Study Guide (Sample)

The Human Reproductive System
Human reproduction is a process that involves sexual reproduction, where male and
female gametes (sex cells) fuse to form new life. Male gametes are called sperm,
while the female gamete is known as the ovum. The male and female reproductive
systems work in coordination to facilitate fertilization, allowing these gametes to
meet.
The Male Reproductive System
The main components of the male reproductive system include the penis, testes,
urethra, and sperm duct. These structures have distinct roles:
 Penis: The external organ responsible for the delivery of semen into the
vagina and for the passage of urine.
 Testes: Two organs housed in the scrotum, responsible for sperm production
and the secretion of testosterone. The testes are located outside the body to
maintain an optimal temperature for sperm production, approximately 2°C
below normal body temperature. In colder conditions, the scrotum contracts
to bring the testes closer to the body to regulate warmth.
 Epididymis: A coiled tube where sperm are stored after being produced in
the testes.
 Sperm Duct (Vas Deferens): A long, thin tube that transports sperm from
the testes to where they mix with fluids from the seminal vesicles and
prostate gland, forming semen.
 Seminal Vesicles and Prostate Gland: These glands produce fluids that
nourish the sperm and enable their mobility.
 Urethra: A tube that runs through the penis, carrying both urine and semen
out of the body.
The Sperm: The Male Gamete
Sperm, the male sex cell, is microscopic but plays a vital role in reproduction. When
magnified, a sperm resembles a tadpole, consisting of three parts: the head, middle
piece, and tail. The head contains the nucleus, which houses genetic information,
and is covered by a cap called the acrosome, which contains enzymes necessary for
penetrating the ovum during fertilization.
The Female Reproductive System

Unlike the male reproductive organs, the primary structures of the female
reproductive system are internal, located above the pelvic bones. These structures
include:
 Ovaries: Two glands on either side of the uterus that produce female
hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) and house all the eggs (ova) a
woman will ever have from birth. At puberty, one egg matures approximately
every 28 days.
 Oviduct (Fallopian Tube): A funnel-like tube, about 10 cm long, lined with
tiny hair-like structures called cilia. These help move the egg from the ovary
to the uterus. Fertilization typically occurs in the oviduct.
 Uterus (Womb): A muscular organ where a fertilized egg implants and
develops into a baby. If fertilization does not occur, the uterus sheds its lining,
which is expelled during menstruation.
 Cervix: The lower part of the uterus, it serves as the gateway to the vagina.
 Vagina: An elastic muscular canal that connects the uterus to the outside of
the body, the vagina receives the penis during intercourse and serves as the
birth canal.
The Ovum: The Female Gamete

The ovum is the largest cell in the human body, spherical in shape and about 1 mm
in diameter. It contains the genetic material passed from mother to offspring,
protected by a thin membrane and a jelly-like coat.
The Menstrual Cycle
The menstrual cycle typically lasts 28 days and prepares the female body for
potential pregnancy. It is regulated by four primary hormones:
 FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone): Produced by the pituitary gland, FSH
stimulates the maturation of an ovum in the ovary.
 Oestrogen: Released by the ovaries, it thickens the uterine lining and halts
FSH production to ensure only one egg matures.
 LH (Luteinizing Hormone): Triggered by the pituitary gland, LH causes the
release of the mature ovum from the ovary (ovulation).
 Progesterone: Secreted by the ovaries, this hormone maintains the soft
lining of the uterus. If pregnancy does not occur, progesterone levels drop,
leading to menstruation, the shedding of the uterine lining.
The menstrual cycle begins with menstruation, typically lasting around 5 days. After
the bleeding ceases, the ovary begins preparing another egg for the next cycle.

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The Human Reproductive System

The Female Reproductive System

The Ovum: The Female Gamete

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