Male
Fertilization The joining of a sperm and an egg.
Zygote A zygote is a fertilized egg
Testosterone Produced in the testes A hormone that controls the development of physical characteristics in mature men including: Facial hair Deepening of the voice Broadening of the shoulders Ability to produce sperm
Sperm Male sex cell. Did you know? About 175,000 sperm cells weigh as much as a single ovum. It would take 500 sperm lined up head to tail to equal an inch. Sperm swim at a rate of 1 – 4mm per minute
Testes The oval- shaped testes are the organs of the male reproductive system in which sperm are produced. Cowper’s Glands
Scrotum An external patch of skin that holds the testes. Keeps the testes 2º - 3º below 37ºC, which is the usual body temperature.
Urethra The tube in the penis through which the semen and urine travel out of the body.
Semen A mixture of sperm from the testes and other fluids that are produced in nearby glands. There are 5 – 10 million sperm cells per drop of semen. Provides an environment for the sperm to swim and nutrients that the sperm use for energy.
Penis Semen leaves the body through an organ called the penis. The tube in the penis is called the urethra. Urine also passes through the urethra. Muscles near the bladder prevent the mixing of urine and semen and do not let them pass through the urethra at the same time.
Path of the Sperm Epididymis – large coiled tube on the outer surface of each testicle that stores sperm cells Vas deferens – tube that carries sperm from testes Seminal vesicles – adds a sugary fluid to semen to provide nourishment to the sperm.
Path of Sperm cont. Prostate gland – Adds a chemical fluid to semen; also common site of cancer in men Cowper’s gland – Two small glands located near the bladder that adds a fluid to semen.
Path of Sperm cont. Erection – When blood flows into the soft tissues of the penis causing it to become firm and larger. Ejaculation – when semen leaves the penis Nocturnal emissions – an uncontrolled ejaculation during sleep