Video Transcript
Which of the following statements
about the gonads is true? (A) In males and females, the
gonads produce gametes and other sexual organs produce sex hormones. (B) In males but not in females,
the gonads produce gametes and other organs produce sex hormones. (C) In males but not in females,
the gonads produce both gametes and sex hormones. (D) In males and females, the
gonads produce both gametes and sex hormones.
This question asks us about the
gonads in males and females. Gonads, as you might recall, is the
scientific term for sex organs. This includes the ovaries in
females and the testes in males. Let’s review these structures in
order to answer this question.
In females, the gonads include the
ovaries. The ovaries serve as endocrine
glands that secrete sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. These hormones are both implicated
in sexual function and development for females. In addition to the sex hormones,
ovaries also produce egg cells, or gametes. Therefore, ovaries secrete sex
hormones and produce gametes, which are involved in the reproductive process in
females.
In males, the gonads include the
testes. The testes secrete the sex hormone
testosterone. Testosterone is considered an
androgen, or male sex hormone, though it is produced in females as well. Testosterone has many functions in
the development of secondary sexual characteristics in males. In addition to the sex hormones,
the testes also produce sperm cells, or gametes. When a sperm and egg cell join
together, fertilization occurs, and the resulting zygote can form a pregnancy. Therefore, just like the ovaries in
the female, the testes in males secrete sex hormones and produce gametes.
Now that we’ve discussed the gonads
in both males and females, we can answer our question. The correct statement regarding the
gonads is given by answer choice (D). In males and females, the gonads
produce both gametes and sex hormones.
