contain interstitial cells between tubules that secrete testosterone

comma-shaped structure composed of internal duct and external covering of connective tissue

stores sperm until fully mature and capable of being motile

releases its sperm into vas deferens during sexual intercourse

donut-shaped organ located at base of bladder and encloses the proximal part of urethra

mucus coats and lubricates urethra for passage of sperm during sexual intercourse

produces sperm and androgens (male sex hormones), especiallly testosterone

generate a current that moves any oocyte released by ovary into fallopian tube

protects and nourishes developing baby by forming a vascular connection that later develops into the placenta

implantation occurs in endometrium (innermost layer of uterus)

sex cell division that starts off with a diploid parent cell in gonad (each containing 23 chromosomes) and produces haploid daughter cells called gametes

produces four daughter cells that are genetically different from parent cell

includes process of crossing over- genetic material is exchanged between homologous chromosomes

homologous pairs of replicated chromosomes are separated when the cell divides

result is 2 cells, each containing 23 chromosomes (not pairs) that consists of replicated sister chromatids

AKA reduction division because it results in reduction of number of chromosomes in daughter cells

homologous replicated chromosomes in parent cell pair up to from a tetrad (synapsis)

crossing over occurs as chromosomes come together; ensures continued genetic diversity in new organisms

pairs of each tetrad line up at midline, forming double line of chromosomes according to independent assortment (maternal and paternal chromosomes can be on either side of midline)

spindle fibers extend from centrioles at opposite ends of the cell and attach to centromere of each homologous replicated chromosome

pairs of chromosomes are pulled to opposite ends of the cell (process of maternal and paternal pairs moving to opposite sides is called reduction division)

pairs of chromosomes are no longer together, but each replicated chromosome still consists of two sister chromatids

replicated chromosomes arrive at opposite ends of cell, then nuclear membrane may re-form around these chromosomes

cleavage furrow forms in cell, then cell cytoplasm divides to produce 2 new cells

each daughter cell contains 23 replicated chromosomes only, but each chromosome is composed of 2 sister chromatids bound together

cells formed then must undergo another round of cell division (meiosis II) to separate sister chromatids

sister chromatids separate and become single chromosomes in haploid cells

in each of 2 new cells, nuclear envelope breaks down and chromosomes collect together

spindle fibers extend from centroles to centromere of each chromatid

replicated chromosomes (sister chromatids) align to from a single line along equator in middle of cell

sister chromatids of each replicated chromosome are pulled apart at centromere and are now separated

sister chromatid is now called single chromosome and is pulled to opposite pole of cell

daughter cells mature into secondary oocytes in females; mature into sperm in males

process of sperm development that occurs in seminiferous tubule of the testis

starts at puberty when significant levels of FSH and LH stimulate the testis to begin gamete development

spermatogonia are diploid cells so they have 23 pairs of chromosomes; total of 46 chromosomes

sperm develop from primordial germ (stem) cells called spermatogonia

mitotic divisions of these cells produce a new germ cell and a committed cell (primary spermatocyte)

haploid cells (containing 23 chromosomes) produced during meiosis I are called secondary spermatocytes

meiosis II originates with the secondary spermatocytes and produces spermatids

process of spermiogenesis begins with spermatids and results in morphologic changes needed to form sperm

acrosome cap forms over the nucleus; contains digestive enzymes that help penetrate the secondary oocyte for fertilization

tail attached to midpiece, which contains mitochondria and a centriole (mitochondria used to provide energy to move tail)

oogonia are diploid cells (contain 23 pairs of chromosomes; total of 46) that are origin of oocytes

mitotic divisions of oogonia produce primary oocytes (diploid cells)

primary oocytes start process of meiosis but are arrested in prophase I

about 20 primordial follicles mature into primary follicles every month

secondary oocyte is a haploid cell (23 chromosomes) that is arrested in the second meiotic metaphase

if second oocyte is fertilized, it completes the second meiotic division and becomes an ovum; if not fertilized, it degenerates

consists of an oocyte surrounded by follicle cells which supports the oocyte

primary oocyte is an oocyte that is arrested in the first meiotic prophase

consists of primary oocyte surrounded by one or more layers of cuboidal follicular cells (AKA granulosa cells)

secretes estrogen which stimulates changes in the uterine lining

oocyte forced toward one side of follicle, where it is surrounded by a cluster of follicle cells termed cumulus oophorus

corona radiata; external to zona pellucida, innermost layer of cumulus oophorus cells

becomes large, contains a secondary oocyte, layers of granulosa cells, and a large, fluid-filled, crescent-shaped antrum

seondary oocyte has completed meiosis I and is arrested in second meiotic metaphase

mature follicle ruptures and expels oocyte (ovulation) and remaining of follicle in ovary turns yellowish

stimulate and support the continuing buildup of uterine lining and prepare uterus for possible implantation of a fertilized oocyte

corpus luteum undergoes break down, turns into a white connective tissue scar

composed of infundibulum (contain fimbriae), ampulla (fertilization of oocyte usually occurs here), and isthmus (extends from ampulla toward lateral wall of uterus), uterine part (extends from isthmus and penetrates wall of uterus)

during birth, oxytocin levels increase to initiate uterine contractions of labor

if no oocyte is fertilized, the muscular wall of uterus contracts and sheds its inner lining as menstruation

Fundus: curved, superior region extending between the lateral attachments of the uterine tubes

Body: middle region, major part of organ, composed of thick wall of smooth muscle

Cervix: narrow, inferiormost portion of uterus that projects into vagina

mucus plug; suspected to be a barrier that prevents pathogens from invading the uterus from the vagina

lamina propria is filled with uterine glands, which enlarge during the uterine cycle

basal layer: deepest layer, permanent layer that undergoes few changes during each uterine cycle

new functional layer grows from basal layer after the end of each menses

nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium, highly vascularized lamina propria

vaginal epithelial cells produce acidic secretion that helps prevent bacterial and other pathogenic infection

inferior region has folds (rugae); near external opening there is the hymen which is typically perforated during the first instance of sexual intercourse

contains some inner elastic fibers and an outer layer of areolar connective tissue

population of dividing germ cells that continuously produce sperm beginning at puberty

provide protective environment for developing sperm, their cytoplasm helps nourish developing sperm

release hormone inhibin when sperm count is high (inhibits FSH secretion)

bound by tight junctions, which form blood-testis barrier- helps protect developing sperm from materials in the blood, protects sperm from leukocytes (which may perceive sperm as foreign because of different chromosome numbers and proteins

conducts sperm and a component of seminal fluid toward the urethra

transports semen from both ejaculatory ducts to the outside of the body

subdivided into prostatic urethra (extends from bladder through prostate gland), membranous urethra (continues through urogenital diaphragm), and a spongy urethra (extends through penis)

medial portion merges with a ductus deferens to form ejaculatory duct

fructose nourishes sperm as they travel through female reproductive tract

prostaglandins are hormonelike substances that promote widening and slight dilation of external os of cervix, which facilitates sperm entry into uterus

seminalplasmin is an antibiotic that combats urinary tract infections in male

PSA acts as enzyme to help liquefy semen following ejaculation