KS3 Human Reproduction Knowledge Organiser

Key Words Male Reproductive System Female Reproductive System

A specific feature that allows a specialised cell sperm duct gland oviduct (fallopian tube) uterus (womb)
adaptation
to carry out a particular function.

Determined by the reproductive organs a

urethra penis
biological sex person has, the sex chromosomes in their body
and the hormone levels they produce.
utherus lining
conception The process of becoming pregnant. testis scrotum ovary
(endometrium)

egg cell The female sex cell, produced by the ovaries.

Part Function cervix vagina
An unborn or unhatched offspring in the early
Allows urine and semen to pass out of the male’s
embryo stages of development. In humans, this is up to penis
body. Part Function
the end of the eighth week after conception.
Produces sperm cells and releases the male sex vagina A muscular tube that leads from the cervix to the outside of the body.
testis
The sex typically given to an individual who hormone testosterone. A ring of muscle at the lower end of the uterus. This keeps the baby in
female produces egg cells, has XX chromosomes cervix
A tube that carries urine and semen. It has a ring place during pregnancy.
(biological sex) and produces higher levels of the hormone urethra
oestrogen. of muscle to keep these fluids separate. Contains hundreds of undeveloped egg cells. Every month, an egg cell
ovary
scrotum A bag of skin that contains the testes. matures and is released.
A chemical that is produced naturally within the
uterus Where the baby develops during pregnancy.
hormone body and released into the bloodstream to send Produces fluids that mix with sperm cells to make
gland
messages to other parts of the body. semen. oviduct Carries egg cells from the ovaries to the uterus.

Carries sperm cells from the testes to the uterus A blood-rich layer of tissue in which an embryo implants. This tissue is lost
The sex typically given to an individual who sperm duct
urethra. lining each month during menstruation.
male produces sperm cells, has XY chromosomes
(biological sex) and produces higher levels of the hormone
testosterone. Puberty Puberty Changes in Males Puberty Changes in Females

The main female reproductive hormone, Puberty is a period of time in a person’s life when
oestrogen produced by the ovaries. It is involved in they become sexually mature. Puberty causes
thickening the uterus lining. physical and emotional changes that affect males voice
facial hair grows
and females differently. These changes happen deepens breasts
The period of time when a person becomes because of hormones. develop
puberty sexually mature. It causes physical changes that
Changes that affect both males and females:
affect males and females differently.
• growth of pubic hair shoulders increased hips widen
broaden muscle growth
sperm cell The male sex cell, produced by the testes. • growth of underarm hair
• growth spurts menstrual
The main male reproductive hormone produced
testosterone • acne or occasional pimples cycle starts
by the testes. It stimulates sperm production. testes and testes start to vaginal
• body odour becomes stronger penis get produce sperm discharge is
vulva The external female genitals. • mood changes bigger cells produced

• sexual thoughts and feelings

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 KS3 Human Reproduction Knowledge Organiser
Key Words Sperm Cell Adaptations The Menstrual Cycle Development of a Baby

The menstrual cycle is a process that occurs in the The average length of gestation in humans is 40 weeks.
ejaculation The release of semen from the penis. The head is covered The midpiece
female reproductive system. The average length of the
with an acrosome, contains many Week Description
fertilisation The fusion of male and female gametes. menstrual cycle is 28 days.
which releases enzymes mitochondria to
The embryo is about 6mm long. The heart
An unborn offspring after the embryo to digest the egg cell release energy Day Description
4–6 and other organs start to form, and the heart
foetus stage of development. In humans this is membrane. for movement.
The uterus lining breaks down and begins to beat.
from the eighth week after conception.
1–5 passes out of the vagina. This is known as
Arms begin to grow and toes and eyelids begin
gamete A sex cell. menstruation or ‘having a period’. 8–9
to form. The embryo is now called a foetus.
The time between conception and birth, The uterus lining starts to build up again.
5 – 14 The foetus is now fully formed and all the organs,
gestation during which the baby is developing in the An egg cell starts to mature in the ovary.
12 muscles and bones are in place. It is now around
uterus. An egg cell is released from the ovary. This 60mm long and starts to move around.
The nucleus contains 14
The sperm is called ovulation.
The attachment of the embryo to the lining genetic information The foetus is around 250mm long. It has begun
implantation cell has a tail
of the uterus at the start of pregnancy. from the father. The The uterus lining remains thick. During this to kick and can hear sounds outside the uterus.
(flagellum) to 14 – 28 20 – 24
sperm cell carries half time, the egg may be fertilised by a sperm cell. It swallows amniotic fluid and produces urine.
The monthly cycle of changes in the allow it to move
menstrual the genetic information If the egg cell is not fertilised by a sperm Fingerprints have now formed.
ovaries and the lining of the uterus to towards the egg
cycle that will be received by 28 cell, the uterus lining begins to break down The baby has hair and can open its eyes. There
prepare for fertilisation. cell to fertilise it.
the offspring. again and the cycle repeats. 28 is a high chance that the baby would survive if
The process of releasing blood and tissue it was born now.
menstruation from the lining of the uterus as part of the
Egg Cell Adaptations Human Reproduction The baby is fully developed and ready to be
menstrual cycle. Also known as a period.
37 – 40 born. It is now around 520mm long. It rotates
The death of a foetus before 24 weeks of The cell membrane The cytoplasm 1 2 so its head is pointing downwards.
miscarriage
pregnancy. changes after contains nutrients
offspring The children or young of an organism.
fertilisation so no to support the Effect of Maternal Lifestyle
more sperm cells developing embryo
The release of a mature egg cell from an can enter the egg. after fertilisation. Oxygen and nutrients, such as glucose, can pass from the
ovulation
ovary. mother’s blood into the blood of the foetus across the
An organ that develops in the uterus During sexual intercourse, Sperm cells travel through placenta. The placenta is attached to the foetus by the
during pregnancy. It is responsible for semen containing sperm the female reproductive umbilical cord.
placenta transferring oxygen and glucose from the cells is ejaculated from system to meet an egg Other substances, such as alcohol, can pass across the
mother to the developing foetus, as well as the penis into the vagina. cell in the oviduct. placenta during pregnancy. Some substances may increase
removing waste products. the risk of developmental problems in a baby.
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The mixture of sperm cells and fluid Smoking cigarettes during pregnancy can increase the risk
semen
released during ejaculation in males. of miscarriage, stillbirth or sudden infant death syndrome
(SIDS). Babies born to mothers who smoke are more likely to
sexual Sexual contact involving penetration, e.g.
be born prematurely and/or have a low birthweight. A lack
intercourse the insertion of the penis into the vagina.
The nucleus contains The large size of the of oxygen passing from the mother to the baby may lead to
The birth of a baby that has died in the genetic information egg cell increases One sperm cell penetrates The resultant zygote problems with brain development.
stillbirth
uterus after 24 weeks of pregnancy. from the mother. The the chance of it the egg cell membrane. divides several times Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can increase the
egg cell carries half the being fertilised and The nucleus of the sperm to form a ball of cells chance of miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth or low
umbilical The cord which connects the placenta to
genetic information allows more space cell fuses with the nucleus called an embryo, which birthweight. If a mother drinks heavily during pregnancy,
cord the foetus.
that will be received by for nutrients to be of the egg cell. This is implants in the uterus it may lead to foetal alcohol syndrome, which can result in
zygote A fertilised egg cell. the offspring. stored. called fertilisation. lining. learning difficulties and behavioural problems.

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