Grade 6 Human Reproduction

New Vocabulary
English Word Definition
Sperm Male reproductive cells

Egg Female reproductive cell

Penis Tube-like structure that delivers sperm to the female reproductive

system
Testes One of the two male reproductive organs that produce sperm

Semen Mixture of sperm and other fluids

Ovary Organ in females where oocytes are stored and reach maturity

Vagina Part of the female reproductive system that connects the uterus to the
outside of the body
Menstrual Cycle Prepares the ovaries and uterus for new offspring

Ovulation Process in which an egg is released from the ovary

Fertilization Joining of an egg and a sperm

Zygote Fertilized egg

Pregnancy Period of development from fertilized egg to birth

Placenta Organ formed from the outer cells of the zygote and cells from the
uterus
Umbilical cord Ropelike structure that is formed from outer zygote cells and that
attaches the developing offspring to the placenta
Embryo Term used to name a zygote— from the time it attaches to the uterus
until the end of the eighth week of pregnancy
Fetus Term used to name a developing embryo––from the time between
nine weeks and birth
Cervix Small structure between the uterus and the vagina

Puberty Process in which the reproductive system matures; occurs during

adolescence
Function of the Reproductive System
A reproductive system is a group of organs which enables reproductive cells to join and
form new offspring. The male reproductive cell is called sperm and the female reproductive
cell is called an egg.

Male Reproductive System

The main function of the male reproductive system is to produce and transport sperm to
the female reproductive system.

Parts and Functions of the Male Reproductive System

Testes Male reproductive organ that produces sperm
Scrotum A saclike structure holding the testes
Sperm Duct Store sperm
The Penis A tube like structure that delivers sperm to the female reproductive
system

Sperm development can occur only at a temperature that is lower than normal body
temperature. Because the scrotum is outside the male’s body, it is at a temperature slightly
lower than normal body temperature. Once sperm develop, they move to a tube called the
sperm duct and are stored and mature. When ejaculation takes place sperm mix with fluids
of various glands and now called semen. Semen also contains nutrients that provide sperm
with energy to swim. Semen leaves the body through urethra in the penis.
Parts and Functions of Sperm
A Head Contains DNA and substances that help the sperm join with an egg
Midpiece Contains Mitochondria that are organelles that produce energy
Tail Turns like a boat propeller and allows the sperm to move

Although semen contains millions of sperm, only one sperm joins with an egg

Female Reproductive System

Both the male and female reproductive systems produce reproductive cells. Males produce
sperm, and females produce immature eggs called oocytes.

Parts and Functions of the Female Reproductive System

Ovary Organ where an egg (or ovum) is produced and stored – only release an
ovum once a month
Fallopian Tube Carries released ovum to the uterus – contains hair like structures
called cilia to move the egg
Uterus Where a fertilized egg develops – Provide nourishment
Vagina Where sperm enters the female body and where a developed baby
moves through during birth
Egg Female Reproductive cells, about 2,000 times larger than a sperm and
contain DNA, a female usually releases only one egg at a time.
Menstrual Cycle

A female usually releases one egg at a time. An egg is released only when the uterus is
ready to nourish it. The ovaries and the uterus go through changes called the menstrual
cycle. One menstrual cycle is about 28 days long and can be divided into three phases. It is
called a cycle because the phases repeat.

Phase 1
The menstrual cycle begins with a process called menstruation. During menstruation,
tissue, fluid, and blood cells pass from the uterus through the vagina and are removed from
the body. Menstruation usually lasts about five days.

Phase 2
The tissue lining the uterus thickens and in the ovary, several oocytes (immature eggs)
begin maturing at the same time. Near the end of this phase, hormones cause an egg to be
released from the ovary in a process called ovulation.

Phase 3
If Fertilization takes place the lining of the uterus (Endometrium) will continue to thicken
and provide a developing embryo with nutrients and oxygen.
If fertilization did not take place the endometrium breaks down and the menstrual cycle
repeats itself.

Menopause
When females get older, the reproductive system stops releasing eggs. It usually happens
between the ages of 45 and 55.
Human Growth and Development

Stages of Development
1. Fertilization
2. Development before birth
3. Birth
4. Infancy
5. Childhood
6. Adolescence
7. Adulthood

Fertilization
If sperm enter the vagina, they travel to the uterus and up into the fallopian tubes.
Although millions of sperm are released into the vagina, most die before reaching the
fallopian tubes. A sperm contains substances that help its cell membrane join with the cell
membrane of an egg. Only one sperm and one egg combine to create a new human. When
the nucleus (DNA) of the sperm joins with the nucleus (DNA) of the egg, fertilization is
complete

Zygote Formation
A fertilized egg is called a zygote. Human zygotes contain 46 chromosomes of DNA—23
chromosomes from the sperm cell (father) and 23 chromosomes from the egg cell
(mother). The zygote moves through the fallopian tube to the uterus. As it moves toward
the uterus, the zygote undergoes cell division many times, developing into a ball of cells

Multiple Births
When a zygote splits identical twins are formed – They are always the same gender and
look very similar. When more than one egg is released by the ovary and fertilized by
different sperm non-identical (fraternal) twins form – they can be different gender
Development before birth
The tissue lining the uterus, the endometrium, thickens during the menstrual cycle. After
fertilization, the zygote enters the uterus and attaches to the endometrium (called
implantation).
The period of development from fertilized egg to birth is called pregnancy. The outer cells
of the zygote form an organ called the placenta and a rope-like structure called the
umbilical cord, which attaches the developing fetus to the placenta. The umbilical cord
passes nutrients and oxygen from the mother and remove waste and CO 2.

From Zygote to Embryo

Before implantation a fertilized egg is called a Zygote, from implantation until the end of
the eighth week of pregnancy, it is called an Embryo. During this time cells divide and grow.
The brain, heart, limbs, fingers, and toes start to form. Bones and reproductive tissues
begin to develop. The ears and eyelids can be seen.

From Embryo to Fetus

During the time between nine weeks and birth, the developing baby is called a fetus. Organ
systems begin to function, and the fetus continues to grow in size. The fetus is now able to
move its arms and legs and the heartbeat can be heard. The bones fully develop but are still
soft, and the lungs mature. The fetus can respond to sounds from outside the uterus, such
as its mother’s voice.
Birth
A fetus leaves its mother’s body and enters the world through a process called birth,
Hormones cause changes to the female reproductive system. These changes, called labor,
help a fetus leave the uterus.

Labor and Delivery

Labor begins when hormones that are released by the endocrine system cause muscles in
the uterus to contract and a small structure between the uterus and the vagina, called the
cervix begins to open. As more hormones are released, muscles in the uterus continue to
contract faster and more strongly and the cervix opens wider to enable the fetus to leave
the body. The contractions push a fetus into the vagina and out of the woman’s body. After
the fetus is delivered, the placenta breaks away from the uterus and also exits the woman’s
body through the vagina.
Cesarean Section

Sometimes delivery of a fetus does not occur as shown in Doctors can deliver the fetus by a
surgical process called a cesarean section, or C-section. During a C-section, an incision is
made in the mother’s abdominal wall and in the wall of the uterus. The baby is delivered
through the openings in the uterine and abdominal walls.

C-sections are often performed to prevent harm to a fetus and its mother and when a
mother is unable to deliver the baby through normal labor.
Development after Birth
Infancy (0 – 2 Years)

Once a baby is born and does not depend directly on the mother for nutrients and oxygen and starts to
function on its own. For the first time the baby starts to use its own respiratory system and digestive
system. The brain and organs continue to develop.

Childhood (2 – 12 Years)

The period following Infancy when a baby starts to walk and eat by itself. The brain and bones continue to
develop and mature.

Adolescence (12 – 18 Years)

The reproductive system matures in a process called puberty. Hormone cause changes in the body.

Males: Females:
1. Voice Deepen 1. Breasts develop
2. Pubic and Facial hair develop 2. Pubic hair develop
3. Muscles become stronger and bigger 3. Hips widen

Adulthood (18 + Years)

Physical growing stops and reproductive system is mature.