5 Things We Still Get Wrong About Human Reproduction

What is a recent scientific discovery about egg production in humans?

• Humans are born with all the egg cells they will ever have.

• Oogonial stem cells can create new oocytes in adulthood.

• New egg cells are only produced during fetal development.

• Only animals like mice and rats can produce new egg cells in adulthood.

What percentage of people actually have a 28-day menstrual cycle?

• 100%

• 65%

• 13%

• 50%

What is true about the timing of ovulation in a menstrual cycle?

• Ovulation always occurs precisely on day 14 of a cycle.

• The timing of ovulation is highly variable among individuals and within a person's lifetime.

• Ovulation consistently happens two weeks after menstruation starts.

• The follicular phase is always 17 days long.

Why is it possible to get pregnant from unprotected sex during menstruation?

• Sperm cannot survive for more than a few hours.

• Ovulation always occurs exactly two weeks after menstruation starts.

• The fertile window is always outside the days of menstruation.

• Sperm can survive for several days, and ovulation timing can be highly variable.

Which of the following is NOT a way the female reproductive tract helps sperm move towards the egg?

• Muscular contractions in the uterus

• Flow of secretions and cilia in the fallopian tube

• Immune defenses eliminating sperm

• Hyper-activating sperm in the tubal isthmus

What role does the female reproductive tract play in sperm selection?

• It only allows the fastest sperm to reach the egg.

• It weeds out abnormal sperm and can separate them based on genetic content.

• It provides all the energy for sperm to swim to the egg.

• It ensures all sperm have an equal chance of fertilizing the egg.

How does fertilization primarily occur between sperm and egg?

• The fastest sperm physically breaks through the egg's outer layer.

• The sperm uses brute force to enter the egg.

• Through complex protein interactions between the sperm and parts of the egg.

• The egg actively pulls the sperm inside using its tail.

What new discovery suggests that eggs might have a role in selecting genetic material from sperm?

• Eggs are able to physically block certain sperm from entering.

• Eggs can somehow select certain sperm based on their DNA.

• Eggs release chemicals that only attract the strongest sperm.

• Eggs can change their genetic makeup after fertilization.