High School Biology : High School Biology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for High School Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Understanding Reproductive Organs

Which reproductive organ is located around the urethra, anterior to the rectum, and inferior to the bladder?

Possible Answers:

Epididymis

Uterus

Ovary

Prostate

Vas deferans

Correct answer:

Prostate

Explanation:

The prostate gland is located immediately below the bladder and anterior to the rectum, and it surrounds the urethra. The gland secretes a fluid that becomes part of the seminal fluid. The epididymis rests on and beside the posterior surface of a testis. It is the first part of the secretory duct of each testis. The vas deferans is a continuation of the epididymis and transports sperm from each testis to the ejaculatory duct, which empties into the prostatic urethra. The ovaries are part of the female reproductive system and located in the pelvic cavity attached to the uterus. The ovaries produce the female reproductive cell, the ovum, and hormones. The uterus is located in the pelvis between the sacrum and pubic symphysis. The uterus contains and nourishes the embryo and fetus.

Example Question #5 : Reproductive System

At what age does a female's ovary have the most eggs she will ever have in her lifetime?

Possible Answers:

In the reproductive years: ages 20-30

During childhood

At menopause

At birth

In adolescence, at the start of puberty

Correct answer:

At birth

Explanation:

The ovaries contain 1-2 million eggs at birth. This number slowly declines throughout the female's life. The quality of eggs remaining after age 35 is low, whereby years of spontaneous mutation have occurred. 

Example Question #851 : High School Biology

Which of the following is not a means of asexual reproduction?

Possible Answers:

Vegetative propagation

Generation of spores

Fission

Fertilization

Budding

Correct answer:

Fertilization

Explanation:

Fertilization occurs when the genetic material from a sperm and egg combine to form a zygote. This is a form of sexual reproduction because it required the genetic information from two sources to combine, and then form another individual. The new offspring will have genetic material from both parents, making it genetically different from either individual parent.

Asexual reproduction occurs when the offspring come from a single parent and only have the genes from a single parent. Fission typically occurs in bacterial reproduction when a single organism splits into two; each of these pieces of the original organism forms a separate organism with the same genetic material as the parent. Budding occurs when a new organism is formed from a bud off of the original organism. When the process is completed, two separate organisms can survive on their own. Sporogenesis usually happens in plant and fungal species, and occurs when the parent organism forms spores which later develop into mature organisms. Vegetative propagation occurs when a piece of a "parent" plant is cultivated and develops into a new organism. This can be done by scientists and horticulturalists or it can occur naturally. None of these processes require more than a single organism to create offspring, and each offspring will be genetically identical to the parent.

Example Question #7 : Reproductive System

The luteal surge results in which key event in the female reproductive system?

Possible Answers:

Menstruation

Capacitation

Ovulation

Fertilization

Correct answer:

Ovulation

Explanation:

As estrogen increases in the female body, it can cause a spike of luteinizing hormone (LH) resulting in a temporary positive feedback loop (the luteal surge). This spike in estrogen and LH levels causes the follicle to burst, releasing the egg into the fallopian tube. This event is called ovulation.

Example Question #852 : High School Biology

Which gland creates a milky, alkaline solution, which helps sperm survive in the acidic envorionment of the female reproductive tract? 

Possible Answers:

Bulbourtheral glands

Thymus gland

Prostate gland

Adrenal glands

Thyroid gland

Correct answer:

Prostate gland

Explanation:

The bulbourethral glands aid in the process of ejaculation by lubricating the urethra. The thyroid, thymus and adrenal glands are not parts of the reproductive system. The thyroid gland secretes thyroid hormones which controls the body's metabolism and homeostasis. The thymus gland is responsible for secreting thymosine, which facilitates the maturation of T cells of the immune system. The adrenal glands are responsible for regulation of many body processes including the stress response, fluid and electrolyte balance, sex hormone production, blood glucose levels, and the fight, flight and fight response.

Example Question #853 : High School Biology

Which of the following hormones is secreted by the ovaries and is responsible for the development of secondary sex characteristics in females?

Possible Answers:

Testosterone

Corpus luteum

Follicle-stimulating hormone

Estrogen

Luteinizing hormone

Correct answer:

Estrogen

Explanation:

Females' ovaries secrete estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone. Estrogen has many functions, including development of female secondary sex characteristics. Such charactersistics include, but are not limited to: development of breast tissue, redistribution of body fat to the hips, thighs, buttocks, and breasts, and initiation of menses. In females, testosterone functions primarily to increase sexual arousal. Progesterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone play roles in the menstrual cycle. The corpus luteum is formed from the follicle and remains in the ovary after the egg has been released. It secretes progesterone for about two weeks, then deteriorates in the absence of a pregnancy.

Example Question #11 : Reproductive System

Which of the following structures is the site of development and maturation of sperm and secretion of testosterone?

Possible Answers:

Bulbourethral gland

Testes

Fallopian tubes

Ovaries

Prostate gland

Correct answer:

Testes

Explanation:

The male gonads, the testes, are responsible development and maturation of sperm and secretion of testosterone. Ovaries and fallopian tubes can be ruled out because they are found only in females, and thus do not contribute to the development of sperm. The prostate gland does not produce sperm, rather it secretes fluid that nourishes and protects sperm. The bulbourethral gland aids in the process of ejaculation.

Example Question #12 : Reproductive System

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are produced and secreted by which of the following structures?

Possible Answers:

Thyroid gland

Anterior pituitary gland

Hypothalamus

Uterus

Prostate gland

Correct answer:

Anterior pituitary gland

Explanation:

The anterior pituitary gland produces both FSH and LH, two hormones that play key roles in the menstrual cycle. The hypothalamus produces several tropic hormones and is responsible for maintaining homeostatis of the body via the endocrine system. The thyroid gland determines metabolic rate. The prostate gland does not produce any hormones. The uterus does not produce these two hormones; however, since LH and FSH regulate the menstrual cycle, events in the uterus are indirectly influenced by FSH and LH. 

Example Question #13 : Reproductive System

Which of these occurs at the midpoint of the menstrual cycle, between the follicular and luteal phases? 

Possible Answers:

Ovulation

Fertilization

Menstruation

Gestation

Cessation of progesterone production

Correct answer:

Ovulation

Explanation:

At the midpoint of the 28-day menstrual cycle, ovulation occurs. This involves the realease of one mature egg from the follicle in one ovary. Fertilization refers to the fusion of the nuclei of a sperm and an egg, resulting in a zygote. Menstruation occurs at the beginning of the menstrual cycle, around days 2-7. Gestation refers to the period marked by pregnancy. During the time of ovulation, progesterone levels are gradually rising, preparing the uterus for reception of the implanted zygote.

Example Question #14 : Reproductive System

Testosterone is synthesized by __________.

Possible Answers:

spermatic cord

seminal vesicles

the scrotum

sertoli cells

leydig cells

Correct answer:

leydig cells

Explanation:

Testosterone is synthesized by Leydig cells. Sertoli cells aid in spermatogenesis. The seminal vesicles secrete semen, which comprises most of the seminal fluid. The scrotum is the skin pouch which contains the testes. The spermatic cord contains the vas deferens, nerves, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels. Note that Leydig cells are sometimes called interstitial cells.

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