Question 1

Which of the following functions does the placenta perform?

Accepted Answer

The placenta produces hormones like estrogen and progesterone to support pregnancy. It does not act as a barrier against all STDs, help sperm fertilize eggs, or halt the production of hCG.

Question 2

Hyaluronidase is defined as:

Accepted Answer

Hyaluronidase is an enzyme secreted by sperm that helps it penetrate the protective layers surrounding the egg.

Question 3

Which of the following secretes hyaluronidase, the enzyme that helps the sperm penetrate the egg?

Accepted Answer

The acrosome is a cap-like structure on the head of a sperm cell that contains enzymes, including hyaluronidase, which help the sperm penetrate the egg's outer layers during fertilization.

Question 4

For the first eight weeks of gestation the conceptus is called an embryo; from then until birth it is called a _____.

Accepted Answer

The conceptus is called an embryo for the first eight weeks of gestation, and a fetus from then until birth.

Question 5

Considering the lifespan of the average sperm and the period during which the egg is capable of being fertilized, the optimal time for sexual intercourse in order for the woman to conceive would be right at ovulation or:

Accepted Answer

Sperm can live inside the female reproductive tract for up to five days, and the egg is viable for about 12-24 hours after ovulation. Therefore, having intercourse one to two days before ovulation increases the chances of sperm being present when the egg is released.

Question 6

The energy used by sperm to move up the fallopian tube is stored in the _____ of the sperm's midpiece.

Accepted Answer

Mitochondria are the organelles that produce energy for the cell. In sperm, mitochondria are located in the midpiece, which is the middle section of the sperm. The energy produced by the mitochondria is used to power the flagellum, which is the tail of the sperm. The flagellum propels the sperm through the fallopian tube towards the egg.

Question 7

Which of the following is the most reliable indicator of ovulation for a woman maintaining a basal body temperature chart?

Accepted Answer

A sharp rise in body temperature the day after ovulation is a reliable indicator, as it reflects the hormonal changes associated with ovulation.

Question 8

The egg is surrounded by a thin, gelatinous layer called the _____ which, when dissolved, allows the sperm to penetrate the egg.

Accepted Answer

The zona pellucida is the gelatinous layer surrounding the egg that the sperm must penetrate to fertilize the egg.

Question 9

The _____ of an embryo differentiates into the nervous system and the skin.

Accepted Answer

The ectoderm is one of the three primary germ layers in a developing embryo that differentiates into the nervous system and the skin. The mesoderm gives rise to muscle, bone, and connective tissue, while the endoderm gives rise to internal organs such as the stomach, liver, and lungs. Periderm is not a primary germ layer and does not give rise to any major organs or tissues.

Question 10

What function does amniotic fluid perform?

Accepted Answer

Amniotic fluid maintains the fetus at a constant temperature.

Question 11

The _____ of an embryo differentiates into the muscles, skeleton, connective tissues, and circulatory and reproductive systems.

Accepted Answer

The mesoderm is one of the three primary germ layers formed during embryonic development and is responsible for the differentiation of the muscles, skeleton, connective tissues, and circulatory and reproductive systems.

Question 12

Which of the following is true of amniotic fluid?

Accepted Answer

Amniotic fluid is a clear, straw-colored liquid that surrounds and protects the fetus during pregnancy. Its main function is to cushion the developing fetus from injury and to help maintain a constant temperature. It also helps with fetal lung development and allows the fetus to move around freely within the uterus. It is not an enzyme secreted by sperm, does not facilitate conception, and does not hold the fetus rigidly in one place.

Question 13

The process by which sperm are propelled up the fallopian tube is known as _____.

Accepted Answer

Sperm are propelled up the fallopian tube through the movement of their flagella, a process known as flagellation.

Question 14

Conception typically occurs in the outer third of the _____.

Accepted Answer

Conception typically occurs in the outer third of the fallopian tube, where the sperm meets the egg for fertilization.

Question 15

The _____ of an embryo differentiates into the digestive system and the respiratory system.

Accepted Answer

The endoderm is one of the three primary germ layers in the early embryo that give rise to different organs and tissues. It differentiates into the inner lining of the digestive tract and its associated organs, such as the liver, pancreas, and lungs, which are derived from diverticula of the foregut endoderm. The mesoderm gives rise to the connective tissue, muscle, bone, urogenital system, and blood vessels. The ectoderm gives rise to the skin, nervous system, and other structures. The periderm is a temporary layer of cells that covers the outer surface of the embryo.

Question 16

Which of the following is true of sperm?

Accepted Answer

Sperm are produced in the seminiferous tubules, which are located within the testes.

Question 17

The egg moves along the fallopian tube by:

Accepted Answer

The egg is moved along the fallopian tube by the action of the cilia lining the walls of the tube, which create a current that propels the egg towards the uterus.

Question 18

Stephanie is 28 years old and wants to have a baby.Which of the following would improve her chances of conceiving?

Accepted Answer

Lying on her back after sex with her legs pulled up and a pillow under her hips allows for gravity to help the sperm move towards the cervix and increases the chances of conception. Straddling her partner or changing positions during sex does not increase the chances of conception. Douching with an acidic solution is not recommended as it can disrupt the natural pH balance of the vagina, potentially harming sperm and increasing the risk of infection. Lubricants or suppositories may hinder sperm movement and decrease the chances of conception.

Question 19

The _____ is the mass of tissue lying beside the fetus that allows nutrients and oxygen to pass from the mother's blood to the baby's blood.

Accepted Answer

The placenta is the organ that connects the developing fetus to the uterine wall, allowing nutrient uptake, waste elimination, and gas exchange via the mother's blood supply.

Question 20

Which of the following is true of the umbilical cord?

Accepted Answer

The umbilical cord is formed during embryonic development and is attached to the placenta. It provides the fetus with nutrients and oxygen from the mother's blood supply. It does not connect the woman's navel with that of the fetus's, and it does not differentiate into the digestive or respiratory system of the fetus.

Quiz 6: Conception, Pregnancy, Childbirth