Summary Life Sciences: Human Reproduction

HUMAN REPRODUCTION
STRUCTURE OF MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM




- Sperm produced in testes = carried via vas deferens to penis
- Penis fills with blood = becomes hard + erect (erection) = essential to transfer semen
into female vagina
- During ejaculation sperm + secretions from seminal vesicles, Cowper Gland + prostate
gland form sticky fluid (semen)

STRUCTURE OF FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

, PUBERTY
- Period where body develops + becomes
sexually mature
- Males: ages 9-14
- Females: ages 8-13

Hormones that control puberty:
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH),
secreted by hypothalamus = stimulates
pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating
hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH)
into blood which carries hormones to
reproductive organs
- FSH and LH stimulate sex organs to
produce oestrogen (in ovaries) +
testosterone (in testes) which cause puberty
to start




Changes in body during puberty:
Boys Girls

- Pimples develop - Pimples develop
- Hair growth: face, armpits, pubic area - Hair growth: armpits, pubic area
- Body odour strengthens - Body odour strengthens
- Muscles develop - Breasts develop

- Penis + testes get larger + testes start producing - Ovaries start producing eggs + menstrual cycle
sperm starts = pregnancy may occur after sex
- Size of larynx increases = deeper voice - Hips widen




SPERMATOGENESIS *Gametogenesis: process where sex organs produce gametes
- Process where testes produce sperm