BIO 30 REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS UPDATED
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE
RESOURCE
●● Scrotum
Answer: External pouch of skin that encloses the testicles and provides a
decrease in temperature for sperm development.
●● Testicles (testes)
Answer: Oval organs that lie in the scrotum, responsible for making
testosterone and generating sperm
- Full of interstitial cells that make testosterone
- Full of seminiferous tubules where sperm are made and "nursed" by
sertoli cells
●● Interstitial Cells
Answer: In the testes, these cells lie between the seminiferous tubules
and produce the hormone testosterone; stimulated by LH from the
pituitary gland
●● Seminiferous Tubules
Answer: Narrow, coiled tubules that produce sperm in the testes.
,- Where spermatogenesis occurs
- Also contains sertoli cells that nourish and provide energy for growing
sperms
●● Sertoli Cells
Answer: Cells found within the seminiferous tubules that provide
metabolic support for the spermatids
- "nurse cells"
Stimulated by FSH from the pituitary gland and sends inhibin back to
the pituitary gland for negative feedback.
●● Epididymis
Answer: Structure in the male reproductive system in which sperm are
fully matured and are stored
- aka. "testicle hats", aka "sperm high school"
- a compact, coiled tube on the outer edge of each testis
- where sperm are stored and finish maturing, ex. begin swimming
motions
- immune system destroys the defective sperm here
●● Vas Deferens (ductus deferens)
Answer: Excretory duct of testis that joins epididymis with ejaculatory
duct
,- 2 tubes that carry mature sperm from each epididymis to the
ejaculatory duct
- The ejaculatory duct then becomes the urethra
- A vasectomy is when you cut or clamp this duct
Why? Because its PERMANENT BIRTH CONTROL
●● Seminal Fluid
Answer: The substance in which sperm are suspended is produced by
three glands in the abdominal cavity
- Secretions made by 3 exocrine glands; seminal vesicles, prostate gland
and Cowper's gland (bulbourethral gland)
- Added to the ejaculatory duct
- Required by sperm for their journey
Sperm + ________ ______ = semen
●● Seminal Vesicles
Answer: Two small glands aka. BUNNY EARS
- Produce fructose to provide energy for mature sperm
- Produce prostaglandins: hormones that have local effects; they initiate
smooth muscle contractions (even in the female reproductive system)
and help sperm move towards the egg
●● Prostate Gland
, Answer: A walnut-sized gland that produces part of the semen.
- Produces an ALKALINE BUFFER to help protect against the acidity
of the vagina
Also makes some mucus
●● Cowper's/ Bulbourethral Gland
Answer: Located below the prostate gland and produces pre-ejaculate;
mucus- rich fluid that coats the urethra to protect sperm from acidity.
●● Penis
Answer: - Made of erectile tissue which fills with blood upon sexual
arousal; when erect the arteries to the penis dilate and the veins constrict,
when flaccid the arteries constrict and the veins dilate
- Parasympathetic nervous system permits an erection and the
sympathetic nervous system causes muscles to contract (orgasm)
sending about 5mL of semen out of the urethra
*SPERM ONLY LIVES 3 DAYS AT BODY TEMP. AND FOR YEARS
AT -100*
●● Urethra
Answer: A tube running down the middle of the penis that carries urine
or semen but never both at the same time
●● Glans Penis
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE
RESOURCE
●● Scrotum
Answer: External pouch of skin that encloses the testicles and provides a
decrease in temperature for sperm development.
●● Testicles (testes)
Answer: Oval organs that lie in the scrotum, responsible for making
testosterone and generating sperm
- Full of interstitial cells that make testosterone
- Full of seminiferous tubules where sperm are made and "nursed" by
sertoli cells
●● Interstitial Cells
Answer: In the testes, these cells lie between the seminiferous tubules
and produce the hormone testosterone; stimulated by LH from the
pituitary gland
●● Seminiferous Tubules
Answer: Narrow, coiled tubules that produce sperm in the testes.
,- Where spermatogenesis occurs
- Also contains sertoli cells that nourish and provide energy for growing
sperms
●● Sertoli Cells
Answer: Cells found within the seminiferous tubules that provide
metabolic support for the spermatids
- "nurse cells"
Stimulated by FSH from the pituitary gland and sends inhibin back to
the pituitary gland for negative feedback.
●● Epididymis
Answer: Structure in the male reproductive system in which sperm are
fully matured and are stored
- aka. "testicle hats", aka "sperm high school"
- a compact, coiled tube on the outer edge of each testis
- where sperm are stored and finish maturing, ex. begin swimming
motions
- immune system destroys the defective sperm here
●● Vas Deferens (ductus deferens)
Answer: Excretory duct of testis that joins epididymis with ejaculatory
duct
,- 2 tubes that carry mature sperm from each epididymis to the
ejaculatory duct
- The ejaculatory duct then becomes the urethra
- A vasectomy is when you cut or clamp this duct
Why? Because its PERMANENT BIRTH CONTROL
●● Seminal Fluid
Answer: The substance in which sperm are suspended is produced by
three glands in the abdominal cavity
- Secretions made by 3 exocrine glands; seminal vesicles, prostate gland
and Cowper's gland (bulbourethral gland)
- Added to the ejaculatory duct
- Required by sperm for their journey
Sperm + ________ ______ = semen
●● Seminal Vesicles
Answer: Two small glands aka. BUNNY EARS
- Produce fructose to provide energy for mature sperm
- Produce prostaglandins: hormones that have local effects; they initiate
smooth muscle contractions (even in the female reproductive system)
and help sperm move towards the egg
●● Prostate Gland
, Answer: A walnut-sized gland that produces part of the semen.
- Produces an ALKALINE BUFFER to help protect against the acidity
of the vagina
Also makes some mucus
●● Cowper's/ Bulbourethral Gland
Answer: Located below the prostate gland and produces pre-ejaculate;
mucus- rich fluid that coats the urethra to protect sperm from acidity.
●● Penis
Answer: - Made of erectile tissue which fills with blood upon sexual
arousal; when erect the arteries to the penis dilate and the veins constrict,
when flaccid the arteries constrict and the veins dilate
- Parasympathetic nervous system permits an erection and the
sympathetic nervous system causes muscles to contract (orgasm)
sending about 5mL of semen out of the urethra
*SPERM ONLY LIVES 3 DAYS AT BODY TEMP. AND FOR YEARS
AT -100*
●● Urethra
Answer: A tube running down the middle of the penis that carries urine
or semen but never both at the same time
●● Glans Penis
