Chapter 46 Vocabulary
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Asexual reproduction- the generation of offspring from a single parent that occurs w/out
the fusion of gametes.
Sexual reproduction- a type of reproduction in which two parents give rise to offspring
that have unique characteristics of genes inherited from the gametes of the parents.
Gamete- a haploid reproductive cell, such as an egg or sperm. Gametes unite during
sexual reproduction to produce a diploid zygote.
Zygote- the diploid product of the union of haploid gametes during fertilization; a
fertilized egg.
Ovum- female gamete
Spermatozoon-one of the minute, usually actively motile gametes in semen, which serve
to fertilize the ovum.
The separation of an organism into two or more individual of approximately equal size.
Budding- asexual reproduction in which outgrowths from the parent form and pinch off
to live independently or else remain attached to eventually form extensive colonies.
Gemmule- an asexually reproduced mass of cells that is capable of developing into and
animal.
Fragmentation- a means of asexual reproduction whereby a single parent breaks into
different parts that regenerate into whole new individuals.
Regeneration- the restoration or new growth by an organism of organs, tissues, etc, that
have been lost, removed or injured.
Parthenogenesis- asexually reproducing in which females produce offspring from
unfertilized eggs.
Hermaphroditism- a condition in which an individual has both female and males gonads
and functions as both a male and female in sexual reproduction by producing both sperm
and eggs.
Protogynous- of a pertaining flower in which the shedding of pollen occurs after the
stigma has stopped being receptive; having female sex organs maturing before the male.
Protandrous- producing male gametes before female gametes.
Fertilization-the union of haploid gametes to produce a diploid zygote.
External fertilization- the fusion of gametes that parents have discharged into the
environment.
Internal fertilization- the fusion if eggs and sperm within the female reproductive tract.
The sperm are typically deposited in or near the tract.
Pheromone- in animals and fungi, a small molecule released into the environment that
functions in communication between members of the same species. In animals it acts
much like a hormone in influencing physiology and behavior.
Gonad- the male and female sex organs; the gamete-producing organs in most organism
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Spermatheca- in many insects, a sac in the female reproductive system where sperm are
stored,
Cloaca-a common opening for the digestive, urinary, and reproductive tracts found in
many nonmammalian vertebrates but in few mammals.
Testes(testis)-the male reproductive organ, or gonad, in which sperm and reproductive
hormones are produced.
Seminiferous tubules- a highly coiled tube in the testis in which sperm are produced.
Leydig cell- a cell that produces testosterone and other androgens and is located between
the seminiferous tubules of the testes.
Scrotum- a pouch of skin outside the abdomen that houses the testes; functions in
maintaining the testes at the lower temperature required for spermatogenesis.
Epididymis- a coiled tubule located adjacent to the mammalian testis where sperm are
located.
Vas deferens- in mammals, the tube in the male reproductive system in which sperm
travel from the epididymis to the urethra.
Ejaculatory duct-in mammals, the short section of the ejaculatory route formed by the
convergence of the vas deferens and a duct from the seminal vesicle. The ejaculatory duct
transports sperm from the vas deferens to the urethra
Urethra- a tube that releases urine from the mammalian body near the vagina in females
and through the penis in males, also serves in males as the exit tube for th reproductive
system.
Semen- the fluid that is ejaculated by the male during orgasm; contains sperm and
secretion from several glands of the male reproductive tract.
Seminal vesicle- a land in males that secretes a fluid component of semen that lubricates
and nourishes sperm.
Prostate gland- a gland in human males that secretes an acid-neutralizing component of
semen.
Bulbourethral gland- two small racemose glands in the male that are located below the
prostate and discharge a component of the seminal fluid into the urethra.
Penis- the copulatory structure of male mammals.
Baculum- a bony suppor in the penis of certain mammals, especially the carnivores.
Glans penis- the rounded structure at the tip of the penis that is involved in sexual
arousal.
Prepuce- a fold of skin covering the head of the penis/clitoris.
Ovary- in animals, the structure that produces female gametes and reproductive
hormones.
Follicle- a microscopic structure in the ovary that contains the developing oocyte and
secretes estrogens.
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Ovulation- the release of an egg from and ovary. In humans, an ovarian follicle releases
an egg during each uterine (menstrual) cycle.
Corpus luteum-a secreting tissue in the ovary that forms from the collapsed follicle after
ovulation and produces progesterone.
Oviduct- a tube passing from the ovary to the vagina un invertebrates or the uterus in
vertebrates, aka fallopian tube.
Uterus- a female organ where eggs are fertilized and/or development of the young occurs.
Endometrium- the inner lining of the uterus, which is richly supplied with blood vessels
Cervix- the neck of the uterus, which opens into the vagina
Vagina- part of the female reproductive system between the uterus and the outside
opening; the birth canal in mammals. During copulation, the vagina accommodates the
male’s penis and receives sperm.
Hymen- a thin membrane that partly covers the vaginal opening in the human female.
The hymen is ruptured by sexual intercourse or other vigorous activity.
Vestibule- any various cavities or hollows regarded as forming and approach or entrance
to another cavity or space
Labia minora- a pair of slender skin folds that surrounds the openings of the vagina and
urethra
Labia majora- a pair of thick, fatty ridges that encloses and protects the rest of the vulva
Clitoris- an organ at the upper intersection of the labia minora that engorges with blood
and becomes erect during sexual arousal.
Bartholin’s glands- two small reddish-yellow glands, one on each side of the vaginal
orifice, that secrete a mucus lubricating substance during sexual stimulation in females.
Mammary glands- exocrine glands that secrete milk to nourish the young. These glands
are characteristic to mammals.
Vasocongestion- the filling of a tissue with blood, caused by increased blood flow
through the arteries of that tissue.
Myotonia- increased muscle tension, characteristic of sexual arousal in certain human
tissues.
Coitus- the insertion of a penis into a vagina; aka sexual intercourse.
Orgasm- rhythmic, involuntary contractions of certain reproductive structures in both
sexes during the human sexual response cycle.
Spermatogenesis- the continuous and prolific production of mature sperm cells in the
testis.
Spermatogonia-one of the undifferentiated germ cells giving rise to spermatocytes.
Acrosome- a vesicle in the tip of a sperm containing hydrolytic enzymes and other
proteins that help the sperm reach the egg.
Oogenesis- the process in which the ovary results in the production of female gametes.
Oogonia- a cell that divides mitotically to form oocytes.
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Primary oocyte- an oocyte prior to completion of meiosis I
Secondary oocyte- an oocyte that had completed the first of the two meiotic divisions.
Menstrual cycle- in humans and certain other primates, a type of reproductive cycle in
which the nonpregnant endometrium is shed through the cervix into the vagina.
Estrous cycle- a reproductive cycle characteristics of female mammals except humans
and other primates, in which the nonpregnant endometrium is reabsorbed rather than
shed, and sexual response occurs only during mid-cycle at estrus.
Menstruation- the shedding of proportions of the endometrium during a uterine
(menstrual) cycle.
Estrus- the period of heat or rut; the periods of maximum sexual receptivity of the female.
Menstrual flow phase- that portion of the uterine cycle when menstrual bleeding occurs.
Proliferative phase- that portion of the uterine cycle when the endometrium regenerates
and thickens.
Secretory phase- that portion of the uterine cycle when the endometrium continues to
thicken, becomes more vascularized, and develops glands that secrete a fluid rich in
glycogen.
Ovarian cycle- the cyclic recurrence of the follicular phase, ovulation, and the luteal
phase in the mammalian ovary, regulated by hormones.
Follicular phase- that part of the ovarian cycle during which follicles are growing and
oocytes maturing.
Luteal phase- that portion of the ovarian cycle during which endocrine cells of the corpus
luteum secrete female hormones.
Pregnancy- the condition of carrying one or more embryos in the uterus.
Gestation- Pregnancy; the state of carrying developing young within the female
reproductive tract.
Embryo- the female gametophyte of angiosperms, formed from the growth and division
of the megaspore into multicellular structure that typically has eight haploid nuclei.
Conception- the fertilization of an egg by a sperm in humans.
Trimester- in human development, one of the three 3-month-long periods of pregnancy.
Cleavage- the succession if rapid cell divisions without significant growth during early
embryonic development that converts the zygote to ball of cells.
Blastocyst- the blastula stage of mammalian embryonic development, consisting of an
inner cell mass, a cavity, and an outer layer, the trophoblast. In humans, the blastocyst
forms one week after fertilization.
Placenta- a structure in the pregnant uterus for nourishing a viviparous fetus with the
mother’s blood supply; formed from the uterine lining and embryonic membranes.
Organogenesis-th process in which organ rudiments develop from three germ layers after
gastrulation.
Fetus-a developing mammal that has all the major structures of an adult.
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Human chrorionic gonadotropin(HCG)- a hormone secreted by the chorion that
maintains the corpus luteum of the ovary during the first three months of pregnancy.
Labor-a series of strong, rhythmic contractions of the uterus that expel a baby out of the
uterus and vagina during child birth.
Lactation-the continued production of mild from the mammary glands.
Contraception-the deliberate prevention of pregnancy
Rhythm method-a form of contraception that relies on refraining from sexual intercourse
when contraception is the most likely to occur (aka natural family planning)
Barrier methods- contraception that relies in a physical barrier to block the passage of
sperm.
Condom –thin latex rubber or natural membrane sheath that fits over the penis to collect
sperm
Diaphragm- a dome-shaped rubber cup that is fitted into the upper portion of the vagina
before sexual intercourse.
Birth control pills-a chemical contraceptive that inhibits ovulation, retards follicular
development, or alters a woman’s cervical mucus to prevent sperm from entering.
Tubal ligation-means of sterilization in which woman’s two oviducts are tied closed to
prevent eggs from reaching the uterus.
Vasectomy-the cutting and sealing of each vas deferens to prevent sperm from entering
the urethra.
In vitro fertilization- fertilization of oocytes in lab containers followed by artificial
implantation of the early embryo in the mother’s uterus.