HSCI 100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 15: Aids, Seminiferous Tubule, Corpus Luteum

• School: Simon Fraser University
• Department: Health Sciences
• Course: HSCI 100
• Professor: Mark Lechner

Document Summary

Gametes develop from germ cells in specialized compartments called the gonads with support cells. Sperm are produced within the seminiferous tubules of the testes. Sertoli cells help nourish sperm and regulate the process of sperm production (spermatogenesis, a form of gametogenesis) Sperm (spermatozoa) are stored and mature in the epididymis (spermiogenesis, which is a cell differentiation pathway) Head: covered by a cap called the acrosome which stores enzymes needed to penetrate the egg: middle piece: contain mitochondria to make energy (atp) Tail: a flagellum that provides movement for the sperm. Produce the male hormones (androgens, e. g. testosterone: epididymis, sperm mature and are stored here, a typical ejaculate contains 50-500 million sperm, survive for <48hrs in female genital tract. Penis: organ used for sexual intercourse and urination. Erection: can be mediated by mechanical stimulation through the autonomic nervous system (parasympathetic) release nitric oxide (no), a gas, also occurs in response to visual, auditory, olfactory, or tactile stimuli.