Human reproduction

Related terms
Gonad: organ in reproductive system that produces sex cells/gametes. In male it is testis
(plural. testes) and in female it is ovary (plural. ovaries)
Puberty: time of life cycle of an individual when the person starts releasing sex hormones. It
occurs in female around 11 years of age and in male around 13 years of age.
Secondary sexual characteristics: the characters that are visible in an individual due to release
of sex hormones.
Menstrual cycle/ period: a recurring cycle in which the endometrial lining of the uterus
prepares for pregnancy. If pregnancy doesn’t’ occur the lining is shed at menstruation.
Menstruation: the monthly discharge of blood from the uterus of nonpregnant women from
puberty to menopause.
Menopause: the time in a woman’s life in which the menstrual cycle ends (i.e., they stop
producing egg cell).
Ovulation: release of mature egg cell from ovary into oviduct.
Semen: the thick white fluid containing sperm cells that is ejaculated by the male genital tract.
Semen = sperm (spermatozoa) + seminal fluid (80%)

Male reproductive system

1. Scrotum/scrotal sac
2. Testis (pl. testes)
3. Epididymis
4. Sperm duct/ vas deferens
5. Seminal vesicle
6. Prostate gland
7. Cowper’s gland
8. Urethra
9. Penis
10. Erectile tissue

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Function of different structures of male reproductive system

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Female reproductive system
1. Ovary
2. Oviduct/fallopian tube
3. Uterus/womb
4. Endometrium/ lining of uterus/uterine lining
5. Cervix/neck of uterus
6. vagina

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Function of different structures of female reproductive system

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Differences between sperm and ovum/egg cell
In terms of Sperm Ovum
Size Smaller (about 0.06 mm) Larger (about 0.1 mm)
Number Millions are released in one Normally only one egg is
ejaculate released during ovulation
Mobility/motility/movement Able to move on its own with Non-motile
the help of its tail/flagellum
Cytoplasm Very little A lot
Sex chromosome present Either X or Y Always contains X
chromosome

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Menstrual cycle

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Steps of menstrual cycle

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Hormones involved in menstrual cycle
Gland Hormone Some function of the hormone

1. Stimulates sperm production in male.

Follicle stimulating
2. Stimulates egg development in female.
hormone (FSH)
3. Stimulates oestrogen secretion in female.
Pituitary gland
1. Stimulates testosterone production in male.
Luteinising hormone
2. Stimulates ovulation (egg release) in female.
(LH)
3. Causes the formation of corpus luteum.

Controls the development of secondary sexual

Testis Testosterone
characteristics in male.

1. Controls the development of secondary sexual

characteristics in female.

2. Repairs lining of uterus.

Oestrogen
3. Slows down the production of FSH.

4. Stimulates the secretion of LH by pituitary

gland.

1. Completes the development of the uterine lining

[maintain the lining of uterus/endometrium (richly

Ovaries
supplied

with blood vessels) for implantation of embryo]

2. Inhibits/ prevents the release of FSH and LH by

Progesterone
pituitary gland.

3. Prevent egg development.

4. Prevent ovulation.

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Functions of placenta
1. Carries digested food from mother’s blood to foetal blood (glucose, amino acids, fatty
acids, glycerol etc.)
2. Carries oxygen from mother’s blood to foetal blood.
3. Releases hormone, progesterone which maintain the thickening of endometrium during
pregnancy.
4. Carries wastes (carbon dioxide, urea etc.) away from foetal blood to mother’s blood.
Adaptation of placenta to carry out its function
1. The wall (epithelial layer) of placenta is very thin, one cell thick which allows easy/faster
diffusion of substances.
2. It contains lots of villi in it which increases total surface area for diffusion of substances.
3. Each villus is richly supplied with blood vessels which maintains a concentration gradient
for diffusion of substances.

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Developing embryo in the uterus/ womb is called foetus. It is surrounded by a membrane called
amnion that contains a fluid called amniotic fluid.
Amniotic fluid has the following functions:
1. Prevents the foetus from physical damage (jolts and bumps).
2. It acts as shock absorber.
3. Lubricates the passage of vagina during birth.
4. It allows the foetus some restricted movement during pregnancy.
Umbilical cord: a membranous duct that connects the foetus with the placenta in a female. It is
consisted of umbilical arteries (two) and umbilical vein.
umbilical arteries: carry deoxygenated blood containing waste products (like urea, CO2) from
foetus to placenta.
umbilical vein: carry oxygenated blood containing nutrients from placenta to foetus.

Reason for testes outside the body in the scrotum in male

As sperm production is most efficient at a temperature of about 34 0C, just below the core body
temperature (370C).

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