Biology

Male accessory sex organs: Seminal vesicles and bulbourethral glands

len Alfred Ajibola - Mon, 02nd March, 2020 @ 6:05 PM

Topics in Biology

Cellular respiration in biology Len Academy biology mock questions for waec Len Academy biology midterm questions for SS1, 2nd Term Characteristics of saltwater habitat Aquatic habitat explained with its types Types of habitat: Terrestrial habitat explained with examples What is habitat? Difference between plant cell and animal cell Nucleus explained with its structures Nucleus explained with its types and functions Organelles of the cell explained with their characteristics Eukaryotic cell explained with its characteristics Prokaryotic cell explained with its structure Characteristics of prokaryotic cell Concept of cell Cell theory in biology Importance and limitations of ecological pyramid Protists explained with their characteristics Contents of the scrotum: Epididymis, vas deferens, spermatic cord and cremaster muscle Tropical savanna explained with its characteristics


Academic Questions in Biology

Please click here to see all Questions and Answers

Male Reproductive System - Len Academy

From the above diagram, which of the organ below isn't a requirement for the male reproductive system?

  • A. Bladder

  • B. Ureter

  • C. Glans Penis

  • D. Testis

  • E. Bulbourethral Gland

  • F. Epididymis

A walnut shaped male accessory sex organ located between the bladder and penis is the _____.

  • A. Ductus Ejaculatorii

  • B. Bulbourethral Gland

  • C. Prostate Gland

  • D. Ductus Deferens

  • E. Seminal Vesicles

  • F. Epididymis

In a food chain, the primary consumers are classified under trophic level  _____.

  • A. Zero

  • B. One

  • C. Two

  • D. Three

  • E. Four

  • F. Five

Cold blooded animals are referred to as _____.

  • A. Homeotherms

  • B. Endotherms

  • C. Poilokitherms

  • D. Ectotherms

  • E. Thermotherms

  • F. None of the above

All reptiles are vertebrates.

  • A. True

  • B. False

_____ cells are responsible for the formation of osteoblasts.

  • A. Osteocytes
  • B. Chondrocytes
  • C. Chondroblasts
  • D. Osteoclasts
  • E. Osteoprogenitor cells
  • F. Osteoblastic

_____ is a bone that constitute the axial skeleton.

  • A. Clavicle
  • B. Scapula
  • C. Patella
  • D. Radius
  • E. Sternum
  • F. Femur

Which of the following is false concerning cartilages and bones?

  • A. Cartilage does not have a direct blood supply while bones have direct blood supply
  • B. The process of ossification replaces a cartilage to bone
  • C. The protein that makes up cartilage is called chondrin while that that makes up bone is called ossein
  • D. Cartilage grows from both ends while bones grow from one of its epiphysis
  • E. They both have living cells within them
  • F. Haversian system is absent in cartilage but present in bones



Male accessory sex organs

Semen produced by males require the active functions of the male accessory sex organs to become properly formed. In fact, without these accessory organs, sperms present within the semen may become unable to fertilize an ova or egg within the fallopian tube (or oviduct) of the female reproductive system.

To better comprehend the distinctions between semen and sperm, please read on the male reproductive system (scrotum and its contents) here.


The accessory male reproductive organs include the followings:

  1. Seminal Vesicles
  2. Prostate Gland

    Please read on the male accessory sex organs (prostate glands and ejaculatory ducts) here.

  3. Bulbourethral Glands or Cowper's Glands

The focus of this article will be on the seminal vesicles and and bulbourethral glands as male accessory sex organs:

 

  • Seminal Vesicles

A male has a pair of seminal vesicles (vesicula seminalis) located just above the prostrate gland; and posterior to the base of the urinary bladder. It is shown in the image below:

Seminal Vesicle - Len Academy

The main function of the seminal vesicle is to add viscous and alkaline secretions to the sperm already present in the ejaculatory ducts.


The secretions or fluid of the seminal vesicle does the following:

  • The alkalinity of this fluid helps to neutralize any acidity produced in the environment of the urethra. Understand that the acidity of the urethral environment may result from the passage of acidic urine through it.
    You can read on the concepts and definitions of acid here.
  • The secretions of the seminal vesicles also neutralizes the acidic environment of the vagina, hence fostering sperm survival within it.

The seminal fluid is composed up of the followings:


1. Fructose

This is a simple sugar utilized for Adenosine TriPhosphate (ATP) generation.

ATP is the energy essential for sperm motility. This is important because the sperms may swim upwards (against gravity) in the female reproductive tract.

For now, you can think of ATP as the energy currency of the body.

Please read more on carbohydrates and sugars here.


2. Prostaglandins

They reduce the negative effects of the female immune system that may act upon the sperm cells. This process increases the chances of a sperm's survival in the female reproductive tract.

Please read on immunization here.


3. Semenogelin

This fluid creates a gel like structure around the sperm, thus protecting it. The appearance of semen is largely attributed to the viscosity of the semenogelin.

 

  • Bulbourethral Glands

They are also called the Cowper’s gland.

The bulbourethral glands are two pea like shaped organs located just below the prostate gland and at the beginning (or root) of the penis.

Please read on male reproductive system (penis and parts of the penis) here.

The anatomical position of the bulbourethral glands are shown in the image below:

Cowper's Gland - Len Academy


In addition to the prostate and seminal fluids, the bulbourethral glands also secrete fluid into the semen during the process of ejaculation. The fluid from the bulbourethral glands serve the following functions:

  • The fluid is clear and thick, functioning to lubricate the urethra. The semen flows out of the penis through the lubricated urethra.
  • It is also considered that the bulbourethral secretions creates a better condition for sperm cells to survive.

Note: Although the urethra isn't considered a part of the male accessory reproductive gland, it still performs a vital role in the male reproductive system.

You can read an introduction to the human brain here.

Below is a summarized explanation on the urethra:


  • Urethra

The male urethra is a single tube-like structure that serves two functions. These are:

  1. Micturition. (The act of urinating).
  2. Conduction and movement of semen during ejaculation.

In males, the urethra is a narrow fibro-muscular tube that conducts urine from the bladder to the exterior. It also conducts semen from the ejaculatory ducts to the exterior. It is shown below:

Male Urethra - Len Academy

The conduction on urine and semen through the urethra does not occur simultaneously.

The male urethra is about 7 to 8 inches in length; and it runs through the prostate gland, seminal vesicles and the entire length of the penis before emptying its content to the exterior.


The urethra has three sections. These are:

  1. Prostatic Urethra: This is the uppermost portion of the urethra. It lies inside the prostate gland.

  2. Membranous Urethra: This is the segment within the urethral sphincter. It is important to state that urine or semen can only come out singly (one at a time); and that's when the membranous urethra is opened.

  3. Spongy or Penile Urethra: This is the lowest and longest section of the urethra. It lies within the entire length of the penis, leading to the exterior. (Please see the image above).

Note: The exterior opening of the urethra is also called the external urethral orifice or meatus.

Kindly share this article via the links below:


len


Please click here to contact Alfred if you require any of the following services:

  • If you need a standard website at an affordable price.

  • Online training on the academic subjects: biology, chemistry and basic science.

  • If you require an advanced smart school management system (web application) for your school.

Click here to read on Len Academy Smart School Software.


Please click here to follow Len Academy on Google News.


Please Register here or Login here to contribute to this topic by commenting in the box below.


Amazing facts in Biology

Russia is home to the largest area of forest in our world with a land mass of 815 million hectares

Giant Squid - Len Academy

Giant squid lives deep in the ocean and they have the largest eyes in the world

The movements of the fingers are controlled by muscles of the palms and forehands

Platypus - Len Academy

Platypus (sometimes referred to as the duck-billed platypus) is an egg-laying, semiaquatic mammal found in eastern Australia. It has no stomach and as such, its food goes from the mouth through the esophagus and directly to their intestines.

Pufferfish - Len Academy

Pufferfish contain a toxin called tetrodotoxin. This makes them foul tasting and poisonous to predators. Tetrodotoxin is about 1,200 times more poisonous than cyanide, and there is enough toxin in one pufferfish to kill 30 adult humans. Unfortunately, there isn't any known antidote to this poison.

Interestingly, a delicacy in Japan (called fugu) is made from pufferfish. This meal is very expensive, and must be prepared by trained and licensed chefs. An improper preparation of fugu may lead to the customer's death. Sadly, such deaths are recorded annually

Wombat - Len Academy ​​​​​​

Wombats are the only animal with a cube-shaped poo. They can stack up these cube-shaped poo, marking their territory with it

Robert Waldow - Len Academy

Robert Wadlow (1918–1940) remains the tallest man ever recorded in the Guinness World Records. He was an American who stood at 8 feet, 11 inches.

An abnormally enlarged pituitary gland had resulted into Robert Wadlow's giant size.

Cockroach is the fastest land animal on six legs

Laughing ape - Len Academy

Like humans, all apes laugh when tickled

Ostrich eye and brain - Len Academy

An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain


Notable points in Biology

Layers of an Artery - Len Academy

An artery is composed of three layers:

  • The outermost layer is termed tunica adventitia (or tunica external). It consist mainly of collagen fibres and connective tissues that anchors the arteries to other nearby tissues.

  • The middle layer is named tunica media. It is made up of smooth muscles and elastic fibres that supports the artery in conveying blood at high pressures.

  • The inner layer is called tunica intima (or tunica internal). It is lined by a smooth tissue called endothelium, and is made up of a fine network of connective tissues.

Please read on the layers of an artery here

All living organisms possess various features in order to survive in their environment. This is the concept of adaptation. As an instance, a fish is able to live in water because it has gills and fins.

Also, a camel is able to survive in the desert because it has large feet to aid walking on sand without sinking. It also has long eyelashes to help protect it from the blowing sand and wind.

Plants are also able to live in different habitats because they have the required adaptive features towards that habitat. For instance:

  • Plants that live in/on water are termed hydrophytes.

  • Plants that live on land with moderate amount of water are termed mesophytes.

  • Plants that live on deserts or arid lands are termed xerophytes.

The point is:

All organisms have various features on them that enables them adapt in their habitat

For a thing to be considered living, it must possess all the basic characteristics of life. These include:

  1. Movement

  2. Respiration

  3. Nutrition

  4. Irritability or Sensitivity

  5. Growth

  6. Excretion

  7. Reproduction

  8. Death

  9. Adaptation

  10. Competition

Please read the explanations on all the basic characteristics of life here

During strenuous exercises like sprinting or running, your body may actually work in the shortage of oxygen. During this time, your body owes oxygen (called oxygen debt) and it must be replenished or repayed after the exercise is stopped. This is why you breathe excess of oxygen after you stopped the exercise.

This is the concept of anaerobic respiration

Food Chain - Len Academy

A food chain is a diagram that shows the relationship between plants and animals within a habitat on the basis of how they rely on each other for food.

Note: Habitat is a place where an organism live. It is of three types:

  • Terrestrial (Land)
  • Aquatic (Water)
  • Arboreal (Treetops)

You can read on food chain here