How do organism reproduce
Que : Why the Amount of DNA Does Not Get Doubled During Sexual Reproduction?
Ans: The gametes are special type of cells called reproductive cells which contain only half
the amount of DNA (or half the number of chromosomes) as compared to the normal body
cells of an organism. So, when a male gamete combines with a female gamete during sexual
reproduction, then the new cell ‘zygote’ will have the normal amount of DNA (or normal
number of chromosomes in it). For example, the human sperm has 23 chromosomes and the
human egg (or ovum) has also 23 chromosomes. So, when a sperm and an egg fuse together
during fertilisation, then the zygote formed will have 23 + 23 = 46 chromosomes, which is
the normal number of chromosomes.
Que : How Sexual Reproduction in Animals Takes Place?
Ans : Sexual reproduction is the most common method of reproduction in animals (including
human beings). The sexual reproduction in animals takes place in the following steps :
1. The male parent produces male gametes (male sex cells) called sperms. The sperm is a
small cell with a long tail (flagellum) for movement.
2. The female parent produces female gametes (female sex cells) called ova (or eggs). The
ovum (or egg) is a much bigger cell than the sperm, having a lot of cytoplasm ,Fertilisation
of an ovum (or egg) by a sperm to form a zygote.
3. The sperm enters into the ovum (or egg) and fuses with it to form a new cell called
‘zygote’. This process is called fertilisation. So, the zygote is a fertilised ovum (or fertilised
egg).
4. The zygote then divides again and again to form a large number of cells (all of which
remain together). And ultimately zygote grows and develops to become a new baby.
From the above discussion we conclude that the whole process of sexual reproduction in
animals involves the formation of sperms and eggs; joining together of sperm and egg to
form a zygote; and then the growth and development of zygote to form a baby animal.
BY: LUCKY SAMADHIYA ‘SIR’ (CONTACT US BY GOOGLE) 1
Puberty : The age at which the sex hormones (or gametes) begin to be produced and the boy
and girl become sexually mature (able to reproduce) is called puberty. Puberty tends to start
earlier in females (girls) than in males (boys). Generally boys attain puberty at the age of 13
to 14 years while girls reach puberty at a comparatively lower age of 10 to 12 years.
The testes produce the male sex hormone called testosterone, and the ovaries produce two
female sex hormones, oestrogen and progesterone.
The various changes which occur in boys at puberty are : Hair grow under armpits and in
pubic regions (genital area) between the thighs. Hair also grow on other parts of the body
like chest and face (moustache, beard, etc.) The voice deepens (or cracks). Chest and
shoulders broaden.
THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
The human male reproductive system consists of the following organs : Testes, Scrotum,
Epididymis, Vas deferens (or Sperm duct), Seminal vesicles, Prostrate gland and Penis.
A man has two testes (singular of testes is testis). Testes are the primary reproductive organs
in man (or males). The function of testes is to make the male sex cells (or male gametes)
called sperms and also to make the male sex hormone called testosterone.
The sperms formed in testes come out and go into a coiled tube called epididymis. The
sperms get stored temporarily in epididymis. From epididymis, the sperms are carried by a
long tube called vas deferens (or sperm duct) which joins with another tube called urethra
coming from the bladder. Along the path of vas deferens, the glands called seminal vesicles
and prostrate gland add their secretions to sperms so that the sperms are now in a liquid. This
liquid plus the sperms it contains is called semen (which is a thick liquid). The secretions of
seminal vesicles and prostrate gland provide nutrition to the sperms and also make their
further transport easier. Urethra forms a common passage for sperms and urine. Urethra
carries the sperms to an organ called penis which opens outside the body. The penis passes
the sperms from the man’s body into vagina in the woman’s body during mating for the
purpose of reproduction.
BY: LUCKY SAMADHIYA ‘SIR’ (CONTACT US BY GOOGLE) 2
THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
The human female reproductive system consists of the following organs : Ovaries, Oviducts
(which are also called Fallopian tubes), Uterus, and Vagina.
A woman has two ovaries. Ovaries are the primary reproductive organs in a woman (or
female). The function of ovaries is to make mature female sex cells (or female gametes)
called ‘ova’ or ‘eggs’, and also to make the female sex hormones (called oestrogen and
progesterone).
The two oviducts connect to a bag like organ called uterus (or womb) at their other ends. The
growth and development of a fertilised ovum (or fertilised egg) into a baby takes place in the
uterus. The uterus is connected through a narrow opening called cervix to another tube called
vagina which opens to the outside of the body. Vagina receives the penis for putting sperms
into the woman’s body. Vagina is a tubular structure. Vagina is also called ‘birth canal’
because it is through this passage that the baby is born after the completion of development
inside the uterus of the mother.
Note : 1. The time period from the fertilisation up to the birth of the baby is called gestation.
The average gestation period in humans (or the average duration of human pregnancy) is
about nine months (or about 38 weeks).
2. The breakdown and removal of the inner, thick and soft lining of the uterus alongwith its
blood vessels in the form of vaginal bleeding is called menstrual flow or menstruation. In
human females (or girls), the ovaries start releasing ovum or egg (female gamete) once every
28 days from the age of puberty. That is, in girls ovulation starts when they attain puberty.
3. The first occurrence of menstruation (or periods) at puberty is called menarche. Menarche
is the beginning of the reproductive life of a girl (or woman). Menstruation stops
permanently when a woman reaches the age of about 45 to 50 years. The permanent
stoppage of menstruation (or periods) in a woman is called menopause. We can now say that
the reproductive life of a woman starts at menarche and ends at menopause.
BY: LUCKY SAMADHIYA ‘SIR’ (CONTACT US BY GOOGLE) 3
BIRTH CONTROL METHODS
The prevention of pregnancy in women (by preventing fertilisation) is called contraception.
And any device or chemical (drug) which prevents pregnancy in woman is called a
contraceptive. All the birth control methods can be broadly divided into three categories :
1. Barrier methods,
2. Chemical methods, and
3. Surgical methods.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)
The diseases which are spread by sexual contact with an infected person are called sexually
transmitted diseases (or STD). Thus, a healthy person can get STD by making sexual contact
with an infected person. Some of the common sexually transmitted diseases are :
(i) Gonorrhoea,
(ii) Syphilis, and
(iii) AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).
Gonorrhoea and syphilis are caused by bacteria. The bacteria which cause these diseases
spread through sexual contact with an infected person. The most common symptoms of
the these sexually transmitted diseases are burning sensation at urination, passing of
urethral discharge (containing pus) and sores in the genitals. Gonorrhoea and syphilis are
curable diseases.
AIDS disease is caused by a virus called HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). AIDS
damages the body’s immune system so that the body becomes weak and cannot protect
itself against infection. So, AIDS is a very dangerous disease which leads to death. No
definite cure has been found for the AIDS disease so far.
BY: LUCKY SAMADHIYA ‘SIR’ (CONTACT US BY GOOGLE) 4
