Sexual Reproduction in Human

You have studied the structural details of the male and female reproductive system
in 9th standard. In human beings the male and female reproductive organs differ
anatomically and physiologically. New individuals develop by the fusion of
gametes. Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of two haploid gametes (male
and the female gametes) to form a diploid individual (zygote).

· Organs of the reproductive system are divided into primary and secondary
(accessory) sex organs. Primary reproductive organs include the gonads (Testes in
male and Ovaries in female).

· Accessory sex organs

Male: Vas deferens, epididymis, seminal vesicle, prostate gland and penis.

Female: Fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix and vagina.

The secondary (accessory) sex organs include those structures which are involved
in the

· Process of ovulation

· Fusion of the male and female gametes (fertilization)

· Division of the fertilized egg upto the formation of embryo

· Pregnancy

· Development of foetus

· Child birth.

Now let’s see the cells of the primary reproductive organs in human male and
female and their role in reproduction.

1. Male Reproductive Organ - Structure of Testes

Testes are the reproductive glands of the male that are oval shaped organs which
lie outside the abdominal cavity of a man in a sac like structure called scrotum.
Now we shall study the various cells which are present in the testes.
Each testes is covered with a layer of fibrous tissue called tunica albuginea. Many
septa from this layer divide the testes into pyramidal lobules, in which lie
seminiferous tubules, cells of Sertoli, and the Leydig cells (interstitial cells).

The process of spermatogenesis takes place in the seminiferous tubules.

The Sertoli cells are the supporting cells and provide nutrients to the developing
sperms. The Leydig cells are polyhedral in shape and lie between the seminiferous
tubules and secrete testosterone. It initiates the process of spermatogenesis.

2. Female Reproductive Organ - Structure of Ovary

The ovaries are located on either side of the lower abdomen composed of two
almond shaped bodies, each lying near the lateral end of fallopian tube. Each ovary
is a compact structure consisting of an outer cortex and an inner medulla. The
cortex is composed of a network of connective tissue called as stroma and is lined
by the germinal epithelium. The epithelial cells called the granulosa
cells surround each ovum in the ovary together forming the primary follicle. As the
egg grows larger, the follicle also enlarges and gets filled with the fluid and is
called the Graafian follicle.
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Gametogenesis
The formation of the sperm in male and the ovum in female is
called gametogenesis. It involves spermatogenesis (formation of spermatozoa)
and oogenesis (the formation of ova). Gametes with haploid cells are produced
through gametogenesis.

1. Structure of Human Sperm

The spermatozoan consists of head, a middle piece and tail. The sperm head is
elongated and formed by the condensation of nucleus. The anterior portion has a
cap like structure called acrosome.
It contains hyaluronidase an enzyme that helps the sperm to enter the ovum
during fertilization. A short neck connects the head and middle piece which
comprises the [Link] middle piece contains the mitochondria which
provides energy for the movement of tail. It brings about sperm motility which is
essential for fertilization.

2. Structure of Ovum
The mature ovum or egg is spherical in [Link] ovum is almost free of yolk. It
contains abundant cytoplasm and the nucleus. The ovum is surrounded by three
membranes. The plasma membrane is surrounded by inner thin zona
pellucida and an outer thick corona radiata. The corona radiata is formed
of follicle cells. The membrane forming the surface layer of the ovum is
called vitelline membrane. The fluid-filled space between zona pellucida and the
surface of the egg is called perivitelline space.

Puberty
The reproductive system in both males and females becomes functional and an
increase in sex hormone production resulting in puberty. This phenomenon tends
to start earlier in females than in males. Generally boys attain puberty between
the age of 13 to 14 years, while girls reach puberty between 11 to 13 years. In
male, the onset of puberty is triggered by the secretion of the hormone
testosterone in the testes, in female the secretion of estrogens and progesterone
from the ovary. The secretion of both male and female hormones are under the
control of the pituitary gonadotropins luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle
stimulating hormone (FSH).
Menstrual Cycle-Process of Ovulation
The cyclic events that take place in a rhythmic fashion during the reproductive period of a woman’s
life is called menstrual cycle.

Menstrual Cycle-Process of Ovulation

The cyclic events that take place in a rhythmic fashion during the reproductive
period of a woman’s life is called menstrual cycle. In human females the
menstrual cycle starts at the age of 11- 13 years which marks the onset of puberty
and is called menarche , and ceases around 48-50 years of age and this stage is
termed menopause. The reproductive period is marked by characteristic events
repeated almost every month in physiologically normal women (28 days with
minor variation) in the form of a menstrual flow. The menstrual cycle consists of 4
phases

1. Menstrual or Destructive Phase

2. Follicular or Proliferative Phase

3. Ovulatory Phase
4. Luteal or Secretory Phase

These phases show simultaneous synchrony of events in both ovary and uterus.
Changes in the ovary and the uterus are induced by the pituitary hormones (LH
and FSH) and ovarian hormones (estrogen and progesterone).
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Fertilization to Foetal Development

Fertilization
Fertilization in human is internal and occurs in the oviduct of the female genital
tract. It takes place usually in the ampulla of the fallopian tube. An oocyte is alive
for about 24 hours after it is released from the follicle. Fertilisation must take
place within 24 hours. The sperm enters into the ovum and fuses with it, resulting
in the formation of a ‘zygote’. This process is called fertilization. The zygote is
a fertilized ovum.

Cleavage and Formation of Blastula

The first cleavage takes place about 30 hours after fertilization. Cleavage is a
series of rapid mitotic divisions of the zygote to form many celled blastula
(Blastocyst) which comprises an outer layer of smaller cells and inner mass of
larger cells.

Implantation
The blastocyst (fertilized egg) reaches the uterus and gets implanted in the
uterus. The process of attachment of the blastocyst to the uterine wall
(endometrium ) is called implantation. The fertilized egg becomes implanted in
about 6 to 7 days after fertilization.

Gastrulation
The transformation of blastula into gastrula and the formation of primary germ
layers (ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm) by rearrangement of the cells is
called gastrulation. This takes place after the process of implantation.
Organogenesis
The establishment of the germ layers namely ectoderm, mesoderm and
endoderm initiates the final phase of embryonic development. During
organogenesis the various organs of the foetus are established from the different
germ layers attaining a functional state.

Formation of Placenta
The placenta is a disc shaped structure attached to the uterine wall and is a
temporary association between the developing embryo and maternal tissues. It
allows the exchange of food materials, diffusion of oxygen, excretion of
nitrogenous wastes and elimination of carbon dioxide. A cord containing blood
vessels that connects the placenta with the foetus is called the umbilical cord.

Pregnancy (Gestation)
It is the time period during which the embryo attains its development in the
uterus. Normally gestation period of human last for about 280 days. During
pregnancy the uterus expands upto 500 times of its normal size.

Parturition (Child Birth)

Parturition is the expulsion of young one from the mother’s uterus at the end of
gestation. Oxytocin from the posterior pituitary stimulates the uterine
contractions and provides force to expel the baby from the uterus, causing birth.

Lactation
The process of milk production after child birth from mammary glands of the
mother is called lactation. The first fluid which is released from the mammary
gland after child birth is called as colostrum. Milk production from alveoli of
mammary glands is stimulated by prolactin secreted from the anterior pituitary.

The ejection of milk is stimulated by posterior pituitary hormone oxytocin.

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7. What is true of gametes?

a) They are diploid

b) They give rise to gonads

c) They produce hormones

d) They are formed from gonads

8. A single highly coiled tube where sperms are stored, get concentrated and
mature is known as

a) Epididymis

b) Vasa efferentia

c) Vas deferens

d) Seminiferous tubules

9. The large elongated cells that provide nutrition to developing sperms are

a) Primary germ cells

b) Sertoli cells

c) Leydig cells

d) Spermatogonia

10. Estrogen is secreted by

Anterior pituitary

b) Primary follicle
c) Graffian follicle

d) Corpus luteum

11. Which one of the following is an IUCD?

a) Copper – T

b) Oral pills

c) Diaphragm

d) Tubectomy

II. Fill in the blanks

1. The embryo sac in a typical dicot at the time of fertilization is 7 celled.

2. After fertilization the ovary develops into fruit .

3. Planaria reproduces asexually by Regeneration .

4. Fertilization is Internal in humans

5. The implantation of the embryo occurs at about 7th day of fertilization

6. Colostrum is the first secretion from the mammary gland after child birth

7. Prolactin is a hormone produced by pituitary gland .

III (a) Match the following

Answer:

Column 1 : Column 2

Fission : Amoeba
Budding : Yeast

Fragmentation : Spirogyra

(b) Match the following terms with their respective

meanings
a) Parturition - 1) Duration between pregnancy and birth

b) Gestation - 2) Attachment of zygote to endometrium

c) Ovulation - 3) Delivery of baby from uterus

d) Implantation - 4) Release of egg from Graafian follicle

Answer: a - 3, b - 1, c - 4, d - 2

a) Parturition - Delivery of baby from uterus

b) Gestation - Duration between pregnancy and birth

c) Ovulation - Release of egg from Graafian follicle

d) Implantation - Attachment of zygote to endometrium

IV. State whether the following statements are True or
False. Correct the false statement

1. Stalk of the ovule is called pedicle. - False

Stalk of the ovule is called funicle.

2. Seeds are the product of asexual reproduction. - False

Seeds are the product of sexual reproduction.

3. Yeast reproduces asexually by means of multiple fission. - False

Yeast reproduces asexually by budding.

4. The part of the pistil which serves as a receptive structure for the pollen is
called as style. - False

The part of the pistil which serves as a receptive structure for the pollen is called stigma.

5. Insect pollinated flowers are characterized by dry and smooth pollen. - False

Wind pollinated flowers are characterized by dry and smooth pollens, (or)

Insect pollinated flowers are characterized by large and spiny pollens.

6. Sex organs produce gametes which are diploid. - False

Sex organs produce gametes which are haploid,

7. LH is secreted by the posterior pituitary.

8. Menstrual cycle ceases during pregnancy. - True

9. Surgical methods of contraception prevent gamete formation. - False

Surgical methods of contraception prevent fertilization.

10. The increased level of estrogen and progesterone is responsible for
menstruation. - False

The decrease in level of estrogen and progesterone is responsible for menstruation.