Human
Reproduction
GCE Study Buddy
Biology
Sexual Reproduction in Human
testi ovar
s meiosis meiosisy
sperm fertilization eggs
s (ova)
zygot
e
embry
o
foetus
bab
Male Reproductive System
ureter
urinary bladder
seminal
vesicle
sperm duct
prostate
gland Cowper’s gland
urethra
penis
epididymis
testis
scrotum
Male Reproductive System
Male Reproductive System
seminal
vesicle
secrete prostate
seminal gland
fluid Cowper’s
gland
Testes
● For production of male gametes (sperms)
● For production of male sex hormones
Epididymis
● For temporarily storage of sperms
● During copulation, muscles of epididymis contract to
release sperms
epididymi
s
vas deferens
(sperm duct)
sperm
tubules
Functions of Seminal Fluid
● To provide a medium for the sperms to swim
● To activate and nourish the sperms
● To neutralize the acidity in female reproductive tract
● Sperms + seminal fluid = semen
Penis
● Erected during copulation for insertion into vagina
○ Dilation of arterioles causes the erectile tissue of penis
to become turgid
○ Muscles of epididymis contract
○ Semen is squeezed from the penis to the top of vagina
(ejaculation)
Male Gamete (Sperm)
vesicle contains enzymes involved in
penetration of ovum during fertilization
head
middle
Nucleus containing DNA
piece
tail brings mitochondria which release energy during
about respiration
movement
Female Reproductive System
oviduct
funnel of
oviduct
ovary
uterine
lining
uterus
muscular
wall
cervix
vagina
opening of
vagina
Female Reproductive System
Functions of Ovary
● For production of female gametes (ova/eggs)
● For production of female sex hormones
Ovulation
● The release of an ovum from an ovary
Oviduct
● Carries the ovum forward by
○ the beating action of the cilia on its inner
surface
○ the contraction of muscles of oviduct
● Place for fertilization (upper part)
Human Gametes
Sperm Ovum
Size much smaller much larger
(~0.05mm) (~0.1mm)
Shape tadpole-like (with
spherical
head & tail)
Position of
in the head toward center
nucleus
Movement strongly mobile by not able to move
its tail by itself
Menstrual Cycle
● Once in about 28 days
● The uterine lining becomes thickened 14 days after
menstruation to prepare for the fertilized ovum to implant in it
● Uterus :
○ thickening of lining --> menstruation (discharge of lining if no
fertilization)
● Ovary :
○ follicle --> mature follicle --> yellow body
Menstrual Cycle
● Day 1 - 5
○ Menstruation starts
○ Uterine lining decreases in thickness to a minimum
● Day 6 - 14
○ Lining becomes thicker with increased blood supply
○ Day 14 : ovulation
● Day 14 - 28
○ Lining remains thick to ready for implantation of fertilized
ovum
● Day 28
○ No implantation of fertilization ovum
○ Uterine lining breaks down; menstruation starts
Inside Ovary
● Follicle & Yellow body
○ secretes different types of sex hormones
● No fertilization occurs
○ yellow body disappears after few days
○ no sex hormones secretion
○ menstruation (discharge of uterine lining)
Cycle of Follicle Development
Transfer of semen
1. Sexual stimulation --> Dilation of arteriole in
erectile tissue of the penis --> Penis becomes
erect.
2. Penis is inserted into the vagina --> Movement
--> Muscles of epididymis contract --> Eject
semen --> Ejaculation
3. Sperms are transferred from a man into a
woman’s body. --> Copulation
Fertilization
oviduct
ovary
uterus
cervix
vagina
Fertilizatio
n
Female nucleus Clear membrane hardens; no
others sperms can enter.
One sperm penetrates the egg
membrane. Male nucleus fuses with the female
nucleus.
Events after Fertilization
● Sperms (from copulation) reach the
upper part of the oviduct
● Ovum is fertilized at the oviduct
● Fertilized ovum (zygote) is carried
to the uterus
● After reaching the uterus, the
embryo (developed zygote) fixed
firmly onto the thick uterine wall
○ Implantation
Implantation
fertilized egg 2-cell stage a ball of cells
cavity outer cell future
layer embryo
yolk sac
uterine lining uterine lining
inner cell
mass amnion
1st day 2nd day 3rd day 4th day
st
1 week 2nd week 3rd week
Development of Human
Foetus
uteru
foetuss
placent
umbilicala
cord amnio
n
amniotic
fluid
Functions of Uterus
● During embryo development
○ Protect the embryo
○ Provide a constant environment for the embryo to develop
○ Allow placenta to attach on
● During birth of baby
○ Push the baby (foetus) out by muscular contraction
Functions of Amniotic Fluid
● To keep the foetus moist to prevent dessication
● As a water cushion to
○ support the foetus
○ allow it to move freely
○ absorb shock during movement of mother
○ protect the foetus from mechanical injuries
● To reduce temperature fluctuation
● To lubricate the vagina during birth
The Placenta
oxygenated blood from
mother’s artery
deoxygenated blood to
mother’s vein
villus
umbilical vein
umbilical artery
Functions of the
Placenta
● As a place for exchange of materials between mother and
the foetus
● For secreting female sex hormones
● Umbilical cord
○ umbilical artery
■ deoxygenated blood
■ less nutrient than umbilical vein
■ more CO2 & waste than umbilical vein
Adaptations of the Placenta
● With villi
○ to increase surface area for diffusion of materials
● Maternal blood and foetal blood flows in opposite direction
○ to maintain diffusion gradient for the whole length
● Maternal blood capillaries and foetal blood capillaries are
separated by a thin membrane
○ to shorten the distance for diffusion of materials
● Maternal blood is separated from foetal blood by capillary
wall
○ to prevent high pressure of maternal blood to break the delicate
foetal blood vessels
○ to prevent harmful substances (eg. bacteria)
to enter the foetus
○ to prevent clotting of maternal and foetal blood if their blood groups
are incompatible
Birth Control
● Human population
increases
exponentially
○ leads to shortage of
resources
○ problem of pollution
becomes more serious
○ easily overcrowded
Contraception Methods
1. Natural (Rhythm) Method
○ Prevent copulation during 5 days before and after ovulation (fertile period)
2. Contraceptive pills
○ Contains female sex hormones which inhibit ovulation
○ Must be taken daily
○ May have side effects
3. Condom
○ Have male and female condom
○ As a barrier to prevent sperms from entering vagina
4. Diaphragm
○ Fitted over the cervix
○ To be used together with spermicides
Surgical Methods
Vasectomy Tubal ligation
Cutting and tying Cutting and tying
up of sperm ducts up of oviducts
Prevention of Implantation
Intra-uterine device (IUD)
- A form of coil / loop
- Insert it into the uterus
- Regular medical examination
--> Remain in place
- Irritation to the lining of the uterus