MCAT Biology : Male Reproductive Physiology
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Example Question #1 : Reproductive System
What cell type is responsible for testosterone production in human males?
Zona pellucida
Sertoli cells
Spermatogonia
Cells of Leydig
Cells of Leydig
This question requires knowledge of the different cell types in the human male’s reproductive anatomy. The cells of Leydig (also known as the interstitial cells) secrete testosterone and other androgens (male sex hormones), while the Sertoli cells are responsible for nourishing developing sperm. Spermatogonia are sperm cell precursors, and the zona pellucida refers to one of the layers surrounding an ovum.
Example Question #4 : Reproductive System
The scrotum is responsible for which of the following in the male repoductive system?
Lubrication
Androgen synthesis
Synthesis of sperm
Nourishment of sperm
Temperature regulation
Temperature regulation
The scrotum is a bag of skin containing the testes. The importance of the scrotum is to regulate temperature because sperm synthesis in the testes must occur at a few degrees below body temperature. The testes are the location of sperm synthesis, androgen synthesis occurs in the interstitial cells, nourishment of the sperm takes place in the seminal vesicles, and lubrication occurs in the bulbourethral glands.
Example Question #2 : Reproductive System
Which of the following answer choices correctly describes the path of a mature sperm, during normal male ejaculation?
Seminiferous tubule → Epididymis → Vas deferens → Ejaculatory duct
Seminal vesicle → Epididymis → Vas deferens → Ejaculatory duct
Vas deferens → Epididymis → Urethra → Penis
Epididymis → Vas deferens → Ejaculatory duct → Urinary bladder
Seminiferous tubule → Epididymis → Vas deferens → Ejaculatory duct
This question requires knowledge of the ejaculatory path in human males. The quick mnemonic for memorizing the pathway is SEVEn UP (Seminiferous tubule, Epididymus, Vas deferens, Ejaculatory duct, nothing, Urethra, Penis). Additionally, this alerts us to an important characteristic of the MCAT. Oftentimes, answer choices for pathway questions will neither start at the beginning of the pathway nor end at the absolute end of the pathway. Because of this, be sure to know all steps of a pathway, not just the beginning or end.
Example Question #1 : Male Reproductive Physiology
In the male reproductive tract, sperm cells follow a specific path. Which of the following do sperm cells enter after traveling through the epididymis?
Penis
Seminiferous tubules
Urethra
Ejaculatory duct
Vas deferens
Vas deferens
Sperm cells in the male reproductive tract are first created in the seminiferous tubules of the testes. From there they travel through the epididymis, vas deferens, ejaculatory duct, urethra, and penis.
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