MALE REPRODUCTION ORGAN: PENIS
Prostate gland
Seminal vesicle Sperm duct
Penis
Cowper’s gland Urethra
Epididymis
Scrotum
Testes
Seminal vesicle
- Secretes a nutrient-rich fluid that provides energy for the sperm cells
Cowper’s gland
- Produces mucus that helps with the movement of sperm
Scrotum
- Protects the testes
- To keep the testes at a temperature that is lower than body temperature/optimum
temperature for sperm production which is necessary to produce healthy sperm
Testes
- Produces sperm by the process of spermatogenesis and testosterone (male
hormone)
Prostate gland
- Produces an alkaline fluid that neutralizes the acid vaginal fluid
Sperm duct
- Transports sperm from the epididymis to the urethra
- When cut = vasectomy
No sperm in the semen
Urethra
- Transports semen and urine out of the body Penis
Epididymis - Copulation
- Sperm cells mature here - Deposits semen in the vagina
- Sperm cells are stored here temporarily
What are the consequences for reproduction if the testes are found inside the body?
- Body temperature of 37 degrees Celsius is too high for optimal sperm production
- High temperature will lead to the formation of abnormal sperms
- Reducing the chance of reproduction
STRUCTURE OF THE SPERM CELL
NB Examiner might give a scenario
- Eg) man wearing tight underwear/pants
- Man is sitting on a couch for a long-time watching TV
(In both scenarios, the testes are pulled against the body increasing the temperature )
, STRUCTURE OF THE SPERM CELL (The male gamete)
Acrosome: Secretes enzymes to digest
wall of egg cell for fertilization
Nucleus: Contains 23 chromosomes
(meiosis)
Mitochondria: provide energy for swimming
Tail: used for swimming
THE PROCESS OF SPERMATOGENESIS
- Under the influence of testosterone
- Diploid cells in the germinal layer cells in the seminiferous tubules of the testes
undergo meiosis
- To form haploid sperm cells
FUNCTIONS OF TESTOSTERONE
- Development of primary sex organs (gonads)
- Development of male secondary sexual characteristics such as beard, pubic hair ,
deep voice and muscular body
- Stimulates the maturation of sperm cells
TESTES
- Consist of coiled tubules
seminiferous tubules of germinal epithelium
- Sertoli cells are rich in glycogen
nutrients for sperm
- Cells of Leydig
produce testosterone