Reproductive System Concept Questions

1. Explain how each of the following could be seen as an adaptation that helps to ensure fertilization: seminal fluid, production of millions of sperm, cilia lining the walls of the oviducts.

2. Why is the ejaculatory duct important to help increase the chance of fertilization?

3. All humans start out as females but those with a y chromosome become males during early embryonic development. As we would expect, females and males have analogous structures that have slightly different functions. Which female structure is analogous to the male

a) testes?

b) vas deferens?

c) penis?

4. It is important that only one sperm fertilize an egg. What would be the result if multiple sperm fertilized a single egg?

5. What important substances must pass through the placenta?

6. Sometimes physical trauma to the mother can affect the fetus. How would partial detachment of the placenta from the endometrium affect the fetus?

7. When is the fertile period during the menstrual cycle? Why is the female only fertile during this period?

8. Explain why ectopic pregnancies are dangerous.

9. Why is estrogen at its highest just before ovulation and why is this important?

10. What hormone changes trigger the beginning of a new menstrual cycle?

11. The fetus is unable to breathe oxygen or eat in utero. How does it get oxygen and nutrients?

12. Before birth, the male testes descend from the abdominal cavity into the scrotum. Explain why testes that fail to descend cannot produce sperm.

13. Explain why it is important that the menstrual cycle is stopped during pregnancy and how hormones achieve this.

14. What would happen if the corpus luteum disintegrated during pregnancy?

15. Explain how negative feedback regulates the level of FSH during the menstrual cycle.

16. How does the birth control pill prevent pregnancy? Why would a woman not take birth control pills for the entire 28 days of the menstrual cycle? On which days of the menstrual cycle would the pill not be taken?

17. Suppose a woman’s oviducts were blocked. Would she produce ova? Could she become pregnant?

18. Why do you think doctors recommend that women avoid most medications and alcohol during pregnancy?

19. Can a woman who has reached menopause ever become pregnant? Explain.

20. If a woman is past her due date or complications are suspected, her obstetrician might induce labor. How do you think this could be done?