Chapter 43 Reproductive Systems
Multiple Choice Questions
1. All but which of these animals are likely to undergo parthenogenesis?
A) humans
B) flatworms
C) fish
D) lizards
E) insects
Answer: A
2. Semen contains alkaline secretions for what purpose?
A) Sperm swim better under basic conditions.
B) The female vagina is acidic and thus not a good environment for sperm.
C) Sperm are only able to use fructose under alkaline conditions.
D) The pH of semen has no significance.
E) Sperm cells are activated by an alkaline environment.
Answer: B
3. Which of the following statements is NOT true about asexual reproduction?
A) It occurs with only one parent.
B) It is less commonly used by vertebrates.
C) It can occur by budding or by division and regeneration.
D) A large number of offspring can be produced in this way in a short time.
E) It produces variation that allows the species to adapt quickly to changing
environmental conditions.
Answer: E
4. What is parthenogenesis?
A) a sexual means of internal fertilization
B) an asexual means of reproduction involving budding
C) an asexual means of reproduction by splitting or fission into several new
individuals
D) an asexual means of reproduction by which unfertilized eggs develop into mature
individuals
E) a sexual means of reproduction by which cross-fertilization occurs between
hermaphrodites
Answer: D
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Chapter 43 Reproductive Systems
5. Which of the following statements is NOT true about reproduction?
A) Gametes are produced by meiosis and may be specialized as eggs or sperm.
B) Hydras may reproduce asexually by budding new individuals from the parent.
C) Asexual reproduction is most advantageous when the environment is continually
changing.
D) A hermaphrodite produces both male and female gametes in different specialized
gonads.
E) A starfish can be cut into several pieces, and each piece will regenerate all the
other parts of the individual.
Answer: C
6. Which of the following statements is NOT true about fertilization?
A) Amphibians, birds, and reptiles practice internal fertilization
B) Most terrestrial animals practice internal fertilization.
C) Many terrestrial males have a copulatory organ for sperm transfer.
D) Internal fertilization is required for the production of shelled eggs.
E) Most aquatic animals practice external fertilization, releasing gametes into the
water.
Answer: A
7. Reptile and bird eggs have
A) no chorion.
B) no amnion.
C) no extraembryonic membranes since the young are inside an egg.
D) a placental connection since these are advanced animals.
E) a plentiful and large yolk since it must support all early development.
Answer: E
8. A placental mammal would be
A) larviparous.
B) viviparous.
C) external fertilizers.
D) oviparous.
E) ovoviviparous.
Answer: B
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Chapter 43 Reproductive Systems
9. The male reproductive system includes all EXCEPT which of the following?
A) testes
B) epididymis
C) penis
D) prostate
E) fimbriae
Answer: E
10. Sperm mature within the
A) seminal vesicles.
B) vas deferens.
C) interstitial cells.
D) ejaculatory duct.
E) epididymis.
Answer: E
11. The time interval following ejaculation during which stimulation does not cause
erection is called
A) orgasm.
B) impotency.
C) secretory phase.
D) spermatogenic period.
E) refractory period.
Answer: E
12. In the human male, the tube used to carry both sperm and urine is the
A) ureter.
B) seminiferous tubule.
C) vas deferens.
D) urethra.
E) fallopian tube.
Answer: D
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Chapter 43 Reproductive Systems
13. A functional advantage of having human testes in the scrotum rather than in the
abdomen is
A) lack of room in the abdomen.
B) a shorter sperm duct.
C) more direct blood supply.
D) lower temperature.
E) greater protection to the testes.
Answer: D
14. Semen production does NOT involve the
A) testes.
B) prostate gland.
C) seminal vesicles.
D) bulbourethral gland.
E) Graafian follicle.
Answer: E
15. Trace the correct path of the sperm during ejaculation.
A) urethra, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, testes
B) testes, urethra, vas deferens, penis
C) seminiferous tubules, epididymis, vas deferens, urethra
D) seminiferous tubules, vas deferens, epididymis, urethra
E) vas deferens, seminiferous tubules, epididymis, urethra
Answer: C
16. In the human male, sperm cells are produced in the
A) interstitial tissue.
B) urethra.
C) seminiferous tubules.
D) vas deferens.
E) seminal vesicles.
Answer: C
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Chapter 43 Reproductive Systems
17. Which association concerning structures in the human male is incorrect?
A) testes--produce sperm
B) vas deferens--carries urine
C) prostate gland--seminal fluid
D) urethra--conducts sperm
E) seminal vesicles--seminal fluid
Answer: B
18. A male accessory organ that often becomes enlarged, infected, or cancerous in older
men is the
A) testis.
B) prostate gland.
C) epididymis.
D) bulbourethral gland.
E) vas deferens.
Answer: B
19. What purpose is served by the presence of the testes in the scrotum rather than in the
abdomen?
A) The testes are cooled to the proper temperature for sperm development.
B) The testes are warmed to the proper temperature for sperm development.
C) The testes are exposed to a higher oxygen content in the scrotum for sperm
development.
D) The testes are exposed to a lower oxygen content in the scrotum for sperm
development.
E) None of these
Answer: A
20. The substances found in semen are produced by all of the following EXCEPT
A) prostate
B) vas deferens
C) bulbourethral glands
D) seminal vesicles
E) testes
Answer: B
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Chapter 43 Reproductive Systems
21. Which part of the sperm cell is lined with mitochondria and expends the energy
needed to propel the sperm?
A) acrosome
B) head
C) tail
D) middle piece
E) plasma membrane
Answer: D
22. What is the last part of the male reproductive tract through which the semen passes?
A) vas deferens
B) urethra
C) epididymis
D) prostate
E) ureter
Answer: B
23. What is the function of the sertoli (sustentacular) cells in the male reproductive tract?
A) produce the sperm cells through meiosis
B) produce an alkaline fluid added to the semen
C) activate the sperm cells so they can swim rapidly
D) support and regulate the cells that produce sperm cells
E) produce a fluid added to the semen just before ejaculation
Answer: D
24. In most male animals, the penis or other copulatory organ achieves erection by
A) muscle contraction.
B) testicular pressure.
C) bones or exoskeleton interlocking.
D) artery dilation or hemolymph pressure.
E) All of these work together.
Answer: D
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Chapter 43 Reproductive Systems
25. What is the main sex hormone of the human male?
A) testosterone
B) estrogen
C) luteinizing hormone (LH)
D) follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
E) interstitial cell-stimulating hormone (ICSH)
Answer: A
26. LH is an abbreviation for luteinizing hormone which was described as a female
hormone controlling the ovary. In the male, LH
A) does not exist since males lack ovaries.
B) exists in rudimentary levels since LH is made by the anterior pituitary.
C) is exactly the opposite chemical from male hormones, in an antibody-antigen
fashion.
D) controls production of testosterone.
E) causes secondary sex characteristics
Answer: D
27. Secondary sexual characteristics in the male are directly maintained by the hormone
A) testosterone.
B) estrogen.
C) FSH.
D) TSH.
E) progesterone.
Answer: A
28. LH stimulates the ___ of the testis to produce ___.
A) seminiferous tubules, sperm
B) seminiferous tubules, testosterone
C) interstitial cells, sperm
D) interstitial cells, testosterone
E) interstitial cells, estrogen
Answer: D
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Chapter 43 Reproductive Systems
29. Which part of the sperm contains energy-producing mitochondria?
A) head
B) middle piece
C) tail
D) acrosome
E) zona pellucida
Answer: B
30. The energy source for sperm to swim comes from
A) stored fat molecules in the acrosome.
B) stored sugar molecules in the sperm head.
C) fructose sugar in the surrounding seminal fluids added by the seminal vesicles.
D) protein breakdown by mitochondria in the mid-piece of the sperm.
E) dissolved lipids in the seminal fluids added by the prostate gland.
Answer: C
31. The role of the acrosome during the fertilization process is to
A) contain enzymes that help a sperm head digest its way into an egg.
B) increase the sperm's motility.
C) direct the sperm to the egg.
D) transport the chromosomes into the egg.
E) store energy for swimming to the egg.
Answer: A
32. The order of the structures in the vulva, from the frontal mons pubis to the anus, is
A) glans clitoris--vagina--urethra.
B) glans clitoris--urethra--vagina.
C) urethra--glans clitoris--vagina.
D) vagina--urethra--clitoris.
E) vagina--glans clitoris--urethra.
Answer: B
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Chapter 43 Reproductive Systems
33. Which one of these is NOT part of the human female external genitalia?
A) mons pubis
B) clitoris
C) labia minora
D) labia majora
E) uterus
Answer: E
34. The clitoris in the female is homologous to the ____ in the male.
A) testes
B) vas deferens
C) penis
D) scrotum
E) prostate gland
Answer: C
35. Fertilization in humans normally occurs in the
A) uterus.
B) vagina.
C) abdominal cavity.
D) ovarian follicle.
E) oviducts.
Answer: E
36. Which of the following statements is incorrect?
A) The follicles in the ovary produce estrogen.
B) The corpus luteum produces progesterone.
C) The placenta can produce both estrogen and progesterone.
D) LH stimulates the formation of the corpus luteum.
E) A surge of FSH is believed to promote ovulation.
Answer: E
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Chapter 43 Reproductive Systems
37. The structure from which an egg is released during ovulation is called a/an
A) ovarian cyst.
B) primary follicle.
C) corpus luteum.
D) secondary follicle.
E) Graafian follicle.
Answer: E
38. The Latin root word for "yellow body" is the basis for the term
A) placenta.
B) vagina.
C) corpus luteum.
D) uterus.
E) endometrium.
Answer: C
39. Normal human sperm and eggs are similar in which one of the following respects?
A) They have the same number of chromosomes in their nucleus.
B) Both use flagella for locomotion.
C) They have the same relative amount of cytoplasm surrounding their nuclei.
D) Approximately the same number of gametes are produced from both gonads.
E) Both use meiosis to produce four sperm or four eggs from the parent cell.
Answer: A
40. What is the main sex hormone of the female?
A) testosterone
B) estrogen
C) luteinizing hormone (LH)
D) follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
E) interstitial cell-stimulating hormone (ICSH)
Answer: B
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Chapter 43 Reproductive Systems
41. At ovulation, an egg is released from a/an
A) ovarian cyst.
B) primary follicle.
C) corpus luteum.
D) secondary follicle.
E) Graafian follicle.
Answer: E
42. In a 28-day ovarian cycle the luteal phase occurs at about
A) days 1-5.
B) days 6-13.
C) day 14.
D) days 15-28.
E) days 1-13
Answer: D
43. Which of the following hormones is best associated with maturation of the egg?
A) follicle stimulating hormone
B) luteinizing hormone
C) testosterone
D) human chorionic gonadotropic hormone
E) progesterone
Answer: A
44. Which of these descriptions could be associated with the luteal phase of the uterine
cycle?
A) low FSH, high estrogen, developing follicle, increase in uterine lining
B) high LH, high estrogen, developing follicle, uterine lining breakdown
C) decrease in LH, increase in progesterone, corpus luteum present, secretory uterine
lining
D) decrease in LH, decrease in progesterone, corpus luteum present, secretory uterine
lining
E) increase in LH, increase in progesterone, corpus luteum present, endometrium
released
Answer: C
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Chapter 43 Reproductive Systems
45. In the human female, the uterine cycle is on the average
A) 20 days.
B) 24 days.
C) 28 days.
D) 32 days.
E) 36 days.
Answer: C
46. During a 28-day uterine cycle, ovulation usually occurs on the
A) 5th day.
B) 9th day.
C) 14th day.
D) 20th day.
E) 25th day.
Answer: C
47. After ovulation, the ruptured follicle
A) disappears and all of its cells disintegrate.
B) passes on as waste material down the oviduct with the egg.
C) mends itself and begins the maturation of another egg.
D) becomes a part of the epithelial covering of the ovary.
E) differentiates into the corpus luteum.
Answer: E
48. Menstruation begins because
A) the pituitary triggers it.
B) LH activity is at its peak.
C) estrogen activity is at a peak.
D) progesterone production is highest.
E) progesterone and estrogen levels are both declining.
Answer: E
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Chapter 43 Reproductive Systems
49. Which structure in humans produces FSH?
A) hypothalamus
B) ovary
C) uterus
D) pituitary
E) interstitial cells
Answer: D
50. When an egg erupts from a follicle, the chamber that remains and secretes hormones is
the
A) oocyte.
B) stroma.
C) corpus luteum.
D) primary follicle.
E) corpus cavernosum.
Answer: C
51. The lining of the uterus that is discharged during the menstrual phase is the
A) endocardium.
B) oviduct.
C) endometrium.
D) hymen.
E) myocardium.
Answer: C
52. Days 6-13 of a 28-day uterine cycle is called the
A) menstrual period.
B) proliferative phase.
C) ovulation period.
D) secretory phase.
E) fertilization period.
Answer: B
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Chapter 43 Reproductive Systems
53. In a human female, the secretory phase is part of the
A) ovarian cycle.
B) uterine cycle.
C) sexual cycle.
D) pituitary cycle.
E) testicular cycle.
Answer: B
54. In the human female, fertilization occurs in the
A) uterus.
B) oviduct.
C) vagina.
D) ovary.
E) abdominal cavity.
Answer: B
55. Pregnancy occurs when
A) the sperm and the egg combine.
B) the fertilized egg implants in the ovary.
C) the developing embryo embeds itself in the endometrial lining.
D) sperm are in the vagina.
E) sperm are in the uterus.
Answer: C
56. The hormone produced by cells around the embryo that maintains the corpus luteum
and the pregnancy is called
A) estrogen.
B) progesterone.
C) luteinizing hormone (LH).
D) follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
E) human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG).
Answer: E
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Chapter 43 Reproductive Systems
57. Menstruation begins because
A) the pituitary triggers it.
B) LH activity is at its peak.
C) estrogen activity is at a peak.
D) progesterone production is highest.
E) progesterone and estrogen levels are both declining.
Answer: E
58. The organ that exchanges molecules between fetal and maternal blood is the
A) vagina.
B) oviduct.
C) uterus.
D) placenta.
E) mammary gland.
Answer: D
59. Which statement is wrong regarding HCG?
A) HCG is produced by the placenta.
B) HCG stimulates the anterior pituitary gland.
C) HCG stimulates the corpus luteum.
D) HCG helps maintain estrogen and progesterone levels in the blood.
E) HCG is used in pregnancy testing.
Answer: B
60. Trace the path of the sperm through the female reproductive tract.
A) vagina--uterus--oviduct--cervix
B) urethra--vagina--oviduct--cervix
C) vagina--cervix--uterus--oviduct
D) urethra--uterus--cervix--fallopian tube
E) cervix--fallopian tube--vagina--uterus
Answer: C
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Chapter 43 Reproductive Systems
61. What two hormones influence the development of the secondary sexual characteristics
of the female?
A) testosterone and estrogen
B) progesterone and estrogen
C) androgen and estrogen
D) testosterone and progesterone
E) FSH and cortisol
Answer: B
62. Menopause refers to
A) the menstrual phase.
B) premenstrual phase.
C) a time when men pause.
D) cessation of menstruation.
E) onset of menstruation.
Answer: D
63. Which of the following is NOT related to breast structure and function?
A) alveoli
B) prolactin
C) colostrum
D) areola
E) fimbriae
Answer: E
64. Female birth control pills act by inhibiting the production of
A) ACTH and LH.
B) TSH and FSH.
C) ACTH and LTH.
D) FSH and LH.
E) estrogen and progesterone.
Answer: D
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Chapter 43 Reproductive Systems
65. Which of the following is NOT true after a person has had a vasectomy?
A) Bulbourethral glands are not affected by the operation.
B) The vas deferens still transports sperm to the urethra.
C) The interstitial cells can still release hormones.
D) The semen will not contain sperm.
E) Seminal vesicles still secrete fluid.
Answer: B
66. Which is NOT a barrier method of birth control?
A) condom
B) cervical cap
C) diaphragm
D) douche
E) female condom
Answer: D
67. The medication known as mifepristone or RU-486
A) kills sperm as they enter the female reproductive tract.
B) blocks the progesterone receptors of cells in the uterine lining and causes
menstruation.
C) prevents an egg from maturing and being releasedessentially a stronger regular
birth control pill.
D) destroys the embryo which in turn causes a spontaneous miscarriage.
E) prevents development of a uterine lining.
Answer: B
68. Viruses are responsible for
A) AIDS.
B) chlamydia.
C) gonorrhea.
D) syphilis.
E) trichomoniasis
Answer: A
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Chapter 43 Reproductive Systems
69. The AIDS virus attacks
A) helper T lymphocytes.
B) Sertoli cells.
C) B lymphocytes.
D) interstitial cells.
E) follicle cells.
Answer: A
70. The cure for AIDS is
A) vaccination.
B) changing the diet.
C) antibiotic treatment.
D) antiviral drugs.
E) None of these.
Answer: E
71. A liver-damaging disease more likely to be contracted from sexual contact than AIDS
is
A) HIV.
B) hepatitis.
C) chlamydia.
D) herpes.
E) gonorrhea.
Answer: B
72. If a person had recently undergone major doses of antibiotics accompanying surgery,
which STD(s) would likely be collaterally treated?
A) AIDS
B) syphilis
C) genital warts
D) hepatitis
E) all of the choices are correct
Answer: B
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Chapter 43 Reproductive Systems
73. The cure for herpes is
A) vaccination.
B) changing the diet.
C) antibiotic treatment.
D) antiviral drugs.
E) None of these.
Answer: E
74. The cure for gonorrhea is
A) vaccination.
B) changing the diet.
C) antibiotic treatment.
D) antiviral drugs.
E) None of the choices are effective.
Answer: C
75. Syphilis is caused by
A) Candida albicans.
B) Trichomonas vaginalis.
C) a virus.
D) Treponema pallidum.
E) genital warts.
Answer: D
76. Which of the following make up semen?
A) sperm
B) prostate fluid
C) secretions from the bulbourethral glands
D) secretions from seminal vesicles
E) all of the choices make up semen
Answer: E
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Chapter 43 Reproductive Systems
Use the following to answer questions 77-80:
77. The prostate gland is labeled_____.
A) a
B) n
C) c
D) d
E) g
Answer: C
78. Sperm are stored and mature in this structure.
A) a
B) h
C) c
D) d
E) g
Answer: E
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Chapter 43 Reproductive Systems
79. This structure is cut and tied in a procedure known as a vasectomy.
A) a
B) b
C) f
D) m
E) l
Answer: C
80. This structure has a temperature regulatory function.
A) o
B) l
C) j
D) i
E) h
Answer: D
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Chapter 43 Reproductive Systems
Essay Questions
81. The reproductive strategies of vertebrates changed as they evolved and adapted to
varying environments. Compare the reproductive strategies of each vertebrate group
with regard to mode of fertilization and development (oviparous, viviparous,
ovoviviparous) and how discuss how these strategies exhibit adaptations to the
particular vertebrate's environment.
Answer:
Fish, being aquatic and marine organisms rely for the most part on external
fertilization. Males can merely release sperm over the eggs that have been released
from the female's body and water can be the mode of delivery. Most fish are oviparous
although some fish (sharks for example) do have internal development which requires
internal fertilization. Sharks have pelvic claspers to help deliver sperm inside the
female's body. Amphibians still must find an aquatic environment to reproduce. Their
egg is not water-tight and must be deposited in water or a wet environment.
Amphibians also use external fertilization although it is a more direct form of external
fertilization called amplexus. Amphibians are mostly oviparous with the eggs
developing in water, which is essential since the larvae breath with gills. Reptiles,
being the first fully land vertebrates produced the water-tight amniote egg. This
necessitates internal fertilization. Most reptiles lay eggs although some snakes are
ovoviviparous. Birds also use the amniote egg and practice internal fertilization. All
birds are oviparous (no exceptions) which is an obvious weight adaptation for flying.
Although birds practice internal fertilization most birds do so without penises-yet
another adaptation for minimizing weight. All mammals must practice internal
fertilization since they are mostly viviparous [answers could include various adaptive
advantages for viviparity).
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Chapter 43 Reproductive Systems
82. The female menstrual cycle illustrates the intricacies of hormonal control through
feedback mechanisms and also provides an example of why the pituitary is often
called the master gland.
a. Discuss the influence the pituitary has on the ovary during the menstrual cycle.
b. Describe how the influence of hormones controls both the ovarian and uterine
cycle. Be sure to include at least one feedback mechanism.
Answer:
a. The pituitary secretes FSH which causes the ovary to secrete estrogen which
controls secondary sex characteristics as well as maintains the ovarian and uterine
cycle by causing a follicle to mature. Pituitary also secretes LH which has an affect
on the follicle.
b. As the follicle matures it increases levels of estrogen which feedback and prepare
the endometrium of the uterus. LH stimulates the ruptured follicle (corpus luteum)
to produce increasing levels of progesterone which further develops and maintains
the endometrium. Progesterone also has a negative feedback affect on the pituitary
causing it to decrease FSH production. Should fertilization not occur, the corpus
luteum breaks down, no longer releases high levels of progesterone, and the drop
in progesterone again feeds back to the pituitary and the endometrium. FSH will
again be produced and the endometrial lining will be lost during menstruation.
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