Function of the OVARY

Answer 1

The ovaries have two distinct functions. They produce ova (also called eggs) and they produce female hormones.

Every month during ovulation either the right or left ovary will produce a single mature eggs for fertilization. Even though only one egg will be fully mature during the ovulation period, there are approximately ten to twenty follicles (ovarian follicles are made up of a hollow ball of cells that contain an n immature egg in the center) that begin the process of maturation every month, with any excess follicles being reabsorbed before ovulation occurs.

After the ovary releases an egg it then begins its journey to the oviducts where it travels for several days into the uterus. The egg moves along through the fallopian tubes by wavelike muscle contractions within the fallopian tube. The fallopian tubes are lined interiorly with cilia that help move the sperm towards the egg if a woman has had unprotected intercourse. The fertilization of an egg with sperm usually occurs in the fallopian tubes nearest the ovary. It then takes another five to six days for the fertilized egg to reach the uterus.

The main source of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone come from the ovaries. These hormones are responsible for controlling the development of the female body characteristics including, breast size, and body shape.

The whole process of ovulation begins with, and is controlled by, a drop in the level of a hormone called estrogen. When the estrogen level drops the hypothalamus is sent a signal to increase its secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone which then sends a message to the pituitary gland to increase its secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone. This increase of the follicle-stimulating hormone is responsible for the growth of ten to twenty ovarian follicles. Estrogen is also secreted by some of the cells into the follicle. In addition, estrogen controls the growth of the uterine lining during the first phase of the menstrual cycle, and regulates various metabolic processes.

Another hormone called progesterone is also produced by the cells in the ovarian follicles. This occurs just before ovulation occurs. If pregnancy has not occurred, after ovulation the empty follicle (called the corpus luteum) is then reabsorbed into the body. These unfertilized eggs then either disintegrate or flow out of the body unnoticeably with vaginal secretions. If on the other hand, pregnancy does occur the follicle produces hormones that will help to sustain the pregnancy.

Answer 2

The ovum is the part of the female reproductive system. It is located in the ovaries. It is a eukaryotic cell. The cell is haploid (A cell or an organism having half of the number of chromosomes in somatic cells) so that when a sperm cell fertilizes it, it forms a diploid zygote (A cell in diploid state following fertilization or union of haploid male sex cell and haploid female sex cell). Once it's fertilized, the female becomes pregnant.

It does NOT, however, produce sperm cells.

Answer 3

Ova is the plural for ovum, which is the female gamete (sex cell). An ovum can also be called an egg.

Its function is to fuse with a sperm cell during fertilization, and create a zygote. This can then go on to create a new organism (offspring).

Answer 4

The primary function of the ovaries is to nurture and prepare oocytes (eggs) for the process of ovulation (rupture and release of the mature egg from the ovary).