Human Reproduction
Introduction:
● Body cells (somatic cells) of humans are diploid 2n (they have 2 sets of chromosomes).
● Mitosis allows for the growth and repairing of damage of tissue, these new cells are identical
to the original.
● Male and females during sexual reproduction produce gametes (egg + sperm) by meiosis
(reduction division)
● Meiosis ensures that gametes are haploid (only one set of chromosome)
● When 2 gametes fuse due to fertilisation, a diploid zygote is formed , then it divides by
mitosis to form a human.
Key Terminology:
Gamete ● An egg/sperm with ½ the no. of chromosomes
Gametogenesis ● Process where gametes are produced in the testes + ovaries
through meiosis
Oogenesis ● Process when sperm cells are made in the ovary through
meiosis
Spermatogenesis ● Process when sperm cells = made in ovary through meiosis
Germinal Epithelium ● Cuboidal epithelium found on the surface of testes + ovaries
which gives rise to cells which mature to form sperm cells +
egg cells
, The Male Reproductive System
● The male sex organ - a pair of testes in the scrotum
● Various ducts + tubules - seminiferous tubules, epididymis, vas deferens + urethra
● Accessory glands - prostate gland, Cowper’s gland + seminal vesicles
● The external genitalia - penis
Structure + Function of The Male Reproductive System:
Part Structure Function
Testes Oval shaped glands, suspended in Produce sperm cells + hormone
scrotum testosterone
Scrotum Skin sac that holds the testes Protects testes + holds the testes
‘outside’ the body, at 2٥C below body
temp
Epididymis Coiled tubule on outside of testes but Temporarily stores spermatids until
still in scrotum they mature into sperm cells
Vas deferens Muscular tube passing from Transports sperm from the epididymis
epididymis to the urethra to the urethra
Urethra Tube which runs through the penis Transports urine + sperm out body
Prostate gland Gland below bladder, where urethra Produces nutrient-rich fluid that
begins (the largest accessory gland) provides energy for the sperm cells
Cowper’s gland Small pair of glands attached to end Produces mucus that helps with the
of vas deferens movement of sperm cells
Seminal vesicles Medium sized pair of glands Produces alkaline fluid to neutralise
attached to end of the vas deferens vaginal acids which would kill sperm
The testes contain seminiferous tubules:
● Tubules = lined by germinal epithelial cells which produce sperm cells
Introduction:
● Body cells (somatic cells) of humans are diploid 2n (they have 2 sets of chromosomes).
● Mitosis allows for the growth and repairing of damage of tissue, these new cells are identical
to the original.
● Male and females during sexual reproduction produce gametes (egg + sperm) by meiosis
(reduction division)
● Meiosis ensures that gametes are haploid (only one set of chromosome)
● When 2 gametes fuse due to fertilisation, a diploid zygote is formed , then it divides by
mitosis to form a human.
Key Terminology:
Gamete ● An egg/sperm with ½ the no. of chromosomes
Gametogenesis ● Process where gametes are produced in the testes + ovaries
through meiosis
Oogenesis ● Process when sperm cells are made in the ovary through
meiosis
Spermatogenesis ● Process when sperm cells = made in ovary through meiosis
Germinal Epithelium ● Cuboidal epithelium found on the surface of testes + ovaries
which gives rise to cells which mature to form sperm cells +
egg cells
, The Male Reproductive System
● The male sex organ - a pair of testes in the scrotum
● Various ducts + tubules - seminiferous tubules, epididymis, vas deferens + urethra
● Accessory glands - prostate gland, Cowper’s gland + seminal vesicles
● The external genitalia - penis
Structure + Function of The Male Reproductive System:
Part Structure Function
Testes Oval shaped glands, suspended in Produce sperm cells + hormone
scrotum testosterone
Scrotum Skin sac that holds the testes Protects testes + holds the testes
‘outside’ the body, at 2٥C below body
temp
Epididymis Coiled tubule on outside of testes but Temporarily stores spermatids until
still in scrotum they mature into sperm cells
Vas deferens Muscular tube passing from Transports sperm from the epididymis
epididymis to the urethra to the urethra
Urethra Tube which runs through the penis Transports urine + sperm out body
Prostate gland Gland below bladder, where urethra Produces nutrient-rich fluid that
begins (the largest accessory gland) provides energy for the sperm cells
Cowper’s gland Small pair of glands attached to end Produces mucus that helps with the
of vas deferens movement of sperm cells
Seminal vesicles Medium sized pair of glands Produces alkaline fluid to neutralise
attached to end of the vas deferens vaginal acids which would kill sperm
The testes contain seminiferous tubules:
● Tubules = lined by germinal epithelial cells which produce sperm cells
