The

Reproductive

System

Function

To ensure survival of the species To produce egg and sperm cells To transport and sustain these cells To nurture the developing offspring To produce hormones

Other systems strive to maintain a state of homeostasis

Intro to Human Reproduction

Gametes – reproductive cells Males – sperm Females – egg or ovum

Gonads – reproductive organs that produce gamete and sex hormones

Males – testis (plural: testes) Females – ovary (plural: ovaries)

Intro to Human Reproduction

Puberty – the time during teenage years when males start to produce sperm and females start to release eggs.

Puberty occurs a couple of years earlier for females than males usually.

Menopause – the time when females stop releasing eggs. This usually occurs between 45 to 55 years of age.

Males do not undergo menopause and produce sperm all their lives following puberty.

Male – Path of the Sperm

Testes

Epididymis

Vas deferens

urethra

Male – Parts of the Reproductive System

Male

Testes

Produce sperm Sperm production begins at puberty

and continues throughout the life of a male

Produce testosterone Hair patterns and voice changes Development of the male accessory

organs (prostate, seminal vesicles) Stimulates the effect of protein

building in the body that is responsible for the greater muscle development and strength

Male Duct system

Epididymis

Sperm mature in epididymis

Vas deferens

Transports mature sperm to the urethra

Ejaculatory ducts

Empty into the urethra

Accessory organs

Seminal vesicles

holds the liquid that mixes with sperm to form semen. Semen contains fluid from the epididymis, seminal vesicle, prostate gland, and vas deferens.

Cowpar's Gland

Produces a sugary-rich fluid that provides energy to the sperm

Prostate Gland

The urethra runs through the center of the prostate, from the bladder to the penis,controlling urine flow out of the body. The prostate also secretes fluid that nourishes and protects sperm.

Male

Urethra

Tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside of the body

Also carries semen out of the body (prostate enlarges to block flow of urine)

Penis

The urethra is located in the penis Male reproductive unit

Female – Path of the EggOvary

Fallopian tube (oviduct)

Uterus (womb)

Cervix

Vagina

Female – Parts of the Reproductive System

Female Ovary

There are 2 ovaries

Produces eggs, femaile sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone) that regulate the menstrual ccle, pregnancy, and the secondary characteristics (breasts, enlarged hips)

At birth, females have all their eggs formed, but in an immature state

After puberty and before menopause, one egg is released about every 28 days from each ovary

Fallopian Tube

Connects between ovary and uterus, fertilization of egg by sperm takes place here

Uterus

Strong, muscular and elastic organ where a fetus develops

After an egg is released from the ovary, a blood-filled lining (endometrium) develops on the walls of the uterus in preparation for the nourishment of the fetus. If no fertilization occurs, then this lining passes out through the vagina over several days as “periods” or menstruation

Female Cervix

The opening between the uterus and the vagina

During pregnancy, a plug forms across the cervix separating the uterus from the outside to prevent infection of the fetus. This plug falls out, and the cervix dilates before the birth of a baby.

Vagina

An elastic muscular organ that expands during birth to allow for the passage of the baby.

A.K.A. Birth canal

Process of Fertilization23 Unpairedchromosomes

23 Unpairedchromosomes

46 chromosomesIn 23 pairs

Human egg cell from the mother

Human sperm cell from the father

Fertilized egg