Learning Objectives
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
Medical Definition of reproductive system: the system of organs and parts which function in reproduction consisting in the male especially of the testes, penis, seminal vesicles, prostate, and urethra and in the female especially of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, and vulva. The female reproductive system includes all of internal and external organs that help with reproduction. The internal sex organs are the ovaries, which are the female gonads, the fallopian tubes, two muscular tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus, and the uterus, which is the strong muscular sack that a fetus can develop in.
- Describe the anatomy of the male and female reproductive systems, including their accessory structures
- Explain the role of hypothalamic and pituitary hormones in male and female reproductive function
- Trace the path of a sperm cell from its initial production through fertilization of an oocyte
- Explain the events in the ovary prior to ovulation
- Describe the development and maturation of the sex organs and the emergence of secondary sex characteristics during puberty
Figure 1. Following a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH), an oocyte (immature egg cell) will be released into the uterine tube, where it will then be available to be fertilized by a male's sperm. Ovulation marks the end of the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle and the start of the luteal phase.
Small, uncoordinated, and slick with amniotic fluid, a newborn encounters the world outside of her mother's womb. We do not often consider that a child's birth is proof of the healthy functioning of both her mother's and father's reproductive systems. Moreover, her parents' endocrine systems had to secrete the appropriate regulating hormones to induce the production and release of unique male and female gametes, reproductive cells containing the parents' genetic material (one set of 23 chromosomes). Her parent's reproductive behavior had to facilitate the transfer of male gametes—the sperm—to the female reproductive tract at just the right time to encounter the female gamete, an oocyte (egg). Finally, combination of the gametes (fertilization) had to occur, followed by implantation and development. In this chapter, you will explore the male and female reproductive systems, whose healthy functioning can culminate in the powerful sound of a newborn's first cry.
1. Add the following labels to the diagram of the male reproductive organs below.
- testis | epididymis | vas deferens | urethra | penis | scrotal sac | prostate gland
Diagram of Male Reproductive System with labels added
2. Match the following descriptions with the choices given in the list below.
- accessory glands | vas deferens or sperm duct | penis | scrotum | fallopian tube | testes | urethra | vagina | uterus | ovary | vulva
- a) The penis delivers semen to the female vagina.
- b) The sperm are produced in the testes.
- c) The vas deferens or sperm duct is the passage for sperm from the epididymis to the penis.
- d) The urethra carries both sperm and urine down the penis.
- e) Accessory glands produce secretions that make up most of the semen.
- f) The scrotum is the bag of skin surrounding the testes.
- g) The foetus develops in the uterus.
- h) The vagina receives the penis during copulation.
- i) Fertilisation usually occurs in the fallopian tube.
- j) Ova travel along the fallopian tube to reach the uterus.
- k) The ova are produced in the ovary.
- l) The vulva is the external opening of the vagina.
3. Which hormone is described in each statement below?
- a) Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulates the growth of the follicles in the ovary.
- b) Luteinising hormone (LH) converts the empty follicle into the corpus luteum and stimulates it to produce progesterone.
- c) Oestrogen is produced by the cells of the follicle.
- d) Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum.
- e) Oestrogen causes the mammary glands to develop.
- f) Progesterone prepares the lining of the uterus to receive a fertilised ovum.
4. State whether the following statements are true or false. If false write in the correct answer.
a) Fertilisation of the egg occurs in the uterus.
- False - Fertilisation normally occurs in the fallopian tube.
b) The fertilised egg cell contains half the normal number of chromosomes.
- False - Once fertilised the normal (diploid or 2n) number of chromosomes are restored.
c) The morula is a hollow ball of cells.
- False - The morula is a solid ball of cells. It is the blastocyst that is hollow.
d) Mixing of the blood of the mother and foetus allows nutrients and oxygen to transfer easily to thefoetus.
a) Fertilisation of the egg occurs in the uterus.
- False - Fertilisation normally occurs in the fallopian tube.
b) The fertilised egg cell contains half the normal number of chromosomes.
- False - Once fertilised the normal (diploid or 2n) number of chromosomes are restored.
c) The morula is a hollow ball of cells.
- False - The morula is a solid ball of cells. It is the blastocyst that is hollow.
d) Mixing of the blood of the mother and foetus allows nutrients and oxygen to transfer easily to thefoetus.
- False - There is no mixing of foetal and maternal blood in the placenta.
e) The morula implants in the wall of the uterus.
- False. It is the blastocyst that implants in the wall of the uterus.
f) The placenta is the organ that supplies the foetus with oxygen and nutrients.
- True.
g) To adjust the baby animal to the outside world the blood has to be re-routed to the lungs.
- True. In the uterus the foetal lungs are inactive and once the baby is born and starts to breathe blood has to be supplied to the lungs so it can be oxygenated.
h) Colostrum is the first milk.
- True.
Physiology Reproductive System
i) Young animals often have to be given calcium supplements because milk contains very little calcium.
Physiology Reproductive System Pdf
- False. Milk contains lots of calcium. What it lacks is iron and this often has to be given as a supplement.
