What is a gamete cell?
An organism’s reproductive cell
Describe the testes.
-site of sperm production and development
-2 of them
-oval shaped
-4/5 cm in length, 2.5/3 cm wide
What are the 2 tissues the testes are protected/covered by?
What are seminiferous tubules?
What are sperm?
The gametes of the male reproductive system, and they carry the parental genetic information.
Can carry x or y.
Describe the head of the sperm.
-Flat with an oval shape
-Contains the nucleus
-The nucleus contains either and x or y chromosome
-Has a acrosomal cap
What is the role of the acrosomal cap of the head of the sperm?
Contains enzymes that are release prior to fertilization to help the sperm penetrate the layers of the egg.
What is the role of the neck of the sperm?
connects the head to the midpiece.
What is the role of the midpiece of the sperm?
It is a continuation of the neck, with a mitochondrial collar that helps produce energy.
What is the role of the tail of the sperm?
Also known as the flagellum, is the source of movement for the sperm.
How many regions of the sperm are there are what are their names?
There are 4:
-head
-neck
-midpiece
-tail
What is the scrotum? Where is it located?
It is a sac of skin and fascia surrounding the testes. IT is derived from the anterior abdominal wall and resides outside of the abdominopelvic cavity.
How many muscles are in the scrotum? What do they work together to do and what are there names?
There are 2 muscles: Dartos muscle and cremaster muscle.
*they work together to control the temperature of the testes
Describe the Dartos muscle.
-located superficially in the skin of the scrotum
-responsible for the wrinkly appearance of the scrotal sac
-helps to regulate temperature by altering the exposed surface area of the scrotum
Describe the cremaster muscle.
-one of the muscles of the scrotum
-found deep within the scrotal wall
-reflexively contracts in a cold environment, drawing the testes superior in the scrotum (closer to the body wall so they can absorb heat)
How must the sperm travel to pass outside the body?
through a duct system. the right and left testes each have their own duct systems.
What are the structure of the male duct system?
What is the epididymis? Where is it located, the regions of it, etc?
-Part of the male duct system
-This is the first portion of the male duct system
-Lies on the superior and posterior border of each testis
-shaped like a comma
-There are 3 components: head, body, tail.
Name the 3 parts of the head of the epididymis and their role.
What are the ducts of the epididymis lined with?
Pseudo-stratified columnar epithelium.
What is the Vas Deferens (Ductus Deferens)? Detail.
-Second portion of the male duct system
-stores and transports sperm from the epididymis to the urethra
-it is like with pseudostratified columnar epithelium containing sterocilia
-has a small lumen, but a thick muscularis composed of layers of smooth muscle (this thick muscularis helps propel sperm through the vas deferens)
What are the structures associated with the vas deferens? And what are their functions?
Describe the urethra?
It is part of the urinary system and is also the terminal portion of the male duct system, and transports sperm out of the body. It contains 3 sections:
What are the 3 accessory glands and what is their general function?
*they nourish the sperm as they travel through the duct system