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Human Reproduction | Definitions
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Human Reproduction | Definitions
Amnion
A protective membrane that forms around the embryo and secretes amniotic fluid which acts as a shock absorber.
Blastocyst
Stage of embryonic development that consists of a hollow ball of cells developed from the morula.
Contraception
The deliberate prevention of fertilisation or pregnancy.
Copulation
Sexual intercourse (the insertion of the penis into the vagina).
Ejaculation
The release of semen, which contains sperm, from the penis.
Fertile Period
The time during the menstrual cycle when fertilisation is most likely to occur (roughly days 11-16).
Fertilisation
The fusion of the nucleus of the sperm with the nucleus of the egg in the fallopian tubes to form a diploid zygote.
Gamete
A haploid sex cell produced by meiosis.
Hormones
Chemical messengers produced by endocrine glands and carried to another part of the body through the bloodstream where they have a specific effect.
Implantation
The embedding of the blastocyst into the lining of the uterus.
Inner Cell Mass
The inner layer of the blastocyst which develops into the embryo.
Insemination
The release of sperm into the vagina.
IVF
The process where fertilisation takes place outside the male and female reproduction systems, in a laboratory with controlled conditions.
Labour
The process of birth.
Lactation
The secretion of milk from the breasts after birth.
Menstrual Cycle
A series of events that occur in the ovaries and uterus every 28 days from puberty to menopause if fertilisation has not occurred.
Menstruation
The shedding of the lining of the unfertilised egg and endometrium on days 1-5 of the menstrual cycle.
Morula
Stage of embryonic development that consists of a solid ball of cells produced by meiosis of the zygote.
Ovulation
The release of the mature egg from the Graafian follicle at the surface of the ovary and into the fallopian tube on day 14 of the menstrual cycle.
Secondary Sexual Characteristics
Physical changes that develop at puberty that help to distinguish the sexes but are not essential for reproduction.
Trophoblast
The outer layer of the blastocyst which develops into the placenta.
FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)
Secreted by the pituitary gland, FSH stimulates the cells in the testes to undergo mitosis and produce sperm. It also stimulates the development of the Graafian follicles in the ovaries which stimulates oestrogen production.
LH (Luteinising Hormone)
Secreted by the pituitary gland, LH stimulates production of testosterone in males and stimulates ovulation and progesterone production in females.
Testosterone
Hormone produced in the testis of males. It is responsible for the secondary sexual characteristics.
Oestrogen
Hormone produced in the ovaries in females. It is responsible for secondary sexual characteristics and the repair of the uterine wall.
Progesterone
Hormone produced in the ovaries in females after ovulation. It maintains the endometrium during pregnancy and menstrual cycle.
Zygote
Formed when a haploid male gamete and a haploid female gamete fuse to make a diploid nucleus.
Embryo
The initial stage of development of a multicellular organism after fertilisation.
Foetus
After the first 8 weeks, all organs are developed and the embryo is referred to as a foetus for the remainder of the pregnancy.
Germ Layers
The three basic layers of the cells in the blastocyst are the ectoderm, the mesoderm and the endoderm.
Placenta
Forms from the trophoblast (outer layer of the blastocyst) and the endometrium. It is fully formed after 12 weeks and acts as a link between the foetus and mother. It also acts as a barrier to prevent blood or hormones from the mother from mixing with the foetus.
Umbilical Cord
It connects the placenta to the embryo and is responsible for carrying nutrients, oxygen and hormones to the embryo and carrying waste away from the embryo.
Oxytocin
The hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that causes the walls of the uterus to contract and the cervix to dilate to begin labour.
Infertility
A condition in either males or females which causes conception and pregnancy to be difficult or impossible.
Parturition
The process of passing of the baby through the birth canal, birth and the cutting and clamping of the umbilical cord.
Afterbirth
The passing of the placenta out of the uterus.
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Amnion
A protective membrane that forms around the embryo and secretes amniotic fluid which acts as a shock absorber.
Blastocyst
Stage of embryonic development that consists of a hollow ball of cells developed from the morula.
Contraception
The deliberate prevention of fertilisation or pregnancy.
Copulation
Sexual intercourse (the insertion of the penis into the vagina).
Ejaculation
The release of semen, which contains sperm, from the penis.
Fertile Period
The time during the menstrual cycle when fertilisation is most likely to occur (roughly days 11-16).
Fertilisation
The fusion of the nucleus of the sperm with the nucleus of the egg in the fallopian tubes to form a diploid zygote.
Gamete
A haploid sex cell produced by meiosis.
Hormones
Chemical messengers produced by endocrine glands and carried to another part of the body through the bloodstream where they have a specific effect.
Implantation
The embedding of the blastocyst into the lining of the uterus.
Inner Cell Mass
The inner layer of the blastocyst which develops into the embryo.
Insemination
The release of sperm into the vagina.
IVF
The process where fertilisation takes place outside the male and female reproduction systems, in a laboratory with controlled conditions.
Labour
The process of birth.
Lactation
The secretion of milk from the breasts after birth.
Menstrual Cycle
A series of events that occur in the ovaries and uterus every 28 days from puberty to menopause if fertilisation has not occurred.
Menstruation
The shedding of the lining of the unfertilised egg and endometrium on days 1-5 of the menstrual cycle.
Morula
Stage of embryonic development that consists of a solid ball of cells produced by meiosis of the zygote.
Ovulation
The release of the mature egg from the Graafian follicle at the surface of the ovary and into the fallopian tube on day 14 of the menstrual cycle.
Secondary Sexual Characteristics
Physical changes that develop at puberty that help to distinguish the sexes but are not essential for reproduction.
Trophoblast
The outer layer of the blastocyst which develops into the placenta.
FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)
Secreted by the pituitary gland, FSH stimulates the cells in the testes to undergo mitosis and produce sperm. It also stimulates the development of the Graafian follicles in the ovaries which stimulates oestrogen production.
LH (Luteinising Hormone)
Secreted by the pituitary gland, LH stimulates production of testosterone in males and stimulates ovulation and progesterone production in females.
Testosterone
Hormone produced in the testis of males. It is responsible for the secondary sexual characteristics.
Oestrogen
Hormone produced in the ovaries in females. It is responsible for secondary sexual characteristics and the repair of the uterine wall.
Progesterone
Hormone produced in the ovaries in females after ovulation. It maintains the endometrium during pregnancy and menstrual cycle.
Zygote
Formed when a haploid male gamete and a haploid female gamete fuse to make a diploid nucleus.
Embryo
The initial stage of development of a multicellular organism after fertilisation.
Foetus
After the first 8 weeks, all organs are developed and the embryo is referred to as a foetus for the remainder of the pregnancy.
Germ Layers
The three basic layers of the cells in the blastocyst are the ectoderm, the mesoderm and the endoderm.
Placenta
Forms from the trophoblast (outer layer of the blastocyst) and the endometrium. It is fully formed after 12 weeks and acts as a link between the foetus and mother. It also acts as a barrier to prevent blood or hormones from the mother from mixing with the foetus.
Umbilical Cord
It connects the placenta to the embryo and is responsible for carrying nutrients, oxygen and hormones to the embryo and carrying waste away from the embryo.
Oxytocin
The hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that causes the walls of the uterus to contract and the cervix to dilate to begin labour.
Infertility
A condition in either males or females which causes conception and pregnancy to be difficult or impossible.
Parturition
The process of passing of the baby through the birth canal, birth and the cutting and clamping of the umbilical cord.
Afterbirth
The passing of the placenta out of the uterus.