REVIEWER IN SCIENCE (BIOLOGY)

Sexual Reproduction in Humans

Sexual Reproduction - Is any form of sexual reproduction resulting in human fertilization,
typically involving sexual intercourse between a man and a woman.

Fertilization - the fusion of gametes to initiate the development of a new individual

organism.

Sexual intercourse results in fertilization of the Ovum by the Sperm.

Gametes is a haploid cell that fuses with another cell produced by a
process called Melosis. Normal cells contain 46 chromosomes, 23
pairs, gamete cells only contain 23 chromosomes, and it is when
these two cells merge into one Zygote.

Ovum – Also known as the egg cell, Ovum, is the female reproductive cell (gamete) in
oogamous organisms. The egg cell is typically not capable of active movement, and it is much
larger (visible to the naked eye) than the motile sperm cells. When egg and sperm fuse, a
diploid cell (the zygote) is formed, which rapidly grows into a new organism.

Sperm - The main sperm function is to reach the ovum and fuse with it to deliver two sub-
cellular structures: (i) the male pronucleus that contains the genetic material and (ii) the
centrioles that are structures that help organize the microtubule cytoskeleton.

Melosis - is a specialized type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half,
creating four haploid cells

Zygote - eukaryotic cell formed by a fertilization event between two gametes. The zygote's
genome is a combination of the DNA in each gamete, and contains all of the genetic
information necessary to form a new individual. In multicellular organisms, the zygote is the
earliest developmental stage. In single-celled organisms, the zygote can divide asexually by
mitosis to produce identical offspring.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Parts of the Female Reproductive System
Fallopian tube - The Fallopian tubes, also known as uterine tubes or salpinges, are two very fine
tubes lined with ciliated epithelia, leading from the ovaries of female mammals into the
uterus, via the uterotubal junction. They enable the passage of egg cells from the ovaries to
the uterus. In non-mammalian vertebrates, the equivalent structures are called oviducts.

Fundus of Uterus - the top portion, opposite from the cervix. Fundal height, measured from the
top of the pubic bone, is routinely measured in pregnancy to determine growth rates.

Uterus - Has three layers: the inner lining (endometrium); the middle muscular layer (myometrium);
and the outer layer. The uterus is connected to the fallopian tubes, the cervix, and the
vagina. The main purpose of the uterus is to nourish a fetus prior to birth.

Myometrium - The middle layer of the uterine wall, consisting mainly of uterine smooth muscle
cells, but also of supporting stromal and vascular tissue. Its main function is to induce uterine
contractions.

Endometrium - is the mucous membrane that lines the inside of the uterus. The endometrium
changes throughout the menstrual cycle. It becomes thick and rich with blood vessels to
prepare for pregnancy.

Perimetrium – The serious coat of uterus is the outer serosa layer of the uterus, equivalent to
peritoneum. It is embrionically derived from visceral peritoneum.

Internal Os - It communicates with the uterine cavity via the internal orifice of the uterus, and with
the vagina via the external orifice of the uterus. The internal orifice of the uterus is an
interior narrowing of the uterine cavity.

Ovaries - Are part of the female reproductive system. They're located in the lower abdomen on both
sides of the uterus. Women have two ovaries that produce eggs as well as the hormones
estrogen and progesterone.

Cervix - The cervix or cervix uteri is the lower part of the uterusThe narrow, central cervical canal
runs along its entire length, connecting the uterine cavity and the lumen of the vagina.

External Os - It communicates with the uterine cavity via the internal orifice of the uterus,
and with the vagina via the external orifice of the uterus.

Introitus - The vaginal introitus is the opening that leads to the vaginal canal.

Vagina - the vagina is the fibromuscular, tubular part of the female genital tract, which, in humans,
extends from the vulva to the cervix. The outer vaginal opening may be completely or partly
covered by a membrane called the hymen
Parts of the Male Reproductive System
Vas Deferens - Is part of the male reproductive system of many vertebrates; these vasa transport
sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory ducts in anticipation of ejaculation

Bladder - The urinary bladder is a muscular sac in the pelvis, just above and behind the pubic bone.
When empty, the bladder is about the size and shape of a pear.

Colon - The colon is part of the large intestine, the final part of the digestive system. Its function is
to reabsorb fluids and process waste products from the body and prepare for its elimination.

Penis - The penis is the male sex organ, reaching its full size during puberty. In addition to its sexual
function, the penis acts as a conduit for urine to leave the body.

Urethra - The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside of the body. In
males, it has the additional function of ejaculating semen when the man reaches orgasm.

Epididymis - is a long, coiled tube that stores sperm and transports it from the testes.

Testicle - The testes (plural) are the most essential organs of the male reproductive system. They
are the glands where sperm and testosterone are produced. The testes are contained in the
scrotum and are composed of dense connective tissue containing around three hundred
internal compartments called lobules.

Prostate - The prostate gland is a male reproductive organ whose main function is to secrete
prostate fluid, one of the components of semen.

Seminal Vesicle - The seminal gland, more commonly referred to as the seminal vesicle, holds the
liquid that mixes with sperm to form semen. Semen combines fluid elements from the
epididymis, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and vas deferens. Each body part plays a key role
in semen production.
Female Reproduction Cycles