Human Reproduction
Write the notes. Do not draw the diagram.
You must be able to label this diagram in the
exam
Male Reproductive System
Seminal vesicle
Bladder
Prostate gland Cowper's Gland
Vas deferens
Urethra
Epididymis
Testes
Penis
Male reproductive system - Functions
• Bladder – stores urine
• Foreskin – protects the penis
• Seminal Vesicle – secretes fluid that provides food for the sperm
• Prostate Gland – secretes fluid that aids in the motility of the sperm
• Cowpers Gland – secretes fluid that neutralizes the acidic urine and
lubricates the urethra
• Vas deferens – Also called the sperm duct, Transports sperm to the
urethra
• Epididymus – coiled tubules on top of the testes, sperm is stored
here, also the tubules where sperm matures
Male reproductive system - Functions
• Testes – production of sperm and secretes testosterone
• Scrotum – sac in which the testes are contained. The scrotum
maintains the correct temperature for the production of sperm. Ideal
temperature for sperm production is ± 3º lower than body temp.
• Urethra – common duct for urine and semen
Write the notes. Do not draw the diagram.
You must be able to label this diagram in the exam
Cross Section through the Testes
• Leydig cells – secrete testosterone
• Sertoli cells - helps in the process of spermatogenesis
Write the notes. Do not draw the diagram.
You must be able to label this diagram in the
exam
Cross section through Penis
• Veins supply blood to the
penis
• Spongy tissue fills with blood
causing the penis to become
erect
Write the notes. You must be able to do this flow
diagram in the exam
Pathway that sperm takes:
Testes →epididymis →vas deferens (sperm duct) → Prostate Gland,
Seminal Vesicle & Cowper’s Gland add their secretions →urethra →out
the body
Difference between Sperm and Semen
Sperm = reproductive cells only
Semen = Sperm cells + the secretions from the Prostate & Cowper’s
Glands and Seminal Vesicle
Write the notes. Draw the diagram.
You must be able to label this diagram in the exam
Diagram of a sperm cell
• Nucleus contains 23 chromosomes
• Mitochondria provide energy for
swimming
• Flagellum (tail) to propel sperm
forward
• Acrosome produces an enzyme that
dissolves the membrane of the egg
so that the sperm can penetrate and
fertilize the egg You must be able to draw and label this in the exam
Female reproductive system
Fallopian tube
Infundibulum
(Finger like projections) Endometrium (uterus lining)
Uterus
Ovary
Cervix Vagina
Female reproductive system – Functions
• Fallopian Tubes – where fertilization occurs
• Infundibulum – finger like projections that catch the egg when it is
released
• Ovary – produces oestroegen and progesterone and releases the eggs
• Vagina – where sperm is deposited
• Cervix – serves as the birth canal
• Uterus – houses the developing foetus
• Endometrium – lining if the uterus where the fertilized egg implants.
If egg is not fertilized then the lining is shed (menstruation)
Fertilization
• Takes place in the Fallopian Tube
• Sperm (n) and egg (n) fuse together to form a diploid zygote (2n)
Development of the Zygote
• Morula – ball of cells
• Blastocyst – implants into
the endometrium
• No mixing of foetal
and maternal blood
Amnion Membrane which surrounds It contains amniotic fluid
the developing embryo and
foetus.
Amniotic Fluid • Fluid that surrounds the • Cushions and protects foetus (acts as a
foetus. shock absorber) preventing injury
• Contains waste products • Protects against temperature changes
from foetus • Protects against dehydration
• Contains foetal cells
• Amniocentesis – process
which removes amniotic
fluid to test for genetic
abnormalities
Placenta Membrane that attaches the • Oxygen and dissolved food substances like
foetus to the mother by glucose, amino acids etc. pass through
projections called villi • Foetal waste ( urea and uric acid) pass to
mother for excretion
• Acts as a barrier /micro filter from certain
harmful organisms
• Maternal antibodies pass onto the foetus
via placenta
• Placenta secretes progesterone during
pregnancy to maintain the uterus lining
(progesterone prevents ovulation during
pregnancy )
Umbilical cord Has: Arteries carry waste – deoxygenated blood
• 2 arteries AND and wastes away
• 1 vein
Vein – carries oxygenated blood with
nutrients like glucose from mother
WORK OPPOSITELY
Hormone Causes uterus to contract
Oxytocin (birth process)
Hormone Causes mammary glands to
Prolactin secrete milk
Female contraception – Intra Uterine Device (IUD)
Female contraception
Vasectomy in Males
• Epididymis is cut
• Sperm cannot go into
the seminal fluid
• Male can still ejaculate
but the semen does not
contain sperm cells
