Summary Life Sciences (Biology) - Human Reproduction Notes

Biology
Human Reproduction Notes


Introduction:
- Reproduction can be ASEXUAL or SEXUAL.
1. Asexual = proceeding without the production of sex cells.
2. Sexual then proceeds with the production of specialized sex cells that fuse
to form a zygote.




- There are 12 main SUB-HEADINGS which we need to examine if we are going
to understand this topic.
= Sexual Development
= Gamete Production
= Intercourse
= Male and Female Anatomy
= Gamete Structure
= Coitus
= Pregnancy and Birth
= Hormones in Sexual Development and Pregnancy
= Menstruation
= Contraception
= Sexually Transmitted Diseases
= Applied Reproductive Health

,Sexual Development:
- Develop during a phase of life called puberty.
- Changes that are precipitated in this period of life are divided into primary and
secondary sexual differentiation.
1. PRIMARY SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT
= The activation of the ovaries in females and the full maturation of the
vagina.
= In males the testicles become active, begin producing sex hormones
and the first sperm.
= In both cases the process is under the control of the master hormones
GONADOTROPIN and SOMATOTROPIN.
= The former specifically develops the gonads and the latter is the master
growth hormone.
2. SECONDARY SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT
= Once the ovaries are mature, they begin to produce large quantities of
OESTROGEN and this matures the female into her final shape and
constitution, and it completes the women.
= In males is driven by the hormone TESTOSTERONE which is produced
by the testicles, these changes happen rapidly and complete the man.
- Females
= Lustrous hair
= Curvaceous shape (extra subcutaneous fat)
= Widening of the hips
= Development of breasts
= Voice breaks
= Body hair (mostly light and delicate, collected at the groin and armpit)
- Males
= Thick hair
= Angular shape and Wide shoulders, narrow hips
= Less subcutaneous fat
= Rapid and substantial increase in muscle mass
= Voice breaks significantly
= Body hair (mostly coarse, all over)
= Aggression and a Higher sex drive
- Symmetry is a fundamental principle in all this.

, Primary Secondary
Males Males
- Testes - Body hair
- Penis - Muscle mass increases
- Scrotum - Penis size increases
- Prostate - Voice breaks
- Urethra - Spermatogenesis
- Vas deferens - Pubic hair

Females Females
- Vagina - Breasts
- Ovaries - Pubic hair
- Uterus - Hips and body fat increases
- Cervix - Voice breaks
- Vulva (external) - Menstrual cycle
- Fallopian Tubes.