Every 28 days, on average, one of these reproductive cells is released in the process called _______ and then begins a journey down one of the woman’s _______.

Menstruation, the release of blood and a portion of the uterine tissue called the _______, occurs when there has been no _____ during the reproductive cycle.

When a couple is having trouble conceiving a child, the first thing fertility specialists generally will look at is the fertility of the prospective father. What do you think a specialist would be looking for?

The precursors of the eggs produced by females are (select all that apply):

a. released from ovaries.

b. released at the rate of about six per month.

c. called oocytes.

d. surrounded by fluids and accessory cells.

e. put into blood circulation.

Most mammals are “placental,” which is to say their embryos get nourishment within the mother through the placental system of blood vessels reviewed in the text. By contrast, amphibian and reptilian embryos are nourished by substances contained in eggs the mother lays. Can you think of any advantages mammals derive from the placental means of development? Can you think of any disadvantages?

The structure in which sperm are stored and complete their maturation is the:

a. epididymis.

b. oviduct.

c. penis.

d. prostate gland.

e. vas deferens.

Forty years after birth control pills for women came into widespread use, there is still no birth control pill for men. One reason for this is the basic difference between female production of an oocyte each month and the male production of sperm. Why should it be easier to suppress fertility in women than in men?

The tertiary follicle (select all that apply):

a. contains a maturing spermatocyte.

b. contains a maturing oocyte.

c. is transformed into the corpus luteum.

d. is washed away with the endometrial lining.

e. expels an oocyte in ovulation.

The natural degeneration of follicles during a woman’s lifetime is referred to as:

a. menopause.

b. ovulation.

c. puberty.

d. atresia.

e. apoptosis.

The portion of the blastocyst called the trophoblast eventually helps form the:

a. head of the baby.

b. legs of the baby.

c. entire baby.

d. nervous system of the baby.

e. placenta.