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Reproductive System Anatomy & Physiology

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  • What are the primary male gonads and their main functions?

    The testes are the primary male gonads responsible for producing sperm and secreting testosterone.

  • Name the main components of the male duct system.

    The male duct system includes the epididymis, ductus deferens, ejaculatory duct, and urethra.

  • What is the function of the epididymis?

    The epididymis stores sperm and facilitates their maturation.

  • List the three parts of the male urethra.

    The urethra has three parts: prostatic, membranous, and spongy.

  • What are the accessory sex glands in males and their secretions?

    Accessory glands include seminal vesicles (fructose, prostaglandins), prostate gland (citrate, PSA), and bulbourethral glands (mucus secretion).

  • Describe the structure of a sperm cell.

    A sperm has an acrosome (enzyme cap), head (nucleus), midpiece (mitochondria), and tail (flagellum).

  • What is spermatogenesis and where does it occur?

    Spermatogenesis is the process of sperm production occurring in the seminiferous tubules of the testes.

  • Outline the stages of spermatogenesis.

    Stages: spermatogonia (stem cells), primary spermatocytes (meiosis I), secondary spermatocytes (meiosis II), spermatids, and spermatozoa after spermiogenesis.

  • What role do sustentacular cells play in spermatogenesis?

    Sustentacular cells support developing sperm by providing nutrients and hormonal regulation.

  • What triggers the onset of male puberty and what are some effects of testosterone?

    Puberty begins around 12-14 years, with testosterone causing secondary sex characteristics like hair growth, voice deepening, and muscle growth.

  • What are the primary female gonads and their main functions?

    The ovaries produce oocytes and secrete female sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone.

  • Describe the stages of oogenesis before and after birth.

    Before birth, oogonia become primary oocytes arrested in prophase I. At puberty, meiosis I completes for some, producing a secondary oocyte arrested in metaphase II.

  • Compare spermatogenesis and oogenesis in terms of timing and cell production.

    Spermatogenesis starts at puberty producing millions of sperm continuously; oogenesis begins before birth, producing one ovum per month with polar bodies.

  • What are the phases of the ovarian cycle?

    Phases: Follicular phase (follicle development), ovulation (release of oocyte), and luteal phase (corpus luteum activity).

  • What hormones regulate the ovarian cycle?

    FSH stimulates follicle growth; LH triggers ovulation and corpus luteum formation; estrogen and progesterone regulate feedback.

  • Describe the layers of the uterus involved in the uterine cycle.

    The uterus has the stratum functionalis (shed during menstruation) and the stratum basalis (regenerates the functionalis).

  • What are the phases of the uterine cycle and their main events?

    Phases: Menstrual (shedding), proliferative (endometrium rebuilds), and secretory (endometrium prepares for implantation).

  • How do hormone levels change during the uterine cycle?

    Estrogen rises during proliferative phase; progesterone rises during secretory phase; FSH and LH peak to trigger ovulation.

  • What are the effects of female sex hormones during puberty?

    Estrogen causes secondary sex characteristics like increased bone and muscle growth and widening of the pelvis.

  • What marks the end of the female reproductive cycle?

    Menopause is the cessation of menstruation, marked by a drop in estrogen levels, typically occurring in late 40s to 50s.