We need to first understand how human reproduction works!

Human Reproduction Humans reproduce sexually. Two Sex Cells: Sperm from the male. Ova (eggs) from the female. The two unite and form a fertilized egg! This then develops into a baby!

The Man’s Role! Produce the sperm he will then deliver to the women. Males begin producing sperm at puberty and continue throughout their lifetime. At first sperm is produced in small numbers. By adulthood, men produce millions of sperm each month!

Where is sperm produced? Sperm is produced in a man’s two testes or testicles. Next to each testis is a coiled tube called the epididymis. This is where sperm is stored. They also mature here. Attached to each epididymis are the vas deferens, which are long narrow tubes. Van deferens connect to the urethra.

The sperms travels continued. .. Urethra – transports urine and semen outside the body. Sperm + secretions from three sets of glands are added at the urethra. This is called semen.

The Women’s Role! Provide the egg! Carry and nourish a fertilized egg within her body until the baby is born. All women are born with a set number of immature eggs. Around 400, 000 No more eggs will be produced after birth!

The Egg… Eggs are stored in the ovaries. Usually only one egg is released from the ovaries each month. Starting at puberty and ending at menopause. Only 400 eggs are released during an average woman’s reproductive years.

The eggs journey… Eggs are released from the ovaries through a process called ovulation. Happens once a month. After leaving the ovaries, the egg passes through the fallopian tubes. One end of the fallopian tubes lies close to the ovaries, while the other end is attached to the uterus. Takes about 3-4 days to travel through the fallopian tube to the uterus.

The eggs journey continued… The egg is only fertile for about 1 day after ovulation. The sperm and egg must meet in the fallopian tube in order for fertilization to be achieved!

The sperms journey through the woman: Sperm must pass through vagina, and the uterus, then into the fallopian tube. Sperm can survive in a women’s body for as long as 3 days! So a women can become pregnant up to three days after she has had sex with her partner as long as she is ovulating.

The Uterus It’s major job is to hold and nourish a fertilized egg as it develops into a baby during pregnancy. The inner lining of the uterus is called the endometrium. Each month it thickens and develops a large network of tiny blood vessels. An unfertilized egg results in the shedding of the inner lining of the uterus.

Menstruation This is what it is called when a girl has her period. A bloody discharge leaves the body through the vagina.

Fertilization Happens! The sequence of events that takes place after an egg is fertilized: Within hours the newly fertilized egg begins to divide. By the time the fertilized egg travels from the fallopian tube into the uterus, it is a ball of many cells. The ball attaches itself to the endometruim of the uterus. This is called implantation.

Inside Pregnancy: Fertilization http://www.babycenter.com/2_inside- pregnancy-fertilization_10354435.bc

Exit Slip List all the steps involved in human reproduction