DO NOW: LIST THE FIRST FIVE WORDS THAT COME TO MIND WHEN YOU THINK OF THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM. NO SLANG PLEASE!

The main functions of the female reproductive system are to produce eggs, which are the female sex cells, to receive sperm, and to provide an environment in which a fertilized egg can develop. Human Female Anatomy

Fallopian tube Ovary Uterus Cervix Vagina Rectum Urethra Fallopian tube Ovary Uterus Ligament Cervix Vagina Bladder Bone

Egg production takes place in the two ovaries. One ovary is located on each side of the lower part of the abdomen. The egg is also known as an ovum Human Female Anatomy

Fallopian tube Ovary Uterus Cervix Vagina Rectum Urethra Fallopian tube Ovary Uterus Ligament Cervix Vagina Bladder Bone

Contractions of the muscles in the wall of the fallopian tube work with beating cilia to move the egg through the tube. The human uterus is found between the bladder and the rectum and is the size and shape of an inverted pear. Human Female Anatomy

Fallopian tube Ovary Uterus Cervix Vagina Rectum Urethra Fallopian tube Ovary Uterus Ligament Cervix Vagina Bladder Bone

The uterine wall is composed of three layers: an outer layer of connective tissue; a thick, muscular middle layer; and a thin, inner lining called the endometrium (en doh MEE tree um). If fertilization occurs, the uterus is the site where the zygote implants itself. Human Female Anatomy

Fallopian tube Ovary Uterus Cervix Vagina Rectum Urethra Fallopian tube Ovary Uterus Ligament Cervix Vagina Bladder Bone

Puberty in Females Like males, puberty in females begins when the hypothalamus signals the pituitary to produce and release the hormones FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) and LH (Luteinizing Hormone. In females, FSH stimulates the development of follicles in the ovary. A follicle is a group of epithelial cells that surround a developing egg cell.

Egg released Follicle ruptures Egg Follicle Corpus luteum Ovary Vagina fallopian tube Uterus FSH also causes the release of the hormone estrogen from the ovary. Puberty in Females

Egg released Follicle ruptures Egg Follicle Corpus luteum Ovary Vagina fallopian tube Uterus Puberty in Females Estrogen is the steroid hormone responsible for the secondary sex character- istics of females.

Production of eggs Even before a female is born, her body begins to develop eggs. During this prenatal period, cells in her ovaries divide until the first stage of meiosis, prophase I, is reached. At this point, the cells go into a resting stage.

Production of eggs At birth, a female’s ovaries contain about two million of these potential eggs, which are called primary oocytes. At puberty, a female’s ovaries contain about 40,000 primary oocytes.

Sex Cell Production Egg Formation Sperm Formation Oogonium Zygote Second polar body (degenerates) Primary oocyte (2n) Secondary oocyte (n) Release into fallopian tube Sperm First polar body (degenerates) Spermatogonium Mature sperm cells Spermatids Secondary spermatocytes (n) Primary spermatocytes (2n) First meiotic division Second meiotic division Egg production Secondary oocyte formation OvulationSperm production

How eggs are released About once a month, beginning at puberty, the process of meiosis starts up again in several of the prophase I cells. Each cell completes meiosis I and begins meiosis II. During meiosis II, one of the egg cells ruptures from the ovary and passes into the fallopian tube.

Egg released Follicle ruptures Egg Follicle Corpus luteum Ovary Vagina fallopian tube Uterus The process of the egg rupturing through the ovary wall and moving into the fallopian tube is called ovulation. How eggs are released

Egg released Follicle ruptures Egg Follicle Corpus luteum Ovary Vagina fallopian tube Uterus How eggs are released A total of about 400 eggs are ovulated during the reproductive life of a female. Fertilization, if it takes place, usually occurs in the fallopian tube.

BASIC ANATOMY.

MAP QUEST (p. 10 in packet) HELP! One of the ovum wasn’t paying attention during the female-egg direction lesson ( were you? ). She can’t remember how to get from the ovary to where she’s supposed to go. Write out a set of MAPQUEST directions for her so she knows where to go! Your directions must have at least 5 steps and include all the major parts of the female reproductive system. Good luck. The fate of this ignorant egg is in your hands!!