What type of cells produce haploid gametes?
Germline stem cells (diploid)
Haploid gametes are essential for sexual reproduction.
Where are sperm produced in the male reproductive system?
In the testes, specifically in the seminiferous tubules
The interstitial cells of the testes produce testosterone.
What hormone is produced by the interstitial cells of the testes?
Testosterone
Testosterone is crucial for sperm production and male secondary sexual characteristics.
What do the prostate gland and seminal vesicles secrete?
Fluids that maintain the mobility and viability of the sperm
These fluids are essential for successful fertilization.
What surrounds each egg (ovum) in the ovaries?
A follicle
The follicle protects the developing ovum and secretes hormones.
What is formed when a male and female nucleus fuse during fertilisation?
A zygote (diploid)
Fertilisation occurs in the oviduct after the mature ova are released.
What hormones control the onset of puberty?
These hormones are released by the pituitary gland in response to a releaser hormone from the hypothalamus.
What does FSH target in the male reproductive system?
The testes
FSH stimulates sperm production in the seminiferous tubules.
What does ICSH stimulate in the testes?
Production of testosterone in the interstitial cells
Testosterone is vital for sperm production and activates accessory glands.
How does negative feedback control work in regulating testosterone levels?
This feedback mechanism helps maintain hormonal balance.
The menstrual cycle takes approximately how many days?
28 days
The first day of menstruation is regarded as day one of the cycle.
What hormone stimulates the development of a follicle and the production of estrogen during the follicular phase?
FSH
FSH stands for Follicle-Stimulating Hormone.
What effect does estrogen have on the endometrium?
Thickening by proliferation
This prepares the endometrium for implantation.
What does estrogen cause cervical cells to release?
Watery mucus
This makes it easier for sperm to penetrate.
What triggers ovulation?
Surge in LH
LH stands for Luteinizing Hormone.
Ovulation usually occurs around the _______ of the menstrual cycle.
mid-point
This is when the egg (ovum) is released from a follicle in the ovary.
In the luteal phase, what does LH stimulate the corpus luteum to secrete?
Progesterone
Progesterone promotes further thickening and vascularization of the endometrium.
High levels of estrogen inhibit the production of which hormone?
FSH
This is part of the negative feedback mechanism.
What hormone does progesterone inhibit the production of?
FSH and LH
This prevents further follicles from developing.
The lack of LH leads to the degeneration of the _______.
corpus luteum
This results in a drop in progesterone levels and leads to menstruation.
If fertilization occurs, what happens to the corpus luteum?
It does not degenerate
Progesterone levels stay high.
Males show continuous fertility due to the production of sperm in their _______.
testes
This is due to relatively constant levels of pituitary hormones.
Females are most likely to conceive during a fertile period of approximately _______ days around ovulation.
six days
This is when they show cyclical fertility.
The fertile period can be identified by a slight rise in body temperature of _______ °C after ovulation.
0.5 °C
This is one of the indicators of the fertile period.