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Questions and Answers
What is the primary male sex hormone responsible for stimulating spermatogenesis?
What hormone is primarily produced by the corpus luteum in the ovaries after ovulation?
Which hormone is involved in the regulation of the menstrual cycle and promotes the growth of ovarian follicles?
Which two hormones are collectively known as gonadotropins and trigger hormone release from the gonads?
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What are the main functions of estrogen in females?
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Which hormone contributes to maintaining vaginal health by keeping the vaginal lining thick and lubricated?
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What is one of the roles of luteinizing hormone (LH) in males?
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What effect does testosterone have outside of its role in male reproduction?
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What is the primary function of the urethral opening?
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What role does the cervix play during childbirth?
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Which structure's main purpose is to hold a fetus during pregnancy?
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In which part of the female reproductive system does fertilization typically occur?
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What is a primary function of the ovaries?
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What do glandular tissues in the breasts primarily produce?
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What function does the connective tissue serve in the breasts?
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What is the role of progesterone during early pregnancy?
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What part of the female anatomy can expand to accommodate a baby during delivery?
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How does LH affect the male gonads?
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What is the function of FSH in the female reproductive system?
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Which feedback mechanism typically prevents overproduction of sex hormones?
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What causes the LH surge that triggers ovulation?
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What is sexual differentiation?
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In both males and females, what role do sex hormones play in relation to the hypothalamus and pituitary gland?
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Which of the following statements about positive feedback in females is true?
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What is the primary function of fructose in ejaculatory fluid?
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Which structure is responsible for creating a lubricating fluid that helps neutralize acids in the urethra?
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What is the main role of the external genitals?
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Which part of the vulva encloses and protects the internal reproductive organs?
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What is the sensitivity of the clitoris primarily due to?
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What is the role of the hymen in relation to the vaginal opening?
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What is the primary purpose of the prostate gland in male reproductive anatomy?
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Which of the following statements about the labia minora is true?
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What is the primary function of testosterone in the male reproductive system?
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Which hormone is essential for the production of sperm?
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What structure transports mature sperm to the urethra?
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What term refers to the external body parts of the male reproductive system?
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What is the role of the seminal vesicles in the male reproductive system?
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During sexual arousal, which part forces sperm into the vas deferens?
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Which of the following statements about the urethra is true?
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Which hormone is produced by the pituitary gland and is necessary to continue spermatogenesis?
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Study Notes
Anterior Pituitary Hormones
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulates the thyroid gland to release thyroid hormones.
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulates the adrenal cortex to release hormones.
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulates gamete production in the gonads.
- Luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulates androgen production by gonads.
Gonadotropins & Gonads
- Gonadotropins (LH and FSH) are released by the anterior pituitary gland in response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus.
- Gonadotropins target the gonads (testes in males and ovaries in females).
Testosterone
- Primary male sex hormone (androgen).
- Produced in small amounts in females by ovaries and adrenal glands.
- Crucial for development of male reproductive tissues (testes and prostate).
- Stimulates spermatogenesis (sperm production) in testes.
- Responsible for secondary sexual characteristics (increased muscle mass, deeper voice, facial and body hair).
- Maintains libido (sex drive) and contributes to normal erectile function.
- In females, testosterone contributes to libido, mood regulation, body hair, and bone health.
Estrogen
- Primary female sex hormone produced mainly by the ovaries and placenta during pregnancy.
- Regulates menstrual cycle by stimulating follicle growth and maturation.
- Prepares the uterine lining (endometrium) for implantation.
- Promotes secondary sexual characteristics (breast development, body fat distribution, widening of the hips).
- Regulates growth of reproductive organs (uterus, fallopian tubes, and vagina) during puberty.
- Maintains vaginal health by keeping the vaginal lining thick and lubricated.
Progesterone
- Female sex hormone primarily produced by the corpus luteum after ovulation and the placenta during pregnancy.
- Maintains uterine lining, making it receptive for implantation after ovulation.
- Supports embryo development in early pregnancy and prevents uterine contractions.
- Maintains a healthy pregnancy by suppressing the maternal immune response to the fetus during pregnancy.
- Prepares mammary glands for milk production after childbirth.
Gonadotropins & Gonads (cont.)
- In the testes, LH stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone.
- In the testes, FSH, along with testosterone, acts on Sertoli cells to promote spermatogenesis.
- In the ovaries, FSH stimulates follicle growth and maturation.
- Rising estrogen levels trigger an LH surge, causing ovulation (egg release).
- The ruptured follicle forms the corpus luteum, producing progesterone and estrogen to prepare the uterus for pregnancy.
Feedback Regulation of Sex Hormones
- Sex hormones (testosterone, estrogen, progesterone) feed back to the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to regulate GnRH, LH, and FSH production.
- Negative Feedback: Product decreases its own production, keeping hormone levels within a narrow range. Examples include high testosterone inhibiting GnRH, LH, and FSH in males and high estrogen and progesterone inhibiting GnRH, LH, and FSH in females.
- Positive Feedback: Product increases its own production, causing conditions to become increasingly extreme. Example in females: Rising estrogen levels can briefly cause a positive feedback loop leading to an LH surge that triggers ovulation.
Sexual Differentiation
- Process by which males and females develop distinct characteristics, beginning in the womb and continuing through early childhood.
- Involves development of reproductive organs, secondary sexual characteristics, and other gender-specific traits.
Male Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology
- Semen: Protective fluid that surrounds sperm.
- Testes: Produce and secrete male sex hormones (including testosterone) and sperm.
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Hormones crucial for male reproductive system:
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): Produced by the pituitary gland, necessary for sperm production (spermatogenesis).
- Luteinizing hormone (LH): Produced by the pituitary gland, essential for spermatogenesis.
- Testosterone: Main male sex hormone, responsible for developing characteristics such as muscle mass, strength, fat distribution, bone mass, and sex drive.
External Male Reproductive Organs
- Penis: Male organ used for sexual intercourse, comprised of root, shaft, and glans.
- Scrotum: Sac that holds the testes and regulates their temperature.
- Testes: Produce sperm and testosterone.
- Epididymis: Long, coiled tube atop each testicle that carries and stores sperm cells, bringing them to maturity.
- Vas Deferens: Muscular tube that transports mature sperm from epididymis to urethra.
Internal Male Reproductive Organs
- Ejaculatory Ducts: Formed by the union of the vas deferens and seminal vesicle ducts, they carry sperm and fluid through the prostate gland.
- Urethra: Tube that carries urine from the bladder and semen during ejaculation.
- Seminal Vesicle: Sac-like pouches that produce the majority of ejaculatory fluid (including fructose, an energy source for sperm).
- Prostate Gland: Walnut-sized gland that adds fluid to ejaculate, nourishing sperm.
- Bulbourethral (Cowper) Glands: Pea-sized structures that secrete a lubricating fluid that neutralizes acids in the urethra.
Female Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology
- Internal and External organs: Create hormones, responsible for fertility, menstruation, and sexual activity.
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External Genitals (Vulva): Protects internal parts from infection and allows sperm entry.
- Labia majora (Large Lips): Encloses and protects other external organs, develops hair during puberty.
- Labia minora (Small Lips): Surround the vaginal and urethral openings, sensitive and easily irritated.
- Clitoris: Small, sensitive protrusion comparable to the penis, covered by the prepuce.
- Vaginal Opening: Allows menstrual blood and babies to exit.
- Hymen: Tissue covering or surrounding the vaginal opening, present at birth.
- Urethral Opening: Hole for urination.
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Internal Organs:
- Vagina: Muscular canal that joins the cervix to the outside, allows passage of a baby and expands to accommodate tampons.
- Cervix: Lower part of the uterus, allows sperm entry and menstrual blood exit, dilates during childbirth.
- Uterus: Hollow, pear-shaped organ that holds a fetus during pregnancy, composed of cervix and corpus.
- Ovaries: Produce eggs and hormones.
- Fallopian Tubes: Narrow tubes that transport eggs from ovaries to the uterus, where fertilization normally occurs.
Breasts and Reproduction
- Female/AFAB: Breasts are both functional (breastfeeding/chestfeeding) and sexual.
- Male/AMAB: No physiological function, but can provide sexual pleasure.
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Breast Tissue:
- Glandular: Produces milk during lactation.
- Connective (Fibrous): Holds glandular and fatty tissue in place.
- Fatty: Determines breast size.
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Description
This quiz covers the function and effects of anterior pituitary hormones such as TSH, ACTH, LH, and FSH, as well as their role in stimulating gonads and testosterone production. Test your knowledge on how these hormones influence human reproduction and development. Ideal for students of endocrinology or biology courses.
