Gonad
Gonad
Gonad (/ˈɡoʊ.næd/; from Ancient Greek: γόνος, gónos, "seed") is a term used in the field of medicine and biology to refer to the primary reproductive organs that produce gametes. In males, these are the testes, and in females, the ovaries. Gonads are responsible for producing sex hormones that control secondary sexual characteristics, as well as the germ cells necessary for reproduction.
Etymology
The term "gonad" is derived from the Ancient Greek word γόνος (gónos), which translates to "seed" or "generation". This reflects the gonad's role in generating life.
Function
Gonads serve two main functions: the production of gametes (sperm in males and eggs in females) and the secretion of sex hormones. The specific hormones produced vary between males and females. In males, the gonads (testes) produce testosterone, while in females, the gonads (ovaries) produce estrogen and progesterone.
Related Terms
- Gamete: A mature haploid male or female germ cell that is able to unite with another of the opposite sex in sexual reproduction to form a zygote.
- Testes: The male gonads, which produce sperm and secrete male sex hormones.
- Ovaries: The female gonads, which produce eggs and secrete female sex hormones.
- Sex Hormones: Hormones that influence sex and sexual function.
- Testosterone: The primary male sex hormone.
- Estrogen: One of the primary female sex hormones.
- Progesterone: A female sex hormone that plays vital roles in the menstrual cycle and in maintaining the early stages of pregnancy.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Gonad
- Wikipedia's article - Gonad
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski