Reproductive System

Why do mutations of the BRCA genes cause problems?

A large percentage (80%) of those who carry the altered gene(s) develop breast cancer.

How does cleavage differ from cell divisions occurring after birth?

Cleavage involves successive divisions not separated by growth of the cells, so the cells get smaller with each division.

What is cryptorchidism, and what results if it is not rectified?

Cryptorchidism is failure of the testes to descend into the scrotum, if uncorrected, the result is infertility.

What are the three stages of labor?

Dilation, expulsion, and placental stages.

Explain how pregnancy affects a woman's respiratory and digestive processes?

During pregnancy, many women have heartburn because the uterus crowds the stomach. Constipation is another problem because mobility of the digestive tract decreases. Nasal stuffiness and difficulty breathing are common.

Name the organs of the male duct system, in order from the scrotum to the body exterior.

Epididymis, ductus deferens, ejaculatory duct, and urethra (prostatic membranous, and spongy regions).

Which ovarian hormone can be called a feminizing hormone because it promotes the formation of female secondary sex characteristics?

Estrogen

How are nonmotile spermatids converted to functional sperm?

Excess cytoplasm is discarded and what remains is compacted into the head, mid piece, and tail regions. Final maturation processes in the epididymis results in increased motility.

Which anterior pituitary hormone promotes follicle development in the ovary?

FSH promotes follicle development.

What pituitary hormone stimulates spermatogenesis?

FSH stimulates spermatogenesis.

What is the exocrine product of the ovary?

Female gametes (eggs or ova).

Adolph, a 68-year-old gentleman, has trouble urinating and is given a rectal exam. What is his most probable condition, and what is the purpose of the rectal exam?

His prostate is probably hypertrophied. The prostate is immediately anterior to the rectum and can be examined digitally through the anterior rectal wall.

Which anterior pituitary hormone causes ovulation?

LH stimulates ovulation.

Which pituitary hormone prompts testosterone production?

Luteinizing hormone stimulates testosterone production.

What is the function of the erectile tissue of the penis?

To make the penis firm by allowing it to fill with blood, so that it can serve as a penetrating device during sexual activity?

What are the major health threats to the adult woman's reproductive system?

Vaginal infections (E. coli, STIs, and fungal infections) may lead to PID. Abnormal or painful menses.

What name is given to an ovarian follicle that is ready or nearly ready to ovulate?

Vesticular or Graafian follicle.

Which sex chromosome combination yields a boy - XX or XY? What hormone must be produced by an XY fetus during development to stimulate its formation of the male duct system?

XY; testosterone

What are the two major functions of the testes?

The testes produce male gametes (sperm) and secrete sex hormones mainly testosterone.

Which organ of the female duct system serves as an "incubator" for fetal development? What is the most common site of fertilization?

The uterus serves as an incubator. The uterine (fallopian) tubes are the most common site of fertilization.

What are three roles of the placenta?

The placenta produces hormones of pregnancy, delivers nutrients and oxygen to the fetus, and removes wastes from the fetal blood.

Besides the one functional gamete (ovum), what other cell types are produced during oogenesis, and what happens to them?

Polar bodies are also produced. They deteriorate and die because the lack of sustaining cytoplasm.

What are three important functions of progesterone in women?

Progesterone (1) causes the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle, (2) helps prepare the breasts for lactation, and (3) helps quiet the uterine muscle to maintain pregnancy.

What is an important function of each of the two components of semen-sperm and seminal fluid?

Sperm are male gametes that fertilized the female's "egg". Seminal fluid serves as a transport medium for sperm and various substances that nourish and protect the sperm or aid their movement.

How does the final product of meiosis differ from the final product of mitosis?

The final product of mitosis is two diploid cells that are genetically identical to each other and to the mother cell. The final product of meiosis is four cells each with half the normal (diploid) number of chromosomes. Genetic variation is introduced by meiosis.

What happens during the proliferative stage of the uterine cycle?

The functional layer of the endometrium is rebuilt.

What is the role of the seminiferous tubules?

The seminiferous tubules produce sperm.