Reproduction

Reproduction Definition:

• The process in which organisms can reproduce individuals of the same species.
• Is the mechanism that produces new generation and maintains a species population.

(Two) Types of Reproduction:

• Sexual reproduction
o Two parents are needed.
o Male and female gametes are formed (gametogenesis)
o Fertilization takes place.
o Offspring is not identical to the parents.
o Some variations are produced.
o Variation is helpful to adapting in the environment.
• Asexual reproduction
o One parent is needed.
o Male and female gametes are not formed.
o Fertilization does not take place.
o Offspring are identical to the parents.
o No variations are produced.

Reproduction in humans

Male reproductive system:

It consists of:

• Pair of testes in a sac like structure called as scrotum.

• Male copulatory organ used to transfer the sperms in the female reproductive system.

The main function of the male reproductive tract includes:

• Sperm production.
• Secretion of testosterone.
• Spermatogenesis.
• Each testis consists of highly coiled tubules called seminiferous tubules.
• Epithelium of seminiferous tubules is called germinal epithelium.
• The cells of the germinal epithelium divide by mitosis to produce spermatogonia.
• Spermatogonia increases in size and differentiated into primary spermatocytes.
• Primary spermatocytes divide by meiosis to secondary spermatocytes or spermatids.
• Eventually the spermatids differentiate into the mature sperms.
• Fluid secreted by glands provides liquid medium which provides protection, and
nourishment to the sperms while they are in tubules.
• The sperms are then transferred to vas deferens.
• The germinal end of vas deferens is highly convoluted is called epididymis.
• The sperms are stored are stored in the epididymis.

Female reproductive system:

It consists of:

• Ovaries.
• Oviducts.
• Uterus.
• External genitalia.
• A pair of the ovaries lies within the body cavity of the females.

The process of the egg production(oogenesis):

• Germ cells in the ovary divide by mitosis to form the primary oocytes which are enclosed in
the group of the follicular cells.
• The primary oocytes divide by meiosis I to form haploid secondary oocyte and first polar
body meiosis.
• The secondary oocyte divides by meiosis II as far as metaphase but is not completed until
oocyte is fertilized.
• Immediately after fertilization the egg is converted into ova(egg).
• In huma only one egg is released from the ovary and the process is called ovulation.

Fertilization:

• Eggs are released into the oviduct during the ovulation.

• The sperms will travel and most active one will reach the egg first in the oviduct.
• Then the nuclei of the sperm and egg fuse with each other to form zygote which is called
fertilization.
• Oviduct is the site of fertilization.

Implantation:

1) After fertilization zygote is formed.

2) Zygote divides by mitosis to form embryo.
3) Embryo starts moving slowly towards the uterus.
4) When it reaches the uterus, it gets embedded into the endometrium (uterine wall).
5) This process is called implantation.

Development of the embryo into the fetus:

• After implantation the embryo starts growing.

• Placenta is developed between embryo and the uterine wall.
• The embryo develops into the fetus.
• When the development is complete, the contractions start in the uterine wall.
• Due to the contraction of the uterine wall the fetus is pushed out of the female body.
• This process is called birth.