REVIEWER IN GENERAL BIOLOGY II

THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

 The female reproductive system is made up of the internal and external sex organs that function in
reproduction of new offspring
1. EXTERNAL PARTS (VULVA)

• Mons Pubis- soft mound of fatty tissue in front of

the pubic bone.

• Labia Majora- 2 large folds of adipose tissue on the

sides of the vaginal opening that protects the other
external reproductive parts.

• Labia Minora- 2 smaller folds of adipose tissue on

the inside of the labia majora

• Clitoris- sensitive fold of tissue partially covered by

hood

2. INTERNAL PARTS

 Vagina is a canal that joins the cervix (the lower part of

uterus) to the outside of the body. It also is known as the
birth canal.
 Uterus (womb): The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped
organ that is the home to a developing fetus. The uterus is
divided into two parts: the cervix, which is the lower part
that opens into the vagina, and the main body of the
uterus, called the corpus. The corpus can easily expand to
hold a developing baby. A channel through the cervix
allows sperm to enter and menstrual blood to exit.
 Ovaries: The ovaries are small, oval-shaped glands that
are located on either side of the uterus. The ovaries
produce eggs and hormones.
 Fallopian tubes: These are narrow tubes that are
attached to the upper part of the uterus and serve as
tunnels for the ova (egg cells) to travel from the ovaries
to the uterus. Conception, the fertilization of an egg by a
sperm, normally occurs in the fallopian tubes. The
fertilized egg then moves to the uterus, where it implants
into the lining of the uterine wall.

THE OVARIAN AND UTERINE CYCLE

 Ovarian Cyclegoverns the preparation of endocrine tissues and release of eggs

The Ovarian Cycle starts in the brain, the Hypothalamus and Anterior Pituitary Gland. The
Hypothalamus produces a hormone called Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone (GnRH), this
Hormone determines the amount of Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing
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Hormone(LH)produced by the Pituitary Gland. FSH and LH are the pituitary hormone controls the
maturation of the ovarian follicle.

Primary Oocyte Granulosa Cell and Theca cell are the Cell secreting
hormones of an ovarian follicles.
Granulosa Cell

Theca Cell

During the first 10-14 days, theca cells start to develop receptors and bind luteinizing hormone and as
a response, androstenedione, a hormone under androgen family, is produced. Similarly, granulosa cells develop
receptor to bind follicle stimulating hormone, and aromatase (enzyme) is produced. Aromatase then will convert
the androstenedione produced by theca cells to build 17 beta-Estrodiol, a hormone under estrogen family.
Estrogen will be released into the blood stream. And an increase of estrogen level in the blood will send a
negative feedback in the pituitary gland to lessen the FSH and LH produced. As a result of less FSH and LH
production, some of the developing follicles in the ovary will stop growing, regress, and die off. The follicle
with most FSH and LH receptors will continue to grow becoming the dominant follicle and will undergo
ovulation. This dominant follicle will continue to secrete estrogen. And rising estrogen level in the blood will
then send a positive feedback to the pituitary gland to send a whole lot of FSH and LH that will make the
follicle burst out to release the egg cell.

While the Ovary is preparing the egg cell for possible fertilization, the uterus then is preparing the
endometrium for implantation. (Menstrual Phase)—the old endometrial lining or functional layer from the
previous cycle is shed and eliminated through the vagina producing the bleeding pattern known as a menstrual
period. (Proliferative Phase)—during the high estrogen level the thickening of endometrium, growth of
endometrial glands, and emergence of spiral arteries. Rising estrogen level also help to change the consistency
of the cervical mucus making it more hospitable for the sperm.

FERTILIZATION

 The union of a human egg and sperm, usually occurring in the ampulla of the fallopian
tube.

2 TYPES OF FERTILIZATION:

 External Fertilizationthe process happens outside the body.

 Internal Fertilization the process happens inside the female body.

Fertilization happens when a sperm cell successfully meets an egg cell in the fallopian tube.

HOW DO TWINS FORMED?

 IDENTICAL TWINS (monozygotic twins)twins are developed from the same fertilized egg, and so
have nearly identical genetic code.
 FRATERNAL TWINS (dizygotic twins) twins are developed from two different eggs fertilized by
two different sperm.

PREGNANCY and FETAL DEVELOPMENT

 Pregnancy, known as gestation, is the time during which one or more offspring develops
inside a woman.
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 FETAL DEVELOPMENT

After the fertilization, the zygote undergoes a series of cell

division called cleavage as it moves through the fallopian
tube. The zygote travels three to four days through the
fallopian tube towards the body of the uterus. During this
time, the cell starts to divide. By the time the zygote reaches
the body of the uterus it is consist of 16 to 50 cells and is
called MORULA.
The morula collects large cells at the periphery of the ball
and becomes an outer casing with the connected inner group
of cells surrounded by a fluid spacespace. Kat this stage the
structure is termed Blastocyst (different from blastula).
The blastocyst implant on the inner layer of the uterus called the endometrium.
Approximately 8-10 days after fertilization where it will obtain nourishment. In as many as 50% of all
pregnancies, the zygote fills to reach the implantation stage in which it becomes an embryo.

THREE LAYERS OF CELLS ARE FORMED WITHIN THE EMBRYO

 AMNIONa membranethat closely covers the embryo when first formed.it is filled with amniotic fluid which
causes the amnion to expand and become the AMNIOTIC SAC which serves to provide a protective
environment fro the developing embryo or fetus.
 CHORION one of the fetal membranes that exist during pregnancy between the developing fetus and mother.
The chorion and the amnion together form the amniotic fluid.
 PLACENTAthe organ through which materials are exchanged between the mother and the embryo. It is filled
with blood vessels from both mother and the embryo.
 UMBILICAL CORDthe embryo is connected to the placenta by the umbilical cord. A tube that has blood
vessel from the embryo.

PLACENTA
UMBILICAL CORD

AMNIOTIC SAC
AMNIOTIC FLUID
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TIME CHANGES (MOTHER) CHANGES (EMBRYO/FETUS)

Blastocyst form an embryo and attach
2 WEEKS  Miss the first menstrual period
as itself to the uterus
 Period  First heartbeat
4 WEEKS
 Morning Sickness  Tiny buds for arm and legs.
 Tiredness  Head has eyes, ears and nose
8 WEEKS  Urinates frequently  Fingers and toes forms on
 Miss second menstrual period limbs.
 Uterus doubles in size,  Sex is visible
12 WEEKS increase in mass  All organs are formed
 Abdomen starts to swell  Early movements
 Feels the baby movement
 Mass increase  Suck thumbs and move limbs
4-6 MONTHS  Enlargement of breasts  Strong heartbeat can do
 Balance and walking pattern hiccups
changes
 Enlarged abdomen  Can survive birth with special
6 MONTHS
 Experience cramps care
 Breasts fill with fluid
 Difficulty in sitting, walking,
 Fully developed
9 MONTHS sleeping
 Ready for birth
 Increase discomfort
 Increase in mass

STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease)

 Are infections that are spread from person to person through intimate sexual contact.
 Dangerous because they are easily spread and it is hard to tell just by looking who has an STD.
 Are diseases and infections which are capable of being spread from person to person through:
 Sexual intercourse
 Anal Sex
 Oral Sex
 IV drug
 Congenitally Transmitted

EXAMPLES:

1. Gonorrheais a bacterial infection of your genital tract. It can also grow in your mouth, throat, eyes and anus.
The first gonorrhea symptoms generally appear within 10 days after exposure. However, some people may be
infected for months before signs or symptoms occur. (caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae)
 HOW IS GONORRHEA SPREAD?
 You can get gonorrhea by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has gonorrhea. A
pregnant woman with gonorrhea can give the infection to her baby during childbirth.
 CAN GONORRHEA BE CURED?

 Yes, gonorrhea can be cured with the right treatment. It is important that you take all of the
medication your doctor prescribes to cure your infection. Medication for gonorrhea should not be
shared with anyone. Although medication will stop the infection, it will not undo any permanent
damage caused by the disease.

 It is becoming harder to treat some gonorrhea, as drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea are

increasing. If your symptoms continue for more than a few days after receiving treatment, you
should return to a health care provider to be checked again.

 WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF GONORRHEA?

 Thick, cloudy or bloody discharge from the penis or vagina

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 Pain or burning sensation when urinating
 Heavy menstrual bleeding or bleeding between periods
 Painful, swollen testicles
 Painful bowel movements
 Anal itching
2. Chlamydia is a bacterial infection of your genital tract. Chlamydia may be difficult to detect because early-
stage infections often cause few or no signs and symptoms. When they do occur, they usually start one to three
weeks after you've been exposed to chlamydia. Even when signs and symptoms occur, they're often mild and
passing, making them easy to overlook. (caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis)
 WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CHLAMYDIA?

 Painful urination
 Lower abdominal pain
 Vaginal discharge in women
 Discharge from the penis in men
 Pain during sexual intercourse in women
 Bleeding between periods in women
 Testicular pain in men
 CAN CHLAMAYDIA BE CURED?
 Chlamydia can be easily cured with antibiotics. HIV-positive persons with chlamydia should
receive the same treatment as those who are HIV-negative.
3. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

 HIV is an infection with the human immunodeficiency virus. HIV interferes with your body's
ability to fight off viruses, bacteria and fungi that cause illness, and it can lead to AIDS, a chronic,
life-threatening disease. When first infected with HIV, you may have no symptoms. Some people
develop a flu-like illness, usually two to six weeks after being infected. Still, the only way you
know if you have HIV is to be tested.
 HOW IS GONORRHEA SPREAD?

 You can get chlamydia by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has
chlamydia.

 If your sex partner is male you can still get chlamydia even if he does not ejaculate (cum).

 If you’ve had chlamydia and were treated in the past, you can still get infected again. This
can happen if you have unprotected sex with someone who has chlamydia.

 If you are pregnant, you can give chlamydia to your baby during childbirth.

 CAN HIV BE TREATED?

 There is no cure for HIV, although antiretroviral treatment can control the virus, meaning that
people with HIV can live long and healthy lives.

 Most research is looking for a functional cure where HIV is reduced to undetectable and
harmless levels in the body permanently, but some residual virus may remain.

 Other research is looking for a sterilising cure where HIV is eradicated from the body
completely, but this is more complex and risky.

 Trials of HIV vaccines are encouraging, but so far offer partial protection only.

4. Pubic lice  also known as crabs are small parasites that attach to the skin and hair near your genitals. Crabs
aren’t dangerous, and they’re usually pretty easy to get rid of.

 HOW IS PUBIC LICE SPREAD?

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 Crabs are usually spread through sex, because they like to live in pubic hair. Pubic lice move
easily from one person’s hairs to another person’s hairs when their genitals touch or are very
close to each other.  

 CAN PUBIC LICE BE TREATED?

 A lice-killing lotion containing 1% permethrin or a mousse containing pyrethrins and

piperonyl butoxide can be used to treat pubic (“crab”) lice. These products are available over-
the-counter without a prescription at a local drug store or pharmacy. These medications are
safe and effective when used exactly according to the instructions in the package or on the
label.

 Lindane shampoo is a prescription medication that can kill lice and lice eggs. However,
lindane is not recommended as a first-line therapy. Lindane can be toxic to the brain and
other parts of the nervous system; its use should be restricted to patients who have failed
treatment with or cannot tolerate other medications that pose less risk.