Human Reproductive System: Menstrual Cycle, Fertilisation, Implantation & Placenta: 40 flashcards
All 40 flashcards from this kit, free and with no sign-up.
1. What is menarche?
Show the answer
The beginning of menstruation on attaining puberty.
2. What is menopause?
Show the answer
The physiological cessation of the menstrual cycle and end of reproductive life, around age 45–50.
3. How long is the average menstrual cycle?
Show the answer
About 28 days, counted from the first day of menstrual flow to the next onset.
4. How long does menstrual flow last?
Show the answer
3–5 days.
5. Name the four phases of the menstrual cycle in order.
Show the answer
Menstrual → Follicular (proliferative) → Ovulatory → Luteal (secretory).
6. What happens during the menstrual phase?
Show the answer
If fertilisation does not occur, the endometrium breaks down and is shed as menstruation.
7. Which hormone stimulates follicle growth in the follicular phase?
Show the answer
FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) from the pituitary.
8. Which hormone does the growing ovarian follicle secrete?
Show the answer
Estrogen, which rebuilds and thickens the uterine wall.
9. On which day does ovulation normally occur?
Show the answer
Day 13 or 14 of the cycle.
10. Which hormone triggers ovulation?
Show the answer
LH (luteinizing hormone) — its surge ruptures the Graafian follicle.
11. What is the corpus luteum?
Show the answer
The structure formed from the Graafian follicle after ovulation; it secretes progesterone.
12. What does progesterone do?
Show the answer
Makes the uterine lining thick and spongy, ready for implantation.
13. What happens if fertilisation does not occur?
Show the answer
The corpus luteum degenerates, progesterone falls, and the endometrium is shed.
14. When is menstruation absent?
Show the answer
Before puberty, during pregnancy, and after menopause.
15. How many sperms are in a single ejaculation?
Show the answer
About 300 million sperms.
16. How long are sperms viable?
Show the answer
About 48 hours.
17. Where does fertilisation occur?
Show the answer
In the fallopian tube (oviduct).
18. What is fertilisation?
Show the answer
The fusion of the male gamete (sperm) with the female gamete (egg).
19. What is the role of the acrosome?
Show the answer
It releases lysosomal enzymes that digest the egg's limiting membranes to allow sperm entry.
20. What prevents more than one sperm from entering the egg?
Show the answer
Chemical barriers formed after the first sperm enters.
21. What is amphimixis?
Show the answer
The fusion of the male and female pronuclei, restoring the diploid chromosome number.
22. What is a zygote?
Show the answer
The single cell formed after fertilisation is complete, with a diploid nucleus.
23. How soon after ovulation does fertilisation usually occur?
Show the answer
Within 24 hours.
24. What is a morula?
Show the answer
A solid ball of cells formed by repeated division of the zygote.
25. What is a blastocyst?
Show the answer
The fluid-filled embryo that develops from the morula and reaches the uterus.
26. When does the blastocyst reach the uterus?
Show the answer
By the end of the fourth day after fertilisation.
27. What is implantation?
Show the answer
The fixing of the blastocyst into the uterine wall.
28. What is the trophoblast?
Show the answer
The outer nutritive layer of the blastocyst that digests and resorbs the endometrium.
29. Why is implantation essential?
Show the answer
The zygote's reserve food lasts only about 7 days; implantation provides nourishment and oxygen from the mother.
30. What is the placenta?
Show the answer
An intimate connection between the developing foetus and the uterine wall of the mother.
31. What does the umbilical cord contain?
Show the answer
Foetal blood vessels connecting the foetus to the placenta.
32. Do maternal and foetal blood mix?
Show the answer
No — a membrane always separates them, and materials cross by diffusion.
33. Name the six functions of the placenta.
Show the answer
Nutrition, respiration, excretion, storage, barrier, and endocrine secretion.
34. Which hormones does the placenta produce?
Show the answer
Progesterone and estrogen, to maintain pregnancy.
35. What is the site of implantation in humans?
Show the answer
The uterus (internal), not the oviduct or fallopian tube.
36. How many eggs mature each year in a female?
Show the answer
About 13 eggs per year.
37. How many eggs may reach maturity over a female's reproductive life?
Show the answer
Up to 416 eggs over about 32 years.
38. What happens to the remaining eggs in the ovaries?
Show the answer
They degenerate and are absorbed.
39. What is the sequence of hormones in the menstrual cycle?
Show the answer
FSH → estrogen → LH surge → ovulation → progesterone.
40. What is the site of fertilisation versus implantation?
Show the answer
Fertilisation in the fallopian tube; implantation in the uterus.
Your notes can be a kit like these
Every kit here was made from real study material. Point Veda at a chapter, a PDF, a photo or a link and get notes, flashcards, practice MCQs, games and a scored test — free, in 42 languages.
- Chapter notes
- Flashcards
- Practice MCQs
- Scored tests
- Exam prep
Get Veda free See what students get
Free to start · No ads · Works in 42 languages