The Anatomy and Physiology of Animals/Test Yourselves/The Reproductive System Test Yourself/Reproductive System Test Yourself Answers

1. Add the following labels to the diagram of the male reproductive organs below.
 * testis | epididymis | vas deferens | urethra | penis | scrotal sac | prostate gland



2. Match the following descriptions with the choices given in the list below.
 * accessory glands | vas deferens or sperm duct | penis | scrotum | fallopian tube | testes | urethra | vagina | uterus | ovary | vulva
 * a) The penis delivers semen to the female vagina.
 * b) The sperm are produced in the testes.
 * c) The vas deferens or sperm duct is the passage for sperm from the epididymis to the penis.
 * d) The urethra carries both sperm and urine down the penis.
 * e) Accessory glands produce secretions that make up most of the semen.
 * f) The scrotum is the bag of skin surrounding the testes.
 * g) The foetus develops in the uterus.
 * h) The vagina receives the penis during copulation.
 * i) Fertilisation usually occurs in the fallopian tube.
 * j) Ova travel along the fallopian tube to reach the uterus.
 * k) The ova are produced in the ovary.
 * l) The vulva is the external opening of the vagina.

3. Which hormone is described in each statement below?
 * a) Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulates the growth of the follicles in the ovary.
 * b) Luteinising hormone (LH) converts the empty follicle into the corpus luteum and stimulates it to produce progesterone.
 * c) Oestrogen is produced by the cells of the follicle.
 * d) Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum.
 * e) Oestrogen causes the mammary glands to develop.
 * f) Progesterone prepares the lining of the uterus to receive a fertilised ovum.

4. State whether the following statements are true or false. If false write in the correct answer.

a) Fertilisation of the egg occurs in the uterus.
 * False - Fertilisation normally occurs in the fallopian tube.

b) The fertilised egg cell contains half the normal number of chromosomes.
 * False - Once fertilised the normal (diploid or 2n) number of chromosomes are restored.

c) The morula is a hollow ball of cells.
 * False - The morula is a solid ball of cells. It is the blastocyst that is hollow.

d) Mixing of the blood of the mother and foetus allows nutrients and oxygen to transfer easily to the foetus.
 * False - There is no mixing of foetal and maternal blood in the placenta.

e) The morula implants in the wall of the uterus.
 * False. It is the blastocyst that implants in the wall of the uterus.

f) The placenta is the organ that supplies the foetus with oxygen and nutrients.
 * True.

g) To adjust the baby animal to the outside world the blood has to be re-routed to the lungs.
 * True. In the uterus the foetal lungs are inactive and once the baby is born and starts to breathe blood has to be supplied to the lungs so it can be oxygenated.

h) Colostrum is the first milk.
 * True.

i) Young animals often have to be given calcium supplements because milk contains very little calcium.
 * False. Milk contains lots of calcium. What it lacks is iron and this often has to be given as a supplement.