The Reproductive System

Puberty
► Puberty is the stage in peoples lives when they develop from
a child into an adult because of changes in their body
that make them able to have children

► These changes are caused by hormones.

► Some of the changes are known as secondary sexual

characteristics.

► Secondary sexual characteristics are features typical of a

male or female which are not directly used in reproduction

► The hormone testosterone is responsible for the

development of secondary sexual characteristics in males.
► The secondary sexual characteristics in males
include:

► The voice becoming deeper.

► muscles developing.
► hair covering the region of the sex organs, face
and body.
► body odour.
► and acne starting to develop.
► The hormone oestrogen is responsible for the development
of secondary sexual characteristics in females.

► The secondary sexual characteristics in females include:

► breasts get bigger, hips and thighs become more rounded

(as fat is deposited)
► hair grows in the region of the sex organs
► menstruation starts,
► body odour and acne develop in some cases

► Other changes to the reproductive system also occur. This

will be discussed at a later stage.
Purpose of the reproductive system
► To produce sex cells so that parents can have
children and the continuation of the species can
be ensured.
► In sexual reproduction gametes need to join
together. In the case of humans - sperm cells
and eggs need to join together.
 Male Reproductive Organs
► Most of the males reproductive organs are found
outside the body and is comprised of:

► Testicles

► Made up of testes which are contained in a bag of

skin and muscle called the scrotum. Sperm (male
sex cells) is produced in the testes. They are
outside the body in order to be kept at a lower
temperature (35˚C) so that sperm can be
produced.
► Sperm Duct (vas deferens)

► Sperm moves out of the testis and travels along

the sperm duct where it mixes with liquid
produced by the prostate gland (which makes
the sperm cells active).
► this mixture of sperm and liquid is called semen

► Penis

► The sperm duct connects with the urethra which

carries urine and semen outside the body through
the penis.
► (Urine and semen do not move through the urethra
at the same time). The penis is made up of spongy
tissue which becomes larger and stiff when filled
with blood at pressure.
Male Reproductive Organs
Female Reproductive Organs
► Most of a woman's reproductive organs are
inside her body where they are well
protected.

Ovaries
► Two ovaries- one on either side of the uterus.
They produce oestrogen and make and store
the female sex cells known as the eggs or ova.
Each month they take turns to produce a
mature ovum- we call this ovulation
Oviducts
► Each ovary has a special funnel – shaped
structure around it to collect the eggs as they
leave the ovary.

► This becomes the oviduct (or fallopian tubes)

► The mature ovum travel along these ducts to the

uterus or womb.

► Fertilisation occurs in the oviduct.

Uterus
► Hollow with strong muscular walls that can carry and
protect a baby.
► The uterus is connected to the ovaries by oviducts
(fallopian tubes).
► The bottom opening of the uterus is called the
cervix, which is tightly closed to protect the uterus.
The Vagina
► The cervix leads into a wider tube called the
vagina.
► The vagina connects the uterus to the outside of
the body and acts as a canal for the penis to fit
into during intercourse so that sperm can be
delivered to the oviducts
► Folds of skin called the labia cover and protect
the opening of the vagina.
Female Reproductive Organs
 Processes
► See table 2.7 on page 42 and unit 3
► During sexual reproduction, the egg and sperm have
to combine to form a new individual. From there
many processes take place:

► 1. Fertilisation- Sex Cells- sperm and egg combine to

form one new cell (zygote) with characteristics
from both.

► 2. Implantation-Zygote grows into a ball of cells- its

then implanted in the wall (lining) of the uterus to
get nutrients
► 3. Cell division-Zygote divides to form a ball of
cells then an embryo and finally a foetus (can be
recognised as a human at this point)

► 4. Birth-Once the foetus is developed and able

to survive outside the womb (normally after 9
months), it leaves the uterus- the baby is born.

► 5. Growth-Over the next 15-20 years the baby

grows and develops to become an adult size. Cell
division continues
► 6. Puberty-Between the ages of 12 to 16 the sex
organs become active so reproduction can start
and repeat the whole process.

► 7. Maturation-The body, sex organs and brain

develop at different rates, but all eventually
reach maturation.

► 8. Ovulation (females)- Eggs are produced in the

ovaries and one is released every month
► 9. Menstruation (females)-If the egg is not
fertilised, the wall of the uterus that was made
to receive it breaks down and leaves the body as
the menstrual flow

► 10. Copulation-Sexual intercourse. The egg is

only fertilised in the oviducts so the sperm cells
need to be placed inside the female
reproductive organs for fertilisation to happen

► 11. Ejaculation- when the sperm leaves the man’s

body
The effect of the pituitary gland on Puberty

► When a baby is born, it has all its sex organs.

► However, a baby boys testes cant make sperm and

a baby girls ovaries cant release eggs (although she
has thousands of immature ones waiting). The sex
organs aren’t active.

► When people’s sex organs become active we say

that they have reached puberty.
► This happens when the pituitary gland becomes
mature enough and it releases a hormone that
enters the blood and affects the sex organs,
causing them to mature and produce sex
hormones.

► These hormones cause various changes in the

bodies of males and females.
Males:
► The testes start producing sperm and
Testosterone is released which affects changes in
the body and causes the development of secondary
sexual characteristics.

Females:
► Ovaries start releasing mature eggs and oestrogen
is produced causing the development of secondary
sexual characteristics.
 Stages of Reproduction
► A mature woman's body prepares for the event of
having a baby every month

Ovulation, changes in the uterus and menstruation:

Ovulation
► Ovulation is the process of releasing an egg from
the ovary.
► The eggs develop inside a small bubble in the ovary.
1.)Once a month, one of
the ovaries starts
growing an egg

5.)It then moves slowly

2.)The bubble, with its
down the oviduct to
egg grows until it bulges
arrive at the uterus
from the ovary
several days later

3.)When the egg is ripe, 4.)The egg is collected

the bubble bursts open by the funnel shaped
, releasing the egg opening of the oviduct
Changes to the uterus
► The uterus prepares itself for the arrival of a
fertilized egg

► During the week following possible fertilization

the lining in the uterus grows thicker with
tissue containing glands and many blood vessels

► It can protect and provide nutrients for a

possible fertilized egg
Menstruation
► If the egg is not fertilised this thick lining that
has developed in the uterus is not needed and
starts to break down (about14 days after
ovulation).

► The useless blood and dead cells exits through

the vagina of the woman's body. This is known as
menstruation or a ‘period’.

► The bleeding goes on for several days until all

the extra lining in the uterus has been lost.
► Once menstruation has finished, the uterus
starts to build a new lining in case the next egg
gets fertilized.

► The next ovulation happens about 14 days after

the start of the period, by which time the
uterus lining is ready to receive the fertilised
egg.

► The whole cycle known as the menstrual cycle

therefore takes 28 days.
 Copulation
► We are now going to look at what happens if a
fertilised egg reaches the uterus instead of an
unfertilised one.

► Fertilization of the egg requires sperm to be

present in the woman's reproductive organs. This
happens as a result of sexual intercourse, which
is known as copulation in animals.

► During sexual intercourse, the male has an

erection. His penis becomes stiff as it fills with
blood under pressure.
► The erect penis is placed in the woman's vagina
and rhythmical movements causes the sperm
from the testes to mix with liquid from the
glands along the sperm duct to make semen.

► The muscles of the penis contract violently and

the semen is forced out into the woman's vagina.
This is called ejaculation.

► After ejaculation the sperm swim up through the

uterus and into the oviduct.
Fertilization
► Fertilization: The joining of the sperm and egg
to make one cell (zygote).

► There can be millions of sperm cells but only one

will break through the membrane of the egg and
fertilize it.

► Eggs can only be fertilised in the oviduct and

sperm can survive two to three days in the
oviduct, so fertilization can only take place if
sexual intercourse happens a few days before or
after ovulation.
 Implantation
► Once the egg has been fertilised, the zygote cell
starts dividing as it is carried down the oviduct
to the uterus.

► By the time it reaches the uterus, it is a little

ball of cells which is hollow in the centre. It is
now called an embryo.
► The embryo sinks into the thick lining that
the uterus has prepared for it. This is called
implantation. The woman is now pregnant.

► The embryo cant survive unless its firmly

implanted.

► It will get all it needs to live and grow from

its mothers blood.
 The Placenta

► Once the embryo is implanted, it starts to grow.

► During the next few weeks it grows into

something that is clearly a human. It is now called
a foetus

► To keep alive, the foetus needs food and oxygen

and it needs to get rid of wastes.
► Its attached to the uterus wall of its mother by
a flexible umbilical cord.

► The umbilical cord runs to a place called the

placenta which is attached to the side of the
uterus and anchors the baby to the mother’s
tissues.
► Blood from the foetus goes into the placenta
where it is very close to the mothers blood in her
uterus.

► Although they are kept separate, substances such

as food and oxygen can easily diffuse from the
mothers blood into the blood of the foetus.

► Wastes the foetus produces are passed out into

the mothers blood.
 Gestation
► The Gestation period is the time that the baby is
developing in the mothers womb. There are
different stages of development:

► First three months – the foetus develops all its

organs, fingers, toes etc.

► Next six months- It grows in size and the organs

develop so that the baby can survive outside the
uterus when its born.
► The gestation period for humans is 40 weeks.

► Therefore the foetus is fully formed and is

ready to be born 9 months after fertilisation
took place.
 Contraception

► Conception is the process of fertilization and

implantation of the egg; so contraception is what
stops this from happening.

► Therefore pregnancy can be prevented by using a

contraceptive.
► There are various forms of contraceptives:

► Condoms- stop the sperm from entering the

woman’s reproductive system (also stop the
transmission of STDs)

► IUD- stops the embryo from being implanted in

the uterus

► Contraceptive pill- stops the egg from being

released
► Tubal litigation (women)- oviducts are cut and
tied, preventing mature eggs from reaching the
uterus

► Vasectomy- sperm duct is cut and tied so sperm

are prevented from coming out
Health Issues
Infertility:
► Inability to conceive a child
► It can have a big emotional impact which can cause
depression.

► Infertility can be due to causes in the woman, man or

both.
► The treatment of infertility needs expert help
from doctors and depends on the cause.

► There are advanced techniques such as IVF

(invitro fertilisation) where the embryo is
produced in a glass apparatus in a laboratory and
then implanted into the woman's body.
Possible causes of female infertility Possible causes of Male infertility
If the woman's own body rejects the fertilised egg Low sperm count or unhealthy sperm that do not swim
effectively
Cancers and growths in reproductive organs. High body temperatures for a long period of time

Defects in reproductive organs when they have Taking drugs such as alcohol that can damage sperm
developed.

Hormone imbalance in the body. Hormone imbalance causing impotence (not able to have
an erection and therefore copulate)
Diseases of the sex organs, e.g. some sexually Vasectomy (cutting the sperm duct) to stop sperm
transmitted diseases. leaving the body.

Poor nutrition Diseases of the sex organs, for example some sexually
transmitted diseases
Exercising too much

Old age
Taking certain drugs, for example, alcohol, and some
medicines
Foetal Alcohol Syndrome:

• If a woman drinks alcohol while pregnant, it can pass

across the placenta and into the developing baby.

• In the first 3 months, the foetus is growing quickly

and developing structures such as the brain.

• Alcohol interferes with these developments and

leads to foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
• Main effects are:

► Damage to the CNS of the baby, especially the

brain. It causes a lifetime of poor memory,
attention deficit, poor learning ability and often
mental health problems. FAS is said to be the
most common cause of mental retardation. It
cant be cured because the fault happens while
the brain is developing.

► Altered facial features: Scientists have shown

that this set of features is always associated
with poor mental development.
► Other body features are also affected. E.g.
FAS children are nearly always below average in
height and weight and may have heart problems,
weakened joints and kidney problems.

► Its therefore important for a woman to sop

drinking alcohol as soon as she knows she is
pregnant.
Sexually transmitted diseases:

► May affect men and woman.

► They are all very dangerous and can

damage the reproductive system.

► HIV/Aids, gonorrhoea, syphilis, genital

herpes etc
► If a male in a sexual partnership wears a condom
correctly during the sexual act, then the
delicate skin of the sexual organs do not touch.
This reduces the chance that micro – organisms
can pass from one person to the other.

► Best way to avoid STDs is responsible sexual

behaviour. This involves abstinence from sexual
activity until you and another person want a
permanent partnership.