Endocrine system
This hormone released from adipose tissue regulates appetite and energy expenditure by acting on the hypothalamus.
What is leptin?
The blood-testis barrier is formed by these cells and serves this primary function.
What are Sertoli cells; they protect developing sperm from immune attack.
Explain how oxytocin and prostaglandins interact during labor.
What is oxytocin induces contractions, which stimulate prostaglandin release, enhancing labor?
Which extraembryonic membrane is responsible for early blood cell formation and contributes to the gut?
What is the yolk sac?
Which germ layer gives rise to the adrenal cortex and the cardiovascular system?
What is the mesoderm?
The zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex primarily secretes this hormone class, involved in glucose metabolism.
What are glucocorticoids?
Name the hormone responsible for maintaining the corpus luteum post-ovulation if fertilization occurs.
What is human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)?
Describe the dual feedback regulation of FSH and LH during the ovarian cycle.
What is negative feedback by estrogen/progesterone and positive feedback mid-cycle by estrogen?
Describe the role of syncytiotrophoblasts in early pregnancy.
What are cells that invade the uterine lining and secrete hCG to maintain the corpus luteum?
Define the allantois and its contribution to fetal structures.
What is an embryonic structure that contributes to the formation of the umbilical cord?
This hypothalamic hormone inhibits prolactin secretion from the anterior pituitary.
What is dopamine (or prolactin-inhibiting hormone)?
Explain the role of androgen-binding protein in spermatogenesis.
What is ABP binds testosterone to maintain high local concentrations in seminiferous tubules?
Cortisol exerts what type of effect on the immune system, and through what mechanism?
What is immunosuppressive; inhibits inflammatory cytokine production.
By what mechanism does hCG prevent menstruation during early pregnancy?
What is maintaining the corpus luteum so it continues secreting estrogen and progesterone?
Which signaling molecule induces neural plate formation from ectoderm?
What is the notochord or Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) protein?
Describe the pathway and effect of TRH on thyroid hormone production.
What is TRH stimulates TSH from anterior pituitary, which stimulates T3/T4 from thyroid?
Identify the uterine layer responsive to estrogen and progesterone and describe its function.
What is the endometrium; supports implantation and sheds during menstruation.
Which second messenger pathway is activated by epinephrine in liver cells?
What is cAMP via the beta-adrenergic receptor activating adenylate cyclase?
What is the importance of the chorionic villi in placental development?
What are structures that allow fetal blood to exchange nutrients and gases with maternal blood?
Describe the significance of the primitive streak during development.
What is the site where cells begin to migrate during gastrulation to form germ layers?
This feedback mechanism regulates cortisol levels via CRH and ACTH.
What is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (negative feedback)?
What are the anatomical and hormonal differences between male and female gonads?
What are testes and ovaries; testes produce testosterone, ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone?
Explain how prolactin and oxytocin are hormonally regulated during lactation.
What is prolactin stimulated by PRFs for milk production; oxytocin released for milk ejection?
Differentiate between gastrulation and neurulation in embryonic development.
What is gastrulation forms 3 germ layers; neurulation forms neural tube from ectoderm?
What is the role of amniotic fluid, and how is it produced?
What is cushioning the fetus; initially maternal plasma, later fetal urine contributes?