Additional Notes Handout 2

Male reproductive system
Diagrams of male reproductive system (side and front view)

The key male reproductive structures include the
Testes - two oval shaped male reproductive glands/structures that produce sperm (seminiferous
tubules) and the hormone testosterone. The sperm migrate from of the seminiferous tubules in
the testes to the epididymis. Located in the
Scrotum - a thin external sac of skin located behind the penis. It is divided into two
compartments; each compartment contains one of the two testes, the glands that produce sperm,
and one of the epididymides, where the sperm is stored.
Epididymis - The epididymis is a long, coiled tube that stores immature sperm and transports it
from the testes. It appears as a curved structure on the posterior (back) margin of each testis.
Vas deferens - The vas deferens also called ductus deferens carries sperm from the epididymis to
the ejaculatory duct
Ejaculatory duct - is formed by the union of the vas deferens with the duct of the seminal vesicle.
They pass through the prostate, and open into the urethra the main function of the ejaculatory
duct is to combine the sperm with seminal fluids and then transport them to the
prostate. Seminal vesicle - each of a pair of glands which open into the vas deferens near to its
junction with the urethra and secrete many of the components of semen.
Urethra - The urethra is the tube that allows urine to pass out of the body. In men, it's a long tube
that runs through the penis. It also carries semen in men.
Vas deferens - The vas deferens also called ductus deferens carries sperm from the epididymis to
the ejaculatory duct
Prostate gland - The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located between the bladder and the penis,
just in front of the rectum. The urethra runs through the center of the prostate, from the bladder
to the penis, letting urine flow out of the body. The prostate secretes fluid that nourishes and
protects sperm.
Penis - the organ of the male reproductive system through which semen passes out of the body
during sexual intercourse. consists largely of erectile tissue The penis is also an organ of
urination. Ensures spem deposited inside female
When ejaculation occurs, sperm is forcefully expelled and propelled foward via rhythmic muscle
movement from the epididymis into the ureter to the prostate behind the bladder. Here, the vas
deferens joins with the seminal vesicle to form the ejaculatory duct, which passes through the
prostate and empties into the urethra. It is then released into the vagina.
Female reproductive system
Diagrams of female reproductive system (side and front view)

Internal parts
Vagina - elastic, muscular tube connecting the cervix of the uterus to the vulva and exterior of the
body. Has the ability to expand, which is important in copulation and birth
Fallopian tube - two very fine tubes lined with ciliated epithelia, essential to the movement of
the egg through the tube into the uterus, leading from the ovaries. The uterine tube (fallopian
tube) carries an egg from the ovary to the uterus. ... A section of the fallopian tubes, called the
ampulla, is generally where an egg is fertilized by a man's sperm. Ovary - a female reproductive
organ in which ova or eggs are produced
Oviducts- extend from ovary to uterus, yet not connected/attached to ovary. Cilia and Fingerlike
projections called fimbrae extend from the lining of the oviduct, and functions to gently sweep
oocyte released from ovary into oviduct.
Uterus- thick walled muscular structure/organ with a narrow end (cervix)
Cerix - he narrow neck-like passage forming the lower end of the uterus.
External
Vulva consists of the mons pubis labia majora and minora and glans clitoris
Mons pubis- spans the area above the urethra and vaginal openings
Labia minora and minora- two folds of skin on either sis of the urethral and vaginal openings.
Protective function
Gland clitoris- organ with shaft of erectile tissue and glans (bulbous structure that is innervated)
at the tip. It is homologous to the penis
The hymen- thin membrane covering the vagina. It ca be ruptured by extreme/ vigorous physical
activity or sexual intercourse
Additional notes
Significance of Oogenesis:
(i) One oogonium produces one ovum and three polar bodies.
(ii) Polar bodies have small amount of cytoplasm. It helps to retain sufficient amount of
cytoplasm in the ovum which is essential for the development of early embryo. Formation of
polar bodies maintains half number of chromosomes in the ovum.
(iii) During meiosis first crossing over takes place which brings about variation.
(iv) Oogenesis occurs in various organisms. Therefore, it supports the evidence of basic
relationship of the organisms.
Structure of Ovum
The egg cell- structure
The ova are developed from the primitive germ cells which are imbedded in the substance of the
ovaries. Each primitive germ cell gives rise, by repeated divisions, to a number of smaller cells
termed ogonia, from which the ova or primary ocytes are developed.
Human ova are extremely minute, measuring about 0.2 mm. in diameter, and are enclosed within
the egg follicles of the ovaries; as a rule each follicle contains a single ovum, but sometimes two
or more are present. By the enlargement and subsequent rupture of a follicle at the surface of the
ovary, an ovum is liberated and conveyed by the uterine tube to the cavity of the uterus.
Ovum refers to secondary oocyte stage of oogenesis, where the second maturation division is yet
to occur. In this condition the matured ovum is released from ovary and enters into uterus in
mammals for fertilization. In mammals including man the ovum is discharged from the Graafian
follicle (ovulation) with one polar body.
Each ovum is a rounded and non-motile structure approx. (0.15 mm in man). In appearance and
structure the ovum differs little from an ordinary cell, but distinctive names have been applied to
its several parts
yolk or oplasm/ cytoplasm
The yolk comprises
(1) the cytoplasm of the ordinary animal cell frequently termed the formative yolk
(2) the nutritive yolk or deutoplasm, which consists of numerous rounded granules of fatty and
albuminoid substances imbedded in the cytoplasm. In the mammalian ovum the nutritive yolk is
extremely small in amount, and is of service in nourishing the embryo in the early stages of its
development only
Cortex - The peripheral layer of ooplasm and contains many microvilli and cortical granules.
Microvilli are tubular outrushing of plasmalemma functions to transport of substances into and
out of egg cytoplasm. The cortical granules though not present in mammalian eggs are
mucopolysaccharides covered over by Golgi membranes.
The nucleus or germinal vesicle
The germinal vesicle or nucleus is a large spherical body which at first occupies a nearly central
position, but becomes eccentric as the growth of the ovum proceeds. The nucleus is enclosed by
a delicate nuclear membrane, and contains in its interior a well-defined nucleolus or germinal
spot.
vitelline membrane thin , covers ovum
zona pellucida or zona striata another primary membrane covering ovum. It is a thick
membrane, which persists for some time after fertilization has occurred, and may serve for
protection during the earlier stages of segmentation. Between the two membranes is a narrow
space known as perivitelline space.
Corona radiata
Formed when several layer of epithelial cells from the follicle, adhere to the outer surface of
zona pellucida and are arranged radially, during discharge of ovum from the graafian follicle,
forming corona radiate. The cells are radially arranged around the zona, those of the innermost
layer being columnar in shape.

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Additional Notes Handout 2

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Male reproductive system

Diagrams of male reproductive system (side and front view)

Female reproductive system

Diagrams of female reproductive system (side and front view)

The egg cell- structure

yolk or oplasm/ cytoplasm

The yolk comprises

The nucleus or germinal vesicle

vitelline membrane thin , covers ovum

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