The Reproductive System Biology 122

Importance of Reproduction Survival of a species!

Did You Know? Female Oysters produce an est. 115 million eggs of which only each spawning Female frogs produce hundreds of thousands of eggs for fertilization Human females have 400 000 egg cells, of which only 400 mature throughout the reproductive years (12 to 50) Human males, beginning at approx age 13 up until their 80’s and 90’s can produce as many as one billion sex cells every day! Greatest number of offspring ever born to a woman was 57~Ouch!!

4 Functions of the Reproductive System: To produce egg and sperm cells To transport and sustain the egg and sperm cells To nurture the developing offspring To produce hormones

Organs of the Reproductive System: The primary reproductive organs, or gonads, consist of the ovaries and testes. These organs are responsible for producing the egg and sperm cells, (gametes), and for producing hormones. These hormones function in the maturation of the reproductive system, the development of sexual characteristics, and have important roles in regulating the normal physiology of the reproductive system.

Organs of the Reproductive System: All other organs, ducts, and glands in the reproductive system are considered secondary, or accessory, reproductive organs. These structures transport and sustain the gametes and nurture the developing offspring.

Similarities / Differences of Male & Female: Develop very similar structures of sex glands Two genital tubes Manufacture the hormones of the other sex. Hormones of one sex are often used to treat illness in the other sex. Both sexes have reproductive organs call GENITALS or GENITALIA, designed for the purpose of intercourse and conception. Only the female has organs for pregnancy and childbirth….although…. http://youtube.com/watch?v=6XyJlWQnMTU&feature=related

Male & Female Reproductive Systems: The male gonads (testes), produce male sex cells called SPERM. The female gonads (ovaries) produce the female sex cell called the EGG. The fusion of a male and a female sex cell, in a process called fertilization, produces a ZYGOTE. The zygote divides many times to form an embryo, which in turn continues to grow into a fetus.

The Male Reproductive System Internal & External

The Male Reproductive System

Internal Male Organs Sperm: the microscopic cells produced by the male’s testicles which can fertilize the female’s ovum. Prostate Gland: a man’s gland that helps make semen. Cowper’s Glands: behind the base of the penis which secretes fluid to make semen and neutralize acid during sexual excitement. Ejaculatory duct: a short straight tube that passes into the prostate gland and opens into the urethra.

Urethra: a tube that connects with the vas deferens to carry sperm cells out of the body. In males, both urine and sperm leave the body through the urethra Epididymis: coiled tube that stores sperm produced by the testes (one part attached to testes and other attaches to the vas deferens Vas Deferens (singular): extends up into the abdominal cavity, where it joins the urethra Seminal Vesicles: two pouch-like structures which serve to store mature sperm until ejaculated.

Seminal Fluid From the epididymis to the urethra, glands add secretions to the sperm cells. Seminal Fluid: Carries sperm Lubricates sperms passageway Chemical protection from the acidic environment of the female reproductive tract Contains fructose; (sperm’s energy source) Semen = Seminal Fluid + Sperm

Cross section of Penis

External Male Reproductive Testosterone: the male reproductive hormone made by the testicles which causes the changes of puberty. Penis: the organ of transfer of sperm to female. Scrotum: pouch-like sac holding both testicles in a separate compartment that hang underneath the penis; Temperature inside scrotum is 1.5 C lower than w/in the body cavity for sperm production Testicles – Testes Gland: two glands in the male, located in the scrotum, which produce male hormones (testosterone); produce the male gametes (sperm)

Swimming for Your Life – Haploid cells produced by meiosis (23 chromosomes) A sperm is a tiny package with a big responsibility – to fertilize the egg and create a human life. So that tiny package is loaded with “gear” for its important journey. A few facts: Daily sperm production by a healthy man: 10 million to 50 million Contents of average ejaculation: 50 million sperm; 25 million moving; 25 million deformed Maturation: 72 days Average swimming speed of a sperm: 8 inches per hour Survival time in a woman: 2 to 7 days

Other related concerns Circumcision: A process that surgically removes the flap of skin that covers the glans of the penis. Ejaculation: when semen carrying sperm spurts out of penis Semen: the thick, sticky fluid which contains sperm ejaculated by the male from the penis during orgasm (climax). Nocturnal Emissions: normal, involuntary ejaculation of semen and sperm while a male is asleep. Impotence: the failure to get or maintain an erection Vasectomy: surgical procedure for sterilization of the male.

Female Time Line: Ages 9-12 Secondary sex characteristics appear Ages 11-14 Menstrual cycle begins Late 20-30’s Peak sexual urges Ages 45-55 menopause (cycle stops, but sex urge continues) Male Time Line: Infancy Erections begin Ages 11-14 Secondary sex characteristics appear Ages 13-16 Sperm produced in adult amounts (puberty) Late teens Peak sexual urges for boys Throughout life If good health is present, there is the sex urge and ability to father children.

Female Reproductive Organs

Vulva: woman’s external genital area. Pudendum or Pubes: the area in the body where the sex organs are located. Mons Pubis: a mound of fatty tissue which covers the pubic bone. Labia Majora: (large lips) two folds of skin running from the mons pubis to below the vaginal opening Labia Minora: two smaller folds of tissue which lie just within the labia majora. Clitoris: a small, pea-shaped bump at the front of the labia that contains erectile tissue (counter part to male penis.) Urethra: below the clitoris, the opening to the bladder.

Internal Organs Hymen: a narrow fold of tissue encircling the entrance to the vagina. Vagina: passageway between the uterus and the outside of a woman’s body. Cervix: Opening from the uterus to the vagina. Uterus: place where the baby grows in a woman’s abdomen. Oviducts (Fallopian Tubes): two tubular structures leading from the ovaries to the uterus Ovaries: organs holding a woman’s eggs.

http://msnbcmedia. msn http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/Health/WomensHealth/zFlashAssets/menstrual_cycle_dw2%5B1%5D.swf

Other related concerns D&C: dilation and curettage, a common minor operation on women. Endometriosis: fragments of the endometrium in abnormal places Orgasm: characterized by the massive release of muscle tension which has built up during excitement. Dysmenorrhea: painful mentruation (primary or secondary) Hysterectomy: surgical removal of uterus.

Tubal Ligation: an operation for sterilization of women. http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2007/08/01/health/adam/17136Tuballigation.html PMS: premenstrual syndrome…2 weeks before your period…(collection of physical, psychological and emotional symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle. (80% of women have some symptoms) Menstrual Cycle: the process of passing the blood and tissue lining of the uterus from the body. Toxic Shock Syndrome: caused by bacteria (staphylococcus aureus) that live in the vagina, which then multiply and causes infection. Menopause: the remaining ova no longer ripen or develop.

Estrogen: the hormone responsible for secondary sex characteristics and for the sex drive in females. The “egg producing” hormone. Progesterone: builds up the lining of the uterus to prepare it for the fertilized ovum.; the “egg-setting” hormone. Ovulation: time when the egg is released from the ovary.

Fertilization (conception): a sperm entering an ovum. See Miracle of Life!!

The Visible Embryo http://www.glencoe.com/sec/science/cgi-bin/splitwindow.cgi?top=http://www.glencoe.com/sec/science/top2.html&link=http://www.visembryo.com/baby/index.html

Class Review: http://www.quia.com/quiz/887927.html?AP_rand=1728310696