1. Chapter 34 Endocrine & Reproductive Systems
Raquel Remick & Serena Brouelette

2. Sections 34.1-34.2 Endocrine System
The function of the endocrine system is to produce chemical messengers (hormones) from glands to regulate certain body activities.

3. Roles of endocrine glands:
Pituitary: controls other glands
Pineal: regulates sleep and wake cycles, along with other basic functions
Hypothalamus: controls secretions of the pituitary gland
Thyroid: regulates metabolism
Parathyroid: maintains homeostasis in blood calcium levels
Adrenals: helps body prepare for and deal with stress
Pancreas: releases insulin and glucagon to regulate level of glucose in blood
Ovaries (female): produces eggs and estrogen to create female characteristics
Testes (male): produces sperm and testosterone to create male characteristics

4. Sections 34.3 & 34.4 Reproductive System
Structures of the male reproductive system:
Testes: primary male reproductive organ; produces sperm and releases hormone testosterone
Scrotum: sac that houses the testes; it can raise or lowers to adjust the temperature so that it is optimal for sperm development
Epididymis: comma shaped structure found on outside of testes; sperm travel here from testes to mature

5. Vas deferens: tube leading to the epididymus to urethra; stores sperm until they are released from the body
Seminal vesicles: first gland that sperm pass on their way out of the body; secretes a liquid containing fructose to nourish sperm and give them energy needed to swim
Prostate gland: next gland; secretes an alkaline substance that makes up most of the seminal fluid; this fluid protects sperm from acid in male urethra and increases motility

6. Bulbourethral gland: last gland; small and closest to urethra; secretes an alkaline substance often secreted before ejaculation to prepare urethra for sperm
Urethra: passageway leading from bladder to exterior of body; common outlet for semen and urine
Penis: organ through which urine or semen must pass to exit the body; organ by which semen is introduced to female vagina

7. Glans penis: enlarged end of penis; the head
Ejaculation: when male is sexually aroused, autonomic nervous system prepares male organs to deliver sperm; smooth muscles lining glands of reproductive tract contract and eject sperm from male body; If sperm are released into reproductive tract of female, chances of one sperm finding an egg are quite good

9. Structures of the female reproductive system:
Ovaries: primary female reproductive organs; produce eggs and release estrogen
Fimbrae: fingerlike projections that accept the egg from the ovary to to the Fallopian tube
Fallopian tubes: tube that carries mature egg from ovary to uterus; place where fertilization ocurs

10. Uterus: hollow muscular cavity that receives the fertilized egg and where the fetus develops; where the egg disintegrates if not fertilized
Cervix: lower portion of uterus; opening that leads to the vagina
Vagina: passageway that leads from uterus to outside body; where babies pass through to be born and male’s penis is introduced

11. Vulva: collective term for the external reproductive organs of the female
Clitoris: small organ made of erect tissue; homologous to the head of the penis
Endometrium: the lining of uterus; each month it becomes thick to prepare for fertilization; sloughed off if no fertilizations
Ovulation: process of releasing an egg from the ovary

12. 4 Phases of Menstrual Cycle
Follicular
Ovulation
Luteal
Menstruation

13. Zygote’s Early Development
Initially the zygote is a single cell just the size of a dot
At four days, embryo is about 64 cells
6-7 days after fertilization, embryo implants into uterine wall
Placenta forms by 3rd week. It is the organ through which mother and child exchange gases and nutrients; the blood of the mother and infant do not actually mix, but flow past each other and gases and nutrients diffuse across thin membranes

14. The amniotic sac also develops, which is a fluid filled sac that protects the baby within the uterus.
After 4 weeks, the heart starts beating
After 6 weeks, limb buds appear

15. Later Stages of Development
By 3 months, most of the baby’s major organs have formed.
During 2nd trimester, the mother starts to visibly look pregnant, the fetal heartbeat can be heard from a stethoscope, and mother can feel fetus move
In the 3rd Trimester, the organ systems mature and the fetus doubles in size.

16. Childbirth
After 9 months, the child is fully developed and ready to be born.
Oxytocin is released, which causes contractions of the uterine walls.
Cervix opens
Amniotic sac breaks
The after-birth follows: the placenta, amniotic sac, and umbilical cord still attached