Reproductive

Sperm from an ejaculate are not yet ready to fertilize an ovum. What needs to happen before they are and how long will it take?

A sperm must release the digestive enzymes to the outer layer known as the zona pellucida to make a tunnel to go into the membrane of the egg that will take up to 10 hours. TO fertilize an ovum, they must undergo capacitation.

Define ovulation

Expulsion of a secondary picture from the ovary

Where do the egg and sperm meet?

Fallopian tube / ovarian tube

Where does fertilization take place?

Fallopian tubes / ovarian tubes

Define ejaculation

Forcible expulsion of semen from the urethra out of the penis

What is fertilization?

Fusion of an ovum and spermatozoon

Define gestation

Time between conception and birth, during which the embryo or fetus is developing in the uterus

Define implantation

Process by which a blastocyst attaches itself to and penetrates the endometrium of the uterus

What is the role of the corpus luteum in pregnancy?

Secretes estradiol and progesterone (sex steroids)

What is an ectopic pregnancy? Why does it happen?

Implantation in an area outside of the uterus (i.e. Fallopian tube) The ovum/zygote didn't travel far enough after fertilization, inflam of Fallopian tube caused blockage, abnormal shape to the Fallopian tube

Describe the female reproductive cycle (including the two main functions of the ovary) using the terms hormone, estrogen, progesterone, maturing follicle, ovulation, corpus luteum, endometrium, menses and fertilization.

Main functions: produce oocytes and hormones (estrogen & progesterone) The maturing follicle releases the secondary oocyte during ovulation. Ovary releases estrogen to build up the endometrial lining. The portion of the mature follicle that stayed behind turn into a corpus luteum that releases progesterone during luteal phase to build up the blood vessels in the endometrial lining. If fertilization occurs, the corpus luteum stays and continues to release progesterone to stop the ejection of the endometrial lining. If no fertilization, menses (period) occurs.

Describe the path of an egg from the ovary to gestation.

Ovaries -> Fimbriae ->Fallopian Tubes (fertilization here oocyte to zygote) ->Uterus -> Implantation into the Endometrium (zygote to blastocyst) -> Fetus moves to cervix at partruition