperm during ejaculation
• Gender determination


  Mothers have XX chromosomes, fathers have XY chromosomes
• The zygote could escape into the abdominal cavity and implant onto the outside of the uterus or on other abdominal organs if not captured by the open end of the oviduct
• The zygote could form an ectopic pregnancy if not captured by the open end of the oviduct
• The ovum becomes non-viable and passes out of the uterus into the vagina or degenerates and is reabsorbed if not fertilised after day 4
• Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) producer


  The placenta
• hCG can be detected 1 week before a woman's menstrual flow because implantation would have happened on day 20-21
• A positive reading could occur but the period happens due to the blastocyst not being established well enough
• A positive reading could occur but the period happens due to a major genetic or structural problem with the blastocyst
• A positive reading could occur but the period happens due to problems with the corpus luteum not providing required hormone levels
• mtDNA is passed to the offspring only from the mother
• Corpus luteum function


  Produces progesterone
• Days for pregnancy likelihood

  • 12-16
• The ovum remains viable for about 12-24 hours after ovulation
• Processes before implantation


  1. Cleavage: mitosis of zygote

  2. Formation of the blastocyst
• Amniotic fluid


  Protects against physical injury by acting as a shock absorber
• Chorionic villi structure


  Large surface area to volume ratio for efficient exchange of materials
• Reasons for chorionic villi sampling

  • Family history of genetic disorders
  • Older mothers at higher risk of disorders
• Stage with greatest cell potency

  Zygote
• Fructose in semen


  Provides energy for sperm movement
• The prostate gland is more prone to cancer and can be detected by a blood test
• Permanent male contraception


  Surgically cut and tied structure: vas deferens/sperm duct