Reproduction in Humans

PART ONE: UNTIL PAGE 11 (MENSTRUAL CYCLE)

Sexual Reproduction

- Definition: It is the fusion of the nuclei of gametes to form a zygote and produce genetically
dissimilar offspring

- Gametes: Haploid, produced by meiosis (4 dissimilar daughter cells)

- Zygote (+ normal body cells): Diploid, divide by mitosis (2 identical daughter cells)
-

Female Reproductive System

Ovary: Produces ova (eggs) and oestrogen + progesterone

Oviduct/Fallopian tube: A muscular tube leading from ovaries to uterus + site of fertilisation
Uterus/Womb: Site of metal development, has elastic + muscular walls, soft + smooth uterine
lining for implantation
Cervix: Enlarges to allow passage of foetus during birth
Vagina: Semen is deposited here

The Ovum
- Large nucleus: Haploid no. of chromosomes
- Plasma membrane surrounded by outer membrane (jelly layer)

THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE

Follicle Development

- Primary follicle: Contains 1 potential egg cell + layer of follicle cells

- Each month, 1 primary follicle may develop into the Graafian follicle (stimulates secretion of
oestrgen > growth and repair of uterine lining)

- Graafian follicle will rupture and release the ovum during ovulation
- The remaining graafian follicle becomes the corpus luteum (secretes progesterone + some
oestrogen)

- No fertilisation > Corpus luteum persists for a while, then degenerates

Stages of the Menstrual Cycle

MENSTRUAL PHASE FOLLICULAR PHASE

(DAY 1 - 5)
(DAY 6 - 13)

Uterine lining breaks

1 primary follicle will

down and flows out

through the vagina

develop into graafian

follicle
Graafian follicle
secretes oestrogen

Effect of oestrogen:

- Stimulate repair and

growth of uterine
lining > Becomes
thick and spongey
with blood vessels

OVULATION
(DAY 14)

Graafian follicle

ruptures and releases

the ovum
Corpus luteum formed
Coprpus luteum
secretes progesterone
and some oestrogen

LUTEAL PHASE
(DAY 15 - 28)
Effect of progesterone:

- Works together with

oestrogen to further
thicken, maintain and
supply uterine lining
with more blood
capillaries in
preparation for
implantation

FERTILE PERIOD: ??

No Fertilisation Occurs
1. Ovum breaks down
2. High conc. of progesterone inhibits LH production
3. LH production decreases > Corpus luteum breaks down > Progesterone secretion
decreases
4. Uterine lining not maintained > Breaks down (menstruation)

Questions:
1. With reference to graphs, describe how do changes in hormonal levels result in changes in the
uterine lining shown?

2. Describe how hormonal level and uterine lining change if egg was fertilised at ovulation.

Male Reproductive System

Functions
Testis(s)/Testes(pl): Produces sperms and testosterone
Scrotum: Lie outside of the main body cavity to lower the temperature: essential for sperm
development
Sperm duct (Vas deferens): Conducts sperm to the urethra
Urethra: A tube that transports urine and semen through penis out of body (at diff times)
Penis: An erectile organ that deposits sperms into vagina
Prostate gland: Secretes seminal fluid which contains nutrients and enzymes to nourish +
activate sperms

The Sperm
Head: Contains nucleus (haploid) + Acrosome contains enzymes
that break down ovum membrane to allow sperm to penetrate
during fertilisation
Midpiece: Contains numerous mitochondria to release energy for
the sperm to swim to the ovum
Flagellum: To propel the sperm forward