Question

1. List/locate on an illustration/model the male reproductive glands.

2. Name/ID the endocrine organs/glands on a model/picture and name the hormone(s) produced by each gland. Describe a simple function for each hormone

3. Name the specializations of the small intestine from largest to smallest structure. What is their purpose?

Answer 1

1.The male reproductive glands are Seminal vescicles,prostate gland and bulbourethral glands,Ampullary gland.
Seminal Vesicles or vesicular gland are a pair of glands found within pelvis.This helps in the production of semen in male.It is about 5cm long which is located between bladder fundus and rectum.The is lined with mucosa by pseudostratified columnar epithelium.These cells are responsible for the production of semen.

Prostate gland is a gland only in males.It is located beneath the bladder surrounding the urethra.It is an exocrine gland.Its function is to produce prostate fluid that together with sperm cells and fluids from other glands makes semen.There are ducts from prostate flowing to urethra.The muscles of prostate helps to forcefully press to urethra and then to expel outwards.

Bulbourethral glands
These are pair of pea shaped glands and are exocrine gland.It is located beneath the prostate gland.The ducts of these glands that flows to urethra.They also add fluids to semen during ejaculation.They contains network of tubules that has muscle and elastic tissues.It also helps expel any urine residues to prepare for ejaculation.Their secretions are alkaline and neutralises acidity in urethra.

Ampullary glands are glands which has branched tubular structure.It is lined by columnar epithelium.This produces a yellow fluid that is added to semen.

2.The endocrine system is made of a network of glands that secretes diffrent hormones.Many functions of the body is controlled by these hormones such as growth,metabolism,reproduction,homeostasis,stimulus response etc.The glands that belongs to the endocrine system are hypothalamus, Pituitary gland,pineal gland,parathyroid,thyroid gland,thymus gland,Adrenal gland,Pancreas ,ovaries for female and testes for male.
Hypothalamus is a gland located in the brain.It helps in the regulation of metabolic processes and also activities like controlling body temperature ,hunger,thirst,fatigue etc.It produces hormones corticotrophin releasing hormone, dopamine, growth hormone releasing hormone, somatostatin, gonadotrophin releasing hormone and thyrotrophin releasing hormone,anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin .For example the oxitocin is responsible for social bonding.

Pituitary gland is a small sized gland that has two main parts, the anterior pituitary gland and the posterior pituitary gland.The anterior pituitary gland is connected to brain through blood vessels and posterior pituitary gland is part of the brain and it secretes hormones directly into the bloodstream.Hormones produced by this gland are luteinising hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin, growth hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), oxytocin, anti-diuretic hormone (ADH), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH).For example Prolactin acts on reproductive system and also regulates immune system.

Pineal gland is a gland in brain that produces a hormone called melatonin.It helps to regulate sleep patterns.

Parathyroid glands are glands located in neck that secretes hormone to monitor calcium levels.It releases parathyroid hormone which regulates Vit D and calcium levels.

Thyroid is gland located in neck and rich in blood vessels.It uses iodine to produce hormones Triiodothyronine (T3) ,Thyroxine (T4) and calcitonin.The thyroid hormones helps to increase metabolic rate, protein synthesis, help regulate long bone growth etc.

Thymus is a gland located behind the breast bone.It produces thymopoietin and thymulin which helps development and selection of T cells in immune system.

Adrenal glands are located above kidneys.It produces adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol, aldosterone.Adrenaline helps to increase heart rate,pressure and triggers the bodys fight or flight responses.

Pancreas is located in the abdomen area.It produces insulin, glucagon, somatostatin.Insulin helps regulate blood glucose levels.

Ovaries are female rteproductive organ that produces eggs for fertilization.It produces  oestrogen, progesterone hormones that helps reproduction.

Testes is a male reproductive gland that produces the male hormone testosterone that helps to develope male characteristics and reproduction.