BIOLOGY 10
The Reproductive System
The reproductive system controls the keeping the temperature of the testes slightly
development of the structural and functional lower than the normal body temperature.
differences between males and females.
Testes
Functions of the Reproductive System
It is made up of coiled tubules in which the sperm
Production of gametes/sex cells are produced; produces the male sex hormone
Fertilization (testosterone) for the production of sperm.
Development and nourishment of a new
Epididymis
individual
Production of reproductive hormones A coiled J-shaped tube located on the back of the
testicles; stores the sperm for two to four days
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE MALE
after they have been produced.
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Vas deferens
The tube that receives sperm from the epididymis
of each testicle.
Seminal vesicle
Two small glands above the prostate gland that
produces liquids that will turn into semen (a
complex substance made up of water, plasma,
and mucus)
Prostate gland
It is located just below the bladder and in front of
the rectum. It produces fluid that makes up a part
Functions of the Male Reproductive System of semen.
Secretion of the male hormones ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE
Production of sperm cells FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Transfer of sperm cells
Parts of the Male Reproductive System
Penis
A soft, tubular organ that hangs in front of the
body. It is the male’s external organ that delivers
the sperm into the female’s reproductive organ.
It contains an erectile tissue that makes the penis
larger and softer due to the increase flow of
blood during ejaculation (refers to the release of
sperm cells and seminal plasma from the male
reproductive system)
Urethra
A tube that extends from the bladder to the
external opening at the end of the penis; carries
both urine and sperm. Functions of the Female Reproductive System
Scrotum Production of female sex cells
Production of female sex hormones
A pouch of skin that hangs behind the penis; Reception of sperm cells from the male
houses the testes and protects the sperm by
BIOLOGY 10
The Reproductive System
Nurturing the development and Hormones are chemical substances that act like
providing nourishment for the new messenger molecules in the body and secreted
individual by the endocrine glands directly into the blood.
These play a vital role in an individual’s growth
Parts of the Famale Reproductive System and development, metabolism, reproduction,
mood, and sexual function.
Vagina
Sex hormones are responsible for driving puberty
A muscular canal filled with nerves & mucus
or sexual development.
membrane. It connects the uterus to the cervix to
the outside of the body, allowing for Puberty is the term used to describe the
menstruation, intercourse, and child birth. developmental changes a child undergoes to
become sexually mature and physiologically
Vulva
ready for reproduction. It normally begins
The outer part of the female genitalia. It includes between the ages of 8 – 14 in females, and ages
the labia majora, labia minora, and clitoris. 10 – 16 in males.
Labia majora – large lips covered with Puberty begins when the hypothalamus starts to
pubic hair release gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
Labia minora – small lips covered with and travels to the pituitary gland. GnRH triggers
modified skin the release of two puberty hormones at the
Clitoris – small, almond shaped erectile pituitary gland— luteinizing hormone (LH) and
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
tissue located between the junction of
the two minora These hormones act on the primary reproductive
organs—ovaries for females and testes in males.
Mons pubis/Mons veneris
In Females
The rounded mass of fatty tissue that lies over
the pubic bones. LH stimulates ovulation, maturation of egg cell,
and progesterone production. Progesterone
Cervix
controls the development of the endometrium
The lower, narrow end of the uterus that forms a during menstrual cycle and maintenance of the
canal between the uterus and vagina. uterus during pregnancy. FSH stimulates the
maturation of egg cell in the ovary and estrogen
Uterus/Womb production. Estrogen controls sex drive and
regulates the development of secondary sex
A hollow, pear-shaped organ located in a
characteristics of females.
woman’s pelvis. This is where the fertilized egg
develops and grows. In Males
Ovaries LH stimulates testosterone production.
Testosterone affects a male’s appearance and
These are two small, almond-shaped organs
sexual development. It stimulates sperm
where the egg cells form and the female
production as well as a male’s sex drive. FSH
hormones, estrogen and progesterone, are
stimulates testicular growth and enhances the
made.
production of androgen. Androgen is responsible
Fallopian tubes for the development of secondary sexual
characteristics in males.
These are two long, slender tubes that connect
the ovaries to the uterus. They contain the egg THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE
cell until fertilization takes place and provide a
Menstruation or monthly period, is the monthly
passage way leading the sperm to the egg, and
shedding of the lining of the uterus. Females
the fertilized egg to the uterus.
begin to menstruate between the ages of 11 and
THE ROLE OF HORMONES 15. The ovarian cycle contains the events that
occur in the ovary, while the uterine cycle
contains the events that occur in the uterus.
BIOLOGY 10
The Reproductive System
Phases of the Menstrual Cycle - uses information from sensors to
Menstrual Phase
- (Days 1 – 5)
- this is when menstruation occurs
- blood and endometrial tissues detach
from the inside of the uterus and pass
from the uterus to the vagina and then
out of the body
Follicular Phase
- (Days 6 – 13)
- the endometrium in the uterus begins to
build up again increase the rate of processes
- several follicles star maturing in the - activated to induce the same effect that
ovaries promotes further change
- e.g. childbirth, lactation, ovulation, blood
Ovulation Phase clotting
- (Day 14)
The Feedback Loop
- a matured oocyte or egg cell will be
released from the ovary
Luteal Phase
- (Days 15 – 28)
- endometrium of the uterus continues to
prepare for a fertilized egg
- the uterine lining becomes thicker and
develops more blood vessels
- the mature follicle that just released its
egg develops into a structure called a
corpus luteum
FEEDBACK MECHANISMS
Feedback Mechanism is the process through Hypothalamus releases gonadotropin-
which the level of one substance influences the releasing hormone (GnRH) to the
level of another substance. pituitary
Pituitary releases FSH to stimulate
Negative Feedback Mechanism follicles in the ovary to mature
- reduces or minimizes any changes or The follicle releases estrogen which
conditions in the body causes the endometrial lining of the
- involves a response that is the reverse uterus to thicken
of the change
- activated to induce the same effect This estrogen at mid cycle, also causes
when the receptor and effector detected the pituitary to release LH and stop
it secreting FSH
- e.g. blood sugar regulation, salt and
water regulation
Positive Feedback Mechanism
BIOLOGY 10
The Reproductive System
