Final answer:
The prostate gland is located below the urinary bladder and surrounds the upper end of the urethra. It secretes a vital fluid that becomes part of the semen, helping to manage the semen's consistency for sperm mobility.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prostate Gland Location and Function
The prostate gland is anatomically positioned below the urinary bladder and surrounds the prostatic urethra, which is the portion of the urethra that runs within the prostate. Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is option 2) Below the urinary bladder and on the upper end of the urethra. The prostate is vital in reproductive function as it secretes an alkaline, milky fluid that is critical for the lifecycle of semen. This secretion coagulates and then decoagulates the semen after ejaculation, which aids in sperm mobility and ultimately in fertilization. The prostate's secretions make up about 30 percent of the total volume of semen, which includes citrate, enzymes, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA). PSA is particularly important as it helps liquefy the ejaculate, facilitating sperm's journey.
Related Anatomy and Function
The prostate gland is about the size of a walnut and consists of both muscular and glandular tissues. It lies anterior to the rectum and is encapsulated by the seminal vesicles and the bulbourethral glands, which also play a role in semen composition and function. The male reproductive system's organization ensures that the sperm are adequately prepared for the possibility of fertilization once they are ejaculated.