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HUMAN REP

Human reproduction is the biological process of producing offspring through sexual reproduction involving male and female gametes. The male reproductive system includes structures like testes and the penis, while the female reproductive system includes ovaries and the uterus, where fertilization and embryo development occur. Pregnancy involves several stages, including the formation of the placenta and fetal development, culminating in birth.

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7 views

HUMAN REP

Human reproduction is the biological process of producing offspring through sexual reproduction involving male and female gametes. The male reproductive system includes structures like testes and the penis, while the female reproductive system includes ovaries and the uterus, where fertilization and embryo development occur. Pregnancy involves several stages, including the formation of the placenta and fetal development, culminating in birth.

Uploaded by

leylaadria
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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HUMAN REPRODUCTION

Human reproduction is the biological process by which new individual organisms (offspring) are
produced. It involves both male and female reproductive systems and occurs through sexual
reproduction.

 Sexual Reproduction: Involves the fusion of male and female gametes (sperm and egg),
leading to the formation of a zygote.

Male Reproductive System

 Testes: they produce sperms and the hormone testosterone.


 Scrotum: a special sac outside the abdominal cavity containing testes. At this position testes
are kept at a temperature slightly below the body temperature. This is the best temperature
for sperm production.
 Sperm ducts (vas Deferens): carry sperms from the testes to the urethra.
 Prostate gland: it secretes a fluid that protects sperm and helps them move.
 Seminal vesicle: Secrete a fluid that nourishes sperm and forms part of semen; activates aids
in sperm mobility.
 Urethra: it carries urine and semen (fluid containing sperms) out of the male’s body.
 Epididymis: A coiled tube that stores sperms.
 Penis: It is used to deposit sperms into the female’s vagina during sexual intercourse.

Note:

Hormone testosterone is responsible for

1. Development of male secondary sexual characteristics, such as beard, pubic hair, deep
voice and a muscular body.
2. Stimulates the maturation of sperm cells.

Structure of a sperm cell

Female Reproductive System


• Ovaries: they produce ova (eggs) and the hormones oestrogen and progesterone.
• Oviducts: the tube through which the ova pass when released from the ovary. It is also a
region where fertilization occurs.
• Uterus: the region where the embryo is implanted after fertilization in the oviduct.
• Cervix: A ring of muscle closing the lower end of the uterus where it joins the vagina. It
dilates / widens during childbirth.
• Vagina: it accommodates (receives) the penis during sexual intercourse. It is where
sperms are deposited from the male and also serves as a birth canal

Differences between Male and Female Gametes

MALE GAMETE (SPERM) FEMALE GAMETE (OVUM)


Smaller in size (diameter of sperm head is Larger in size (diameter of 0.05mm)
0.01mm)
Has no food store Has a food store
Has a tail which helps it to swim towards the Does not move by itself (move by the help of
egg cilia within the oviducts)
Produced in large numbers Produced in small numbers
Life span is 2 – 3 days (i.e., sperms might be Has a life span of 24hours after being produce
able to fertilize an ovum within 2 – 3 days)

Fertilization

• Once deposited into the vagina sperms swim up through the cervix and uterus to the
oviducts where they meet with an ovum.
• More than 500 million sperms are released from a single ejaculation, but only one sperm
is needed to fertilize the ovum.
• During fertilization the tail of the sperm remains outside as the head travels through the
cytoplasm to deliver the nucleus
• Fertilization is defined as the fusion of the sperm nucleus with the egg nucleus to from a
zygote.
• Egg membrane changes form in order to prevent further entry of other sperms.
• After fertilization, the zygote undergoes a series of divisions (cleavage) as it moves down
towards the uterus and forms a morula (a solid ball of cells).
• The morula continues to divide and forms a blastocyst-a hollow ball of cells with a cluster
of cells inside called the inner cell mass (this will become the embryo).
• The blastocyst is the structure that will implant in the uterus.
• The blastocyst moves towards the uterus and eventually implants into the thickened
lining of the uterus (the endometrium).
• Successful implantation is crucial for pregnancy to continue. It usually happens about 6-7
days after fertilization.
- Implantation is the stage in the mammalian embryonic development in which
the blastocyst hatches and attaches/ burrows into the endometrium of the female's uterus.
 The outer cells of the blastocyst (trophoblast) secrete an enzyme that helps it burrow into
the endometrium, and it starts forming the placenta.

Early development and cleavage in humans


Pregnancy

A number of changes occur in uterus to allow for a successful growth of the embryo. These
include formation of:

• Placenta: a region that allows for the exchange of substances between mother and foetus.

• Umbilical cord: made of umbilical artery which carries deoxygenated blood and waste from
foetus and the umbilical vein bringing oxygenated blood and nutrients from mother to the foetus.

• Amnion: a membrane that surrounds the foetus and produces amniotic fluids

• Amniotic fluid: a watery fluid that protects the foetus from external shock.

Stages of Pregnancy:

1. First Trimester (Weeks 1-12):


 Development of the Embryo: During the first few weeks, the developing embryo forms
the basic structures of the body (such as the neural tube, which will become the brain and
spinal cord).
 Placenta Formation: The placenta is an organ that forms in the uterus during pregnancy.
It connects to the fetus via the umbilical cord. Functions of the placenta include

- Nutrient Exchange: Transfers oxygen, nutrients, and antibodies from the mother to the
fetus.
- Waste Removal: Removes waste products like carbon dioxide and urea from the fetus.
- Hormone Production: Secretes hormones like hCG, estrogen, and progesterone to
support pregnancy.
- Immune Protection: Provides some immunity by passing antibodies from the mother to
the fetus.
 Hormonal Changes: The body produces high levels of hCG (human chorionic
gonadotropin) to maintain the corpus luteum, which in turn produces progesterone to
support the pregnancy.

 Embryonic Development: By week 8, the embryo becomes a fetus, and basic features
(limbs, organs) begin to take shape.

2. Second Trimester (Weeks 13-26):


 Fetal Growth: The fetus grows rapidly in size and begins to look more human. Organs
mature and function begins to regulate.
 Development of Gender: By the end of the second trimester, the fetus's sex can typically
be determined via ultrasound.
 Movement: The mother may begin to feel the fetus moving.
 Placenta Function: The placenta is now fully functional, providing oxygen, nutrients, and
hormones to support the growing fetus.
3. Third Trimester (Weeks 27-40):
 Continued Growth: The fetus gains weight, and its organs continue to mature.
 Lung Development: The lungs are among the last organs to fully mature. By the end of
the third trimester, the fetus can breathe air after birth.
 Final Preparations for Birth: The fetus positions itself head-down in preparation for
birth.
 Cervix Prepares: The cervix softens and dilates in preparation for labor.

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