11. 4 HL Reproduction ( Read pages 306 – 317 In your IB Biologybook)
Know the definition to the following vocabulary words:
Spermatogenesis
Oogenesis
Mitosis
Oogonia
Meiosis
Oocyte
Germinal epithelium
Polar body
Primary follicles
epididymis seminal vesicle
Mature follicles
prostate gland
Secondary follicle
acrosome reaction
cortical reaction
blastocyst.
Placenta
amniotic sac
amniotic fluid
amniotic membranes
oxytocin levels
Address the IB Assessment Statements Below:
11.4.1 Annotate a light micrograph of testis tissue to show the location and function
of interstitial cell (leydig cells), germinal epithelium cells, developing spermatozoa, and
Sertoli cells
11.4.2 Outline the processes involved in spermatogenesis within the testis, including
mitosis, cell growth, the two divisions of meiosis and cell differentiation.
11.4.3 State the role of LH, testosterone and FSH in spermatogenesis.
Annotate a diagram of the ovary to show the location and function of germinal
epithelium, primary follicles, mature follicle and secondary oocyte.
11.4.4 Annotate a diagram of the ovary to show the location and function of germinal
epithelium, primary follicles, mature follicles, and secondary oocytes
11.4.5 Outline the processes involved in oogenesis within the ovary, including mitosis, cell
growth, the two divisions of meiosis, the unequal division of cytoplasm and the
degeneration of polar body. The terms oogonia and primary oocyte are not required.
11.4.6 Draw and label a diagram of a mature sperm and egg.
11.4.7 Outline the role of the epididymis seminal vesicle and prostate gland in the production
of semen. spermatogenesis and oogenesis, including the number of gametes and the
timing of the formation and release of gametes.
11.4.8 Compare the process of spermatogenesis and oogenesis, including number of
gametes and the timing of the formation and release of gametes.
11.4.9 Describe the process of fertilization, including the acrosome reaction, penetration of
the egg membrane by a sperm and the cortical reaction.
11.4.10 Outline the role of HCG in early pregnancy.
11.4.11 Outline early embryo development up to the implantation of the blastocyst.
11.4.12 Explain how the structure and functions of the placenta, including its hormonal role in
secretion of estrogen and progesterone, maintain pregnancy.
11.4.13 State that the fetus is supported and protected by the amniotic sac and amniotic fluid.
11.4.14 State that materials are exchanged between the maternal and fetal blood in the
placenta.
11.4.15 Outline the process of birth and its hormonal control, including the changes in
progesterone and oxytocin levels and positive feedback
Practice Questions (optional)
1. Define the following:
Haploid sex cell, which fuses with another gamete in fertilization. Sperm and
Gamete
eggs. (1)
Oogenesis
Spermatogenesis
Fertilisation
Gestation
2. Label the structures of the mature sperm and egg and calculate the magnification of
each image.
a follicle cells
b
c
d
e
f
g
Magnification:
h
i head
j
k
l
Magnification:
3. Label this diagram of the male reproductive system.
a
vas deferens
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
4. Annotate this light micrograph of testis tissue.
a
interstitial cells
produce testosterone.
b
c
d
5. State the roles of the following hormones in spermatogenesis.
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Testosterone
Follicle stimulating hormone
(FSH)
6. State three other roles of the male sexual hormone testosterone.



7. Outline the process of spermatogenesis in the testes.
8. Outline the role of the following structures in semen production.
epididymis
seminal vesicle
prostate gland
9. Label this diagram of the female reproductive system.
Annotate each structure with its function.
a. uterus
Muscular womb for development of fetus
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Name these structures:
g
kidney
h
i
10. Label and annotate these structures of the ovary.
a
germinal epithelium
Constant mitosis produces primary follicles.
b
c
d
j
e
f
11. Outline oogenesis.
12. Compare spermatogenesis and oogenesis.
Spermatogenesis
Oogenesis
Number of gametes
produced per primary cell
Formation of gametes
Constant after puberty
Number of meiotic
divisions
Method of release of
gametes
Number of gametes
released
Ovulation, controlled by LH
Millions
Hormones used
Location
13. Outline the roles and origins of these menstrual cycle hormones.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Origin: pituitary gland (brain)
Role:
Luteinzing Hormone (LH)
Origin:
Role:
Oestrogen
Origin: ovary
Role:
Progesterone
Origin:
Role:
14. State the role of these two hormones in the female reproductive system.
HCG:
Oxytocin:
15. Deduce the hormones and events required to complete this concept map.
You may print this page.
16. The graph below shows the human menstrual cycle.
a. Sketch the changes in the endometrium over the cycle.
b. Outline the events of the menstrual cycle, including the roles of the various
hormones.
1-4 Days
Follicular phase
Events:
5-14 Days
Ovulatory phase
Events:
14-28 Days
Events:
Luteal phase
17. Distinguish between fertilization and pregnancy.

18. Describe the process of fertilization of an egg by a sperm.
acrosome reaction
19. The contraceptive pill manipulates the hormones of the menstrual cycle in order to
prevent unwanted pregnancy.
a. The combined pill contains oestrogen and progestin (a synthetic form of
progesterone). Explain how this combination might prevent pregnancy.
b. The package of pills usually contains 21 pills of the hormone and 7 ‘placebo’ pills.
These placebo pills can contain an iron supplement. Deduce the function of these
pills.
20. The ‘rhythm method’ is used in family planning and contraception.
Identify the days of the cycle during which a woman is:
a. Most likely to conceive
o
b. Least likely to conceive.
a.
21. Evaluate the following methods of contraception.
Effectiveness for…
Contraception
Protection against STI’s
Oral contraceptive
pill
Rhythm method
Condoms
22. Outline the process of in-vitro fertilisation.
1 FSH and LH are given in high
doses to the potential mother in
order to stimulate production of
multiple ova.
2
3
4
5
6
23. Discuss the ethical issues of IVF.
Arguments for
Arguments against
Reading: IVF Wins Nobel Prize for Medicine 2010!
http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/2010/press.html
24. HCG is released early in the pregnancy if a blastocyst implants on the endometrium.
a. State the origin of HCG.
Function
Inhibits…
b. Outline two functions of HCG in early pregnancy.
Advantage
FSH and LH
Maintains…
c. HCG can be detected in the urine. Identify the type of immune system
molecule used to detect HCG in pregnancy kits.
d. State the method used to produce these molecules for the test kits.
25. Early embryonic development.
a. State the method of cell division used in embryonic development.
b. Outline the events leading up to implantation of the blastocyst on the
endometrium.
26. The developing fetus is protected and served by the placenta, amniotic sac and umbilical
cord.
State the function of the amniotic sac and
fluid.
Identify the hormones released by the
placenta.
List the materials exchanged between the
fetal and maternal blood.
Mother to fetus:

Fetus to mother:

27. Explain how the following structures of the placenta aid its function.
Umbilical cord
Villi
Inter-villus spaces
Blood supply
Membrane
Rough
endoplasmic
reticulum in cells
28. Birth is controlled by positive feedback mechanisms in the body, which is in contrast to
the negative feedback mechanisms of homeostasis.
a. State the name of the ‘birth hormone’.
b. Explain why regulation of this hormone is classed as positive feedback control.
c. Outline the process of birth and its hormonal control.
o Progesterone levels drop
o Fetal head engages in cervix
o
o
o
o
o
o
Links across the syllabus:
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





How do sexual reproduction and meiosis ensure variation in the population?
How does the oxygen in the maternal blood get into the fetal blood?
What similarities are there between the structures of the placenta and other human
body systems?
How are twins produced and how does polygenic inheritance lead to variation in some
characteristics (e.g. skin colour) between non-fraternal twins?
How does gene expression lead to differences in the phenotypes of fraternal twins,
despite their sharing DNA?
What is prenatal testing and how is it applied in pregnancy?
What are the risks of late-age pregnancy?
How many more links across the syllabus can you find and explain?
Works Cited
1. Taylor, Stephen. 6.6 Reproduction Core (Presentation). Science Video Resources. [Online]
Wordpress, December 2010. http://sciencevideos.wordpress.com.
2. Allott, Andrew. IB Study Guide: Biology for the IB Diploma. s.l. : Oxford University Press, 2007.
978-0-19-915143-1.
3. Mindorff, D and Allott, A. Biology Course Companion. Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2007.
978-099151240.
4. Clegg, CJ. Biology for the IB Diploma. London : Hodder Murray, 2007. 978-0340926529.
5. Campbell N., Reece J., Taylor M., Simon. E. Biology Concepts and Connections. San Fransisco :
Pearson Benjamin Cummings, 2006. 0-8053-7160-5.
6. Burrell, John. Click4Biology. [Online] 2010. http://click4biology.info/.
7. IBO. Biology Subject Guide. [Online] 2007.
http://xmltwo.ibo.org/publications/migrated/productionapp2.ibo.org/publication/7/part/2/chapter/1.html.
8. —. IB Biology QuestionBank 1st Edition. [CD-Rom] Oxford, UK : IBO, 2005.
http://store.ibo.org/product_info.php?products_id=1224.