Chapter 2 The Female Reproductive System

Produces eggs, estrogen (follicle cells)  & progesterone (corpus luteum cells)

Transport oocyte / preembryo to uterus. Fertilization occurs in the upper 1/3rd of the oviduct

Site where embryo / fetus develops

Neck of the uterus, opens into the vagina

Passageway for menstrual flow; repository for sperm; birth canal.

Erectile tissue of female

Skin folds that enclose the clitoris, vaginal and urethral openings.

Lined with cilia; transport egg/embryo to uterus; site of fertilization; site of capacitation

Produce eggs (oocytes) & steroid hormones (estrogens & progestins)

Transport oocyte/preembryo to uterus. 

Fertilization occurs in _______________.

Site where embryo/fetus develops

Neck of the uterus, opens into the vagina.

Passageway for menstrual flow; repository for sperm; birth canal.

Small, finger like projections at the end of the fallopian tubes that help sweep the ovum into the fallopian tube

The innermost layer of the uterus

The middle layer of the uterus

The outermost layer of the uterus

Endometrium; site of implantation

Opening to uterus

Receives sperm; birth canal

What is the pathway of sperm?

The _________ is watery around time of ovulation.

Pockets that serve as temporary reservoirs for sperm

Sperm can live in the cervical crypts for __________.

Sperm reach the secondary oocyte in ________.

Capacitation before fertilization takes ___________.

The 4 life stages of the ovary:

Egg production and steroid hormone production takes place in this life stage of the ovary.

A _______ consists of an immature germ cell (oocyte) surrounded by 1 or more layers of non-germinating cells.

In the prenatal stage, PGC's migrate to genital ridges in __________.

In the prenatal stage, PGC's differentiate to form oogonia (diploid) in _______.

In the prenatal stage, PGC's undergo ________ to make millions (6-7) of oogonia (diploid).

In the prenatal stage, oogonia (diploid) begin ________ forming primary oocytes (diploid) but stop/arrest in __________.

Prenatal (Before Birth) Stage Events:

The millions (6-7) of primary oocytes arrest in Prophase I (Meiosis I) are held within a ______________.

Most follicles will undergo __________.

Degeneration of the follicles is known as __________.

Most of the primary oocytes arrested in Prophase I in primordial follicles will undergo __________.

At birth, only __________ oocytes remain, and less than __________ remain at puberty.

From prenatal to prepuberty, the primary oocytes remain ____________.

In prepuberty, primary oocytes (diploid) will remain ___________.

As puberty approaches, __________, __________, and some __________ will be developing.

Marked by single flat granulosa layer becoming thick and cube shaped cells.

Marked by multiple layers of granulosa cells and formation of the Zona pellucida (glycoprotein layer) & follicle membrane appear.

The glycoprotein layer that encloses the primary oocyte in a secondary follicle.

The secondary follicle is marked by __________ and the ____________.

Primordial, primary & secondary follicles are all generally referred to as ____________.

__________ means before the antrum.

__________, __________ & __________ are all generally referred to as preantral follicles.

Tertiary & Graafian follicles are known as __________ because they have an __________.

__________ & __________ are known as antral follicles because they have an antrum.

What is an antrum?

At this stage, the antrum (fluid filled cavity) appears, and Theca cells are seen on outer surface of follicle membrane.

In the Antral follicle (Tertiary) the __________ appears, and ____________ are seen on outer surface of follicle membrane.

In this stage, a primary oocyte (diploid) is going to be activated every 28 days (cycle)

In the puberty stage, a primary oocyte (diploid) is going to be activated every __________.

In the puberty stage, a primary oocyte (within a growing follicle) is going to be undergoing development into a completed __________ and grow into a mature follicle called a __________.

A mature follicle is called a ___________.

In a Graafian follicle (mature follicle), the __________ is greatly enlarged; __________ & __________ appears.

__________ before ovulation the Tertiary follicle transforms into a mature follicle, or __________.

The __________are what is ovulated on day 14 of the menstrual cycle.

Progression from Primordial ---> Graafian ~ 9 Months

In Puberty ---> Menopause, an __________ surge is going to occur, followed by _____ and _____ surges around __________ of the menstrual cycle.

In the ____________ stage, an estrogen surge is going to occur, followed by LH and FSH surges around day 12 of the menstrual cycle.

The estrogen, LH and FSH surges around day 12 of the menstrual cycle trigger:

__________ is what will be ovulated on day 14 of the menstrual cycle.

A secondary oocyte arrested in Metaphase II in the mature Graafian follicle is what will be ovulated on ___________.

The follicle will rupture out of the ovary and be drawn into the waiting _____________.

Where the follicle ruptured out of the ovary, that space in the ovary is going to ___________.

Lipids will accumulate and it will form the __________.

Granulosa & Theca cells of the ruptured follicle are transformed into __________.

Progesterone secreted by the corpus luteum will ________________.

If fertilization does NOT occur:

If fertilization DOES occur:

Sperm penetration will trigger:

Will trigger the secondary oocyte to complete Meiosis II, thus forming the ovum and forming 2nd polar body:

The __________ is formed when pronucli of male and pronucli of the female fuse together.

Once the zygote is implanted into the endometrium of the uterus:

Once the zygote is implanted into the __________ of the uterus, the zygote will secrete __________.

__________ will keep the __________ hormonally active (estrogen & progesterone) and the __________ will remain in place to support the embryo with its hormones for ~ 3 months as the __________ forms.

In this phase the uterus is prepared for implantation of a fertilized egg

The __________ cells secrete progesterone and estrogen

__________ is required to maintain pregnancy & inhibits the release of _____ and _____.

If fertilization and implantation OCCURS, the __________ is retained.

If implantation DOES NOT occur, the __________ degenerates. And, __________ and __________ levels drop.

Use the diagram of the female anatomy below.  This part of the female anatomy contains cilia that will assist the sperm in reaching the egg and is where sperm capacitation and fertilization also occur.   

Use the diagram of the female anatomy below.  Secondary follicles can be found here.

Implantation of the embryo occurs

A)  cervix
B)  uterus
C)  vagina
D)  ovary
E)  fimbriae and uterine tube (oviduct)

Use the diagram of the female anatomy below.  Where is the endometrium located? 

Which follicle will contain a 1⁰ oocyte arrested in Prophase I?


A)  Choices A and B
B)  Tertiary
C)  Primordial,Primary, and Secondary
D)  Choices B and C
E)  Graafian

Use the diagram of the female anatomy below.  What structure will secrete progesterone?

Which follicle type is antral?

A)  Primordial
B)  Tertiary
C)  Choices A, B and C
D)  Primary
E)  Secondary

When does the zona pellucida first form?

A)  Primordial
B)  Tertiary
C)  Graafian
D)  Secondary
E)  Primary

Which of the following are haploid (n)?

A)  1⁰ oocyte arrested in Prophase I
B)  oogonia
C)  2⁰ oocyte arrested in Metaphase II
D)  ovum
E)  Both A and B
F)  Both C and D

What type of follicle?



A)  Primordial
B)  Tertiary
C)  Primary
D)  Secondary
E)  Graafian

What is the signal for the secondary oocyte to complete meiosis II?

A)  ovulation
B)  hormone secretions from the corpus luteum
C)  sperm penetration of the gamete
D)  implantation into the endometrium
E)  sexual intercourse

What type of oocyte is contained in the follicle depicted in this picture?

What is the name of the structure numbered 3 in this diagram?  

What happens if fertilization does not occur?

A) corpus luteum degrades into the corpus albicans or white body
B) the uterine tube reabsorbs the
female gamete
C) the female gamete comes out in the menstrual cycle
D) a cyst forms and fills with lipids
E) meiosis II completes and a second polar body is formed
F) Choices A and B
G) Choices A and C
H) Choices A and D
I) Choices B and E

In the female reproductive system, a mature follicle or Graafian follicle contains

A)  A secondary (2ᵒ) oocyte arrested in Prophase I of meiosis
B)  A primary (1º) oocyte arrested in Prophase I of meiosis
C)  A secondary (2ᵒ) oocyte arrested in Metaphase I of meiosis with 1 polar body
D)  A primary (1º) oocyte arrested in Metaphase I of meiosis

A zygote is formed when the

A)  Preembryo embeds in the endometrium
B)  Acrosomal reaction occurs
C)  The zona pellucida is penetrated by the sperm
D)  Mucus plug that covers the opening of the cervix becomes watery
E)  Female and male pronucli fuse