Reproductive System

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GRE Subject Test: Biology › Reproductive System

Questions 1 - 10
1

What is a key difference between spermatogenesis and oogenesis?

Spermatogenesis results in 4 sperm; oogenesis results in only 1 egg.

Spermatogenesis results in only 1 sperm; oogenesis results in 4 eggs.

Spermatogenesis results in 2 sperm; oogenesis results in only 1 egg.

Spermatogenesis results in 8 sperm; oogenesis results in only 4 eggs.

Spermatogenesis results in only 1 sperm; oogenesis results in 2 eggs.

Explanation

During spermatogenesis, one spermatogonia will become 4 separate functioning spermatozoa. In oogenesis, a primary oocyte will become 1 functioning ovum (or egg) while 3 polar bodies are also produced, which are nonfunctioning and never become eggs.

2

What is a key difference between spermatogenesis and oogenesis?

Spermatogenesis results in 4 sperm; oogenesis results in only 1 egg.

Spermatogenesis results in only 1 sperm; oogenesis results in 4 eggs.

Spermatogenesis results in 2 sperm; oogenesis results in only 1 egg.

Spermatogenesis results in 8 sperm; oogenesis results in only 4 eggs.

Spermatogenesis results in only 1 sperm; oogenesis results in 2 eggs.

Explanation

During spermatogenesis, one spermatogonia will become 4 separate functioning spermatozoa. In oogenesis, a primary oocyte will become 1 functioning ovum (or egg) while 3 polar bodies are also produced, which are nonfunctioning and never become eggs.

3

When a female ovulates, in what phase of division is the oocyte?

Metaphase II

Metaphase I

Prophase II

Prophase I

Anaphase I

Explanation

When a female ovulates, the oocyte is in metaphase II, until it becomes fertilized by a sperm. It then completes the second phase of meiosis to make a mature ovum. Remember that, unlike spermatogenesis, oogenesis begins during development. All oocytes undergo meiosis I during fetal development, and are kept suspended in prophase II until ovulation, when they shift to metaphase II. Meiosis only continues beyond metapahse II if fertilization occurs.

4

When a female ovulates, in what phase of division is the oocyte?

Metaphase II

Metaphase I

Prophase II

Prophase I

Anaphase I

Explanation

When a female ovulates, the oocyte is in metaphase II, until it becomes fertilized by a sperm. It then completes the second phase of meiosis to make a mature ovum. Remember that, unlike spermatogenesis, oogenesis begins during development. All oocytes undergo meiosis I during fetal development, and are kept suspended in prophase II until ovulation, when they shift to metaphase II. Meiosis only continues beyond metapahse II if fertilization occurs.

5

On the fourteenth day of the menstrual cycle, the pituitary gland releases a hormone which allows the ovary to release a matured egg. This egg is then swept into the fallopian tube. What phase of the menstrual cycle encompasses these events?

Ovulatory phase

Follicular phase

Menstrual phase

Luteal phase

Vaginal phase

Explanation

The menstrual cycle has four phases:

  1. Menstrual phase (days 1-5): the uterus sheds its lining, which exits the body through the vagina in the form of menstrual fluid.

  2. Follicular phase (days 1-13): the pituitary gland releases a hormone that stimulates the egg cells to grow. One egg cell matures in a sac-like follicle for 13 days; while it is maturing, the follicle releases a hormone that causes the uterus to develop its lining.

  3. Ovulatory phase (day 14): the events listed in the question occur.

  4. Luteal phase (days 15-28): the egg released during ovulation stays in the fallopian tube for 24 hours, disintegrating if not fertilized during that time. During this phase, the hormone that causes the uterus to retain its lining is used up, causing another menstrual phase to begin.

6

On the fourteenth day of the menstrual cycle, the pituitary gland releases a hormone which allows the ovary to release a matured egg. This egg is then swept into the fallopian tube. What phase of the menstrual cycle encompasses these events?

Ovulatory phase

Follicular phase

Menstrual phase

Luteal phase

Vaginal phase

Explanation

The menstrual cycle has four phases:

  1. Menstrual phase (days 1-5): the uterus sheds its lining, which exits the body through the vagina in the form of menstrual fluid.

  2. Follicular phase (days 1-13): the pituitary gland releases a hormone that stimulates the egg cells to grow. One egg cell matures in a sac-like follicle for 13 days; while it is maturing, the follicle releases a hormone that causes the uterus to develop its lining.

  3. Ovulatory phase (day 14): the events listed in the question occur.

  4. Luteal phase (days 15-28): the egg released during ovulation stays in the fallopian tube for 24 hours, disintegrating if not fertilized during that time. During this phase, the hormone that causes the uterus to retain its lining is used up, causing another menstrual phase to begin.

7

What is the "Dictyate state?"

An oogenetic ‘stasis’ between embryo and puberty

A meiosis stabilizing factor

The primordial follicle

The state between fertilization and the start of gonadotropin production

Pre-vitellegenic stage in fetal development

Explanation

Oogenisis halts in the female embryo while the oocytes are trapped in meiosis II. At the beginning of the menstrual cycle a number of oocytes in primordial follicles are stimulated by pituitary gonadotropins to continue maturation.

8

What is the "Dictyate state?"

An oogenetic ‘stasis’ between embryo and puberty

A meiosis stabilizing factor

The primordial follicle

The state between fertilization and the start of gonadotropin production

Pre-vitellegenic stage in fetal development

Explanation

Oogenisis halts in the female embryo while the oocytes are trapped in meiosis II. At the beginning of the menstrual cycle a number of oocytes in primordial follicles are stimulated by pituitary gonadotropins to continue maturation.

9

What is the purpose of the corpus luteum in females?

Release progesterone and estradiol following ovulation

Contain the egg prior to ovulation

Release hormones to stimulate menstruation

Release human chorionic gonadotropin in order to preserve the egg

Explanation

The corpus luteum is formed from the remainder of the follicle following ovulation. The corpus luteum will release estradiol (estrogen) and progesterone in order to prepare for pregnancy. If pregnancy does not take place, the corpus luteum will degrade into the corpus albicans.

The follicle contains the egg prior to ovulation and releases it after stimulation by follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone from the anterior pituitary. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is the hormone responsible for maintaining the uterus and placenta during pregnancy, and is released by the uterus.

10

What is the purpose of the corpus luteum in females?

Release progesterone and estradiol following ovulation

Contain the egg prior to ovulation

Release hormones to stimulate menstruation

Release human chorionic gonadotropin in order to preserve the egg

Explanation

The corpus luteum is formed from the remainder of the follicle following ovulation. The corpus luteum will release estradiol (estrogen) and progesterone in order to prepare for pregnancy. If pregnancy does not take place, the corpus luteum will degrade into the corpus albicans.

The follicle contains the egg prior to ovulation and releases it after stimulation by follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone from the anterior pituitary. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is the hormone responsible for maintaining the uterus and placenta during pregnancy, and is released by the uterus.

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