1. The Reproductive System27
The Reproductive System

2. What is the primary function of the reproductive system?
To produce gametes
To produce reproductive hormones
To promote growth
To promote maturation
Answer: a. To produce gametes

3. The testes are housed in the ______, which __________.
testicle; elevates sperm development temperature
epididymis; provides energy to the sperm
scrotum; lowers sperm development temperature
dartos muscle; lowers the scrotum
Answer: c. scrotum; lowers sperm development temperature

4. Testosterone production would plummet. Estrogen levels would decrease.
What metabolic effect would you expect if someone developed an autoimmune disease in which the person’s interstitial cells were destroyed?
Testosterone production would plummet.
Estrogen levels would decrease.
Testosterone levels would soar.
Estrogen levels would increase.
Answer: a. Testosterone production would plummet.

5. The ________ of the penis fill(s) with blood during sexual arousal, causing an erection.
corpus spongiosum
corpora cavernosa
urethra
glans penis
Answer: b. corpora cavernosa

6. The _______ is (are) the main sperm-carrying duct that deposits sperm into the female reproductive tract.
epididymis
ductus deferens
seminiferous tubules
urethra
Answer: d. urethra

7. The ______ is (are) responsible for producing semen.
testes
seminal vesicles
prostate gland
b and c
Answer: d. b and c

8. As many as _______ sperm can be released with each ejaculation.
300
3000
750 million
750 trillion
Answer: c million

9. Which of the following components in semen stimulates the uterus to contract in reverse peristalsis?
Fructose
Seminalplasmin
Alkaline fluid
Prostaglandins
Answer: d. Prostaglandins

10. the separation of homologous chromosomes
Meiosis results in sperm formation in males. The critical meiotic step(s) that will ensure proper chromosome number in the resulting offspring is (are) ________.
the separation of homologous chromosomes
fertilization of the egg
the separation of sister chromatids
both a and c
Answer: d. both a and c

11. primary spermatocytes spermatozoa spermatogonia
Unlike females, males produce gametes throughout life due to the presence of ________ in their seminiferous tubules.
type A daughter cells
primary spermatocytes
spermatozoa
spermatogonia
Answer: d. spermatogonia

12. A man and his wife have been unable to conceive a child
A man and his wife have been unable to conceive a child. When examined, the man’s sperm are viable, swim unidirectionally, and are present in higher than average quantities. Which of the following could explain the inability of his sperm to penetrate an egg?
The sperm may have the improper chromosome number.
The midpiece contains too many mitochondria.
The acrosomal cap is deficient in the enzymes necessary to penetrate the egg.
The tail is longer than average.
Answer: c. The acrosomal cap is deficient in the enzymes necessary to penetrate the egg.

13. Which of the following hormones do males secrete?
Testosterone
FSH LH
All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above

14. The brain might have a female orientation.
If testosterone were ineffective during development of a male’s brain, what might be the outcome?
The brain would develop without any noticeable difference from other males.
The brain might have a female orientation.
Gender identity may be ambiguous.
Both b and c are possible.
Answer: d. Both b and c are possible.

15. In a female, which of the following structures houses the oocytes?
Ovarian medulla
Fallopian tubes
Uterus
Ovarian cortex
Answer: d. Ovarian cortex

16. Female reproductive hormones are produced by the ________.
primary oocytes
uterus
follicle cells
ovarian medulla
Answer: c. follicle cells

17. Ovulated oocytes enter the fallopian tubes:
directly, from contact with the ovary.
via undulations of the fimbriae that draw in the oocyte.
via diffusion.
via muscular contractions of the infundibulum expelling the oocyte at a rate of 200 m/sec.
Answer: b. via undulations of the fimbriae that draw in the oocyte.

18. The _______ of the uterus receives the embryo and provides nourishment until the placenta is formed.
endometrium
myometrium
perimetrium
epimetrium
Answer: a. endometrium

19. The pH of the vagina is normally acidic, which keeps bacterial growth in check, but the vagina is still home to many bacteria and yeast in balance with each other. Occasionally, when a female takes antibiotics for a bacterial infection, a secondary yeast infection results. Why might this happen?
Yeast flourish and grow in the presence of antibiotics.
Yeast use the antibiotics as nutrient.
The removal of bacteria from the vagina allows yeast to grow at a faster rate than normal.
Yeast infections are a normal circumstance during a woman’s monthly cycle.
Answer: c. The removal of bacteria from the vagina allows yeast to grow at a faster rate than normal.

20. In females, the _______ is (are) the homologous structure to the glans penis in males.
vagina
labia majora
cervix
clitoris
Answer: d. clitoris

21. What might happen in a nonpregnant woman who began taking high levels of progesterone and estrogen supplements followed by high doses of prolactin supplements?
The woman would spontaneously become pregnant.
There would be no detectable change in the woman’s body.
The woman’s mammary glands would begin lactating.
The woman’s vagina and uterus would atrophy.
Answer: c. The woman’s mammary glands would begin lactating.

22. History of no, or short periods of, breast-feeding
Which of the following are risk factors for the development of breast cancer?
History of no, or short periods of, breast-feeding
Early onset of menses and late menopause
Family history of breast cancer
All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above

23. What is the major difference between spermatogenesis and oogenesis?
Spermatogenesis begins while the male fetus is in the uterus.
Oogenesis results in the formation of one viable oocyte whereas spermatogenesis results in the formation of four viable sperm.
Oogenesis is the result of several mitotic divisions.
Oogenesis is complete before ovulation occurs.
Answer: b. Oogenesis results in the formation of one viable oocyte whereas spermatogenesis results in the formation of four viable sperm.

24. LH stimulates the production of ______ by the follicle thecal cells.
estrogen
progesterone
an oocyte
androgens
Answer: d. androgens

25. A woman who wants to ensure conception might buy an “ovulation predictor” kit. Which of the following hormones, when detected by the kit, would be the best indicator of imminent ovulation?
Estrogen
GnRH LH
FSH
Answer: c. LH

26. From a hormonal standpoint, why is the first day of menstrual bleeding counted as the first day of a new cycle rather than as the end of the previous cycle?
Hormone secretion from the pituitary peaks at day 1 and causes menstruation.
Without feedback from a fertilized zygote, the corpus luteum degenerates and pituitary hormones are no longer under ovarian negative feedback.
The cycle is coordinated with ovulation, so each time ovulation occurs, the cycle resets.
Menstrual flow is necessary to allow implantation of a fertilized zygote.
Answer: b. Without feedback from a fertilized zygote, the corpus luteum degenerates and pituitary hormones are no longer under ovarian negative feedback.

27. growth of the mammary glands enlargement of the external genitalia
Which of the following is a secondary sexual characteristic promoted by estrogen?
growth of the mammary glands
enlargement of the external genitalia
stimulation of oogenesis
thickening of cervical mucus
Answer: a. growth of the mammary glands

28. What percentage of sperm carry the Y chromosome?
10%
25%
50%
75%
Answer: c. 50%

29. An embryo in week 9 of development is revealed to be male
An embryo in week 9 of development is revealed to be male. Which of the following structures would be present in this embryo?
Wolffian ducts
Müllerian ducts
Gonadal ducts
Paramesonephric duct
Answer: a. Wolffian ducts

30. In females, _______ is the stage of life when reproductive hormones first begin surging and reproduction is first possible.
menopause
amenorrhea
mittelschmerz
puberty
Answer: d. puberty

31. ________ is the stage of life in females when reproductive hormones decline and menstrual cycles become erratic.
Menopause
Menarche
Mittelschmerz
Puberty
Answer: a. Menopause