Biology 12: Reproductive System

Front 1

Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH)

Back 1

The hypothalamus releases GnRH, which activates the anterior pituitary gland.

Front 2

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Back 2

Generally, in males, FSH releases sperm and inhibin. In females, FSH releases estrogen.

Front 3

Lutenizing Hormone (LH)

Back 3

Generally, in males, LH releases testosterone. In females, LH releases progesterone.

Front 4

Testis

Back 4

The testis produces the sperm and testosterone.

Front 5

Seminiferous Tubules

Back 5

Spermatogenesis occurs here, (i.e. the production of sperm) and matures in the epididymis.

Front 6

Interstitial Cells

Back 6

These cells form between the seminiferous tubules, serving to release testosterone (LH).

Front 7

Penis

Back 7

The male sexual organ; an erectile shaft meant to help propel sperm through the cervix

Front 8

Epididymis

Back 8

Where sperm cells mature

Front 9

Vas Deferens

Back 9

Where sperm cells travel to after they exit the epididymis, conducts sperm through to the urethra (after going through the glands)

Front 10

Urethra (Male)

Back 10

Shorter in length than the female urethra, and, as a result, less UTIs. Also, the urethra is where the semen exits. Both urine and semen can't exit at once.

Front 11

Bulborethral Glands

Back 11

Contribute mucous fluid to semen

Front 12

Prostate Glands

Back 12

Contribute basic fluid to semen

Front 13

Seminal Vesicles

Back 13

Add protein, sugars, and nutrients to semen

Front 14

Sperm Flow

Back 14

Seminiferous Tubules -> Testis -> Epididymis -> Seminal vesicles -> Bulborethral Glands -> Prostate Glands -> Urethra

Front 15

Acrosome

Back 15

Cap of the sperm

Front 16

Head

Back 16

Head of the sperm

Front 17

Middle Piece

Back 17

Motor of the sperm

Front 18

Tail

Back 18

Flagella of the sperm

Front 19

Spermatogenesis

Back 19

The process of creating sperm in the testis

Front 20

Secondary Sexual Characteristics (Males)

Back 20

Axillary hair growth, maturation of the Adam's Apple (i.e. deeper voice). The testosterone causes males to grow taller than females generally.

Front 21

Hormonal Cycle for Males (FSH)

Back 21

Hypothalamus releases GnRH -> Anterior Pituitary Gland releases FSH -> Testis releases sperm plus inhibin -> Inhibin cancels out the production of FSH and GnRH

Front 22

Hormonal Cycle for Females (FSH)

Back 22

Hypothalamus releases GnRH -> Anterior Pituitary Gland releases FSH -> Ovaries release follicles and Estrogen

Front 23

Hormonal Cycle for Females (LH)

Back 23

The production of LH (but its inhibition by estrogen) causes the corpus luteum to form.

Front 24

Oogenesis

Back 24

The production of a follicle (immature egg)

Front 25

Ovulation

Back 25

The follicle bursts from the oviduct into the uterus

Front 26

Oviduct

Back 26

The oviduct is where the egg gets fertilized. It is filled with fimbrae (fingerlike projections) to assist the egg into moving into the uterus.

Front 27

Uterus

Back 27

The egg nestles into the endometrial lining here, and grows. Without an egg, this is simply a step in the process of the ovulation cycle; the high amounts of estrogen thickens the endometrial lining, but it is shed because the LH has decreased and the luteum is no longer being maintained.

Front 28

LH (Females)

Back 28

The Lutenizing Hormone. When LH spikes, it produces the Corpus Luteum, which in turn produces progesterone that builds the endometrial lining.

Front 29

Ovarian Cycle (FSH)

Back 29

Hypothalamus releases GnRH -> Anterior Pituitary Gland releases FSH and LH -> FSH creates a follicle, which releases estrogen -> The estrogen inhibits the FSH (blood level increase)

Front 30

Ovarian Cycle (LH)

Back 30

Hypothalamus releases GnRH -> Anterior Pituitary Gland releases FSH and LH -> LH levels spike after estrogen levels drop -> creates Corpus Luteum, which releases progesterone -> LH levels drop after 10 days

Front 31

Corpus Luteum

Back 31

A structure that provides nutrients to the endometrial lining by strengthening and thickening it (estrogen) and creating it (progesterone)

Front 32

Menstruation

Back 32

The shedding of the endometrial lining

Front 33

Estrogen

Back 33

Inhibits FSH production
Inhibits LH release
Thickens endometrial lining

Front 34

Progesterone

Back 34

Glands form in the endometrium
Inhibits LH release/production

Front 35

What causes a new follicle to develop?

Back 35

When the corpus luteum is not maintained anymore, FSH levels spike, creating a new follicle

Front 36

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)

Back 36

Secretes estrogen and progesterone so that the endometrial lining can be maintained for 6 months

Front 37

Placenta

Back 37

After 6 months have passed, the placenta takes over and secretes estrogen and progesterone

Front 38

Oxytocin

Back 38

Causes the smooth uterine muscle to contract near childbirth (peristalsis) -- facilitates partuition
Stimulation of milk ejection from mammary glands for babies
"Motherly" behaviour

Front 39

Venous Duct

Back 39

The duct in which the mother and fetus share nutrients -- sends it into the fetal liver

Front 40

Arterial Duct

Back 40

Connects pulmonary trunk to aorta

Front 41

Oval Opening (Foramen Ovale)

Back 41

The left and right atrium are connected -- blood shunts right through as the lungs are useless at this stage

Front 42

Lungs in fetus

Back 42

Due to the amniotic sac that surrounds the fetus, the lungs can't exchange oxygen and blood as effectively

Front 43

Umbilical Cord

Back 43

Exchanges mother's nutrients to the fetus