Human Reproduction flash cards

1. 1.What type of reproduction and fertilization occurs in humans?

   Sexual reproduction, viviparous (gives birth to young ones), with internal fertilization.

   Hint: Sexual + viviparous

2. 2.Where are the testes located and why outside the abdomen?

   In a pouch called the scrotum, outside the abdominal cavity. This keeps testicular temperature about 2-2.5$^\circ$C lower than body temperature, which is essential for spermatogenesis.

   Hint: Scrotum keeps it cooler

3. 3.What are the approximate dimensions of an adult human testis?

   About 4-5 cm in length and 2-3 cm in width (oval shaped).

   Hint: ~4-5 cm long

4. 4.Into how many compartments (lobules) is each testis divided, and what do they contain?

   Each testis has about 250 compartments called testicular lobules, each containing 1-3 highly coiled seminiferous tubules where sperms are produced.

   Hint: ~250 lobules, 1-3 tubules each

5. 5.Name the two types of cells lining the seminiferous tubule and their functions.

   (1) Male germ cells (spermatogonia) that undergo meiosis to form sperms. (2) Sertoli cells which nourish/support the developing germ cells (nurse cells).

   Hint: Germ cells + Sertoli

6. 6.What are Leydig cells (interstitial cells) and their function?

   Cells present in the interstitial spaces outside the seminiferous tubules; they synthesise and secrete testicular hormones called androgens (mainly testosterone).

   Hint: Interstitial, secrete androgens

7. 7.QUESTION: Which cells provide nutrition to the developing sperms — Leydig cells or Sertoli cells?

   Sertoli cells (present inside the seminiferous tubules) nourish the germ cells. Leydig cells lie outside and secrete androgens.

   Hint: Nurse cells are inside the tubule

8. 8.Trace the path of sperm through the male duct system after the seminiferous tubules.

   Seminiferous tubules → rete testis → vasa efferentia → epididymis → vas deferens → ejaculatory duct → urethra → urethral meatus.

   Hint: Rete → vasa efferentia → epididymis → vas deferens

9. 9.What is the function of the epididymis?

   It stores sperms and is a site where sperms mature and gain motility (maturation of sperm).

   Hint: Storage + maturation

10. 10.What is the vas deferens and what does it do?

    The duct that ascends from the epididymis (tail), loops over the urinary bladder, and joins a duct from the seminal vesicle to form the ejaculatory duct; it transports sperms.

    Hint: Carries sperm from epididymis to ejaculatory duct

11. 11.Name the three male accessory glands.

    (1) Paired seminal vesicles, (2) single prostate gland, (3) paired bulbourethral (Cowper's) glands.

    Hint: Seminal vesicles, prostate, bulbourethral

12. 12.What is semen and what does it consist of?

    Semen = sperms + secretions of the accessory glands (seminal vesicles, prostate, bulbourethral glands). The fluid provides nutrition, medium and lubrication.

    Hint: Sperm + accessory gland secretions

13. 13.What is the function of bulbourethral (Cowper's) glands?

    Their secretion helps in lubrication of the penis (and neutralises acidity of the urethra) before ejaculation.

    Hint: Lubrication

14. 14.What is the male copulatory organ and what is the glans penis?

    The penis is the male external genitalia. Its enlarged end is the glans penis, covered by a loose fold of skin called the foreskin (prepuce). Erectile tissue makes it rigid for insemination.

    Hint: Penis; tip = glans

15. 15.QUESTION: Which male accessory gland surrounds the urethra at the base of the urinary bladder?

    The prostate gland surrounds the urethra just below the bladder; its secretion forms part of semen.

    Hint: Single, encircles urethra

16. 16.Name the parts of the female reproductive system.

    A pair of ovaries, a pair of oviducts (fallopian tubes), a uterus, a cervix, a vagina, and external genitalia; plus a pair of mammary glands (functionally associated).

    Hint: Ovaries, oviducts, uterus, cervix, vagina

17. 17.What are the ovaries and where are they located?

    The primary female sex organs; a pair of almond-shaped structures (about 2-4 cm) located one on each side of the lower abdomen. They produce the ovum and ovarian hormones (estrogen, progesterone).

    Hint: Primary sex organ, ~2-4 cm

18. 18.Name the three parts of the oviduct (fallopian tube) from the ovary to the uterus.

    Infundibulum (with fimbriae) → ampulla → isthmus (which joins the uterus).

    Hint: Infundibulum → ampulla → isthmus

19. 19.What are fimbriae and their role?

    Finger-like projections at the edge of the infundibulum (funnel-shaped part of the oviduct near the ovary); they help collect the ovum after ovulation.

    Hint: Finger-like, catch the ovum

20. 20.Where in the female tract does fertilization normally occur?

    In the ampullary-isthmic junction of the fallopian tube (in the ampulla region).

    Hint: Ampullary-isthmic junction

21. 21.What is the shape of the human uterus and what supports it?

    The uterus (womb) is inverted pear-shaped; it is supported by ligaments attached to the pelvic wall.

    Hint: Inverted pear

22. 22.Name the three layers of the uterine wall.

    (1) Perimetrium — thin external membrane; (2) Myometrium — thick middle smooth muscle layer (contractions during delivery); (3) Endometrium — inner glandular lining that undergoes cyclical changes during the menstrual cycle.

    Hint: Peri-, Myo-, Endo-metrium

23. 23.Which uterine layer undergoes cyclical changes and is involved in implantation?

    The endometrium — its glandular inner lining thickens and is shed during menstruation; the embryo implants into it.

    Hint: Innermost glandular layer

24. 24.What is the cervix?

    The narrow lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina; the cavity of the cervix (cervical canal) along with the vagina forms the birth canal.

    Hint: Uterus opens into vagina here

25. 25.What components make up the female external genitalia (vulva)?

    Mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, hymen, and clitoris.

    Hint: Mons pubis, labia, hymen, clitoris

26. 26.What are mammary glands and their functional units?

    Paired glandular structures in females containing glandular tissue and fat. Alveoli (secrete milk) → mammary tubules → mammary duct → mammary ampulla → lactiferous duct (opens at nipple).

    Hint: Alveoli → tubules → ducts → nipple

27. 27.QUESTION: Milk secreted by the alveoli reaches the nipple through which sequence of ducts?

    Alveoli → mammary tubules → mammary duct → mammary ampulla → lactiferous duct → nipple.

    Hint: Ampulla stores, lactiferous duct opens out

28. 28.Define gametogenesis.

    The process of formation of gametes (haploid cells) — spermatogenesis produces sperms in the testis and oogenesis produces ova in the ovary.

    Hint: Gamete formation

29. 29.Define spermatogenesis and when it begins.

    The process of formation of sperms from spermatogonia in the seminiferous tubules of the testis. It begins at puberty due to a significant increase in secretion of GnRH.

    Hint: Starts at puberty

30. 30.Give the cell sequence in spermatogenesis with their ploidy.

    Spermatogonium (2n) → primary spermatocyte (2n) → [meiosis I] → two secondary spermatocytes (n) → [meiosis II] → four spermatids (n) → spermiogenesis → four sperms (n).

    Hint: Spermatogonia → spermatocytes → spermatids → sperms

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