The Reproductive System

 The Reproductive System

Strands of Hair?

David M. Phillips/Photo Researchers

The things that look like strands of hair are sperm, the male reproductive cells. The red structure is an egg, the female reproductive cell. Why are there so many sperm but only one egg?

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Reproduction and Hormones

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We have read how the endocrine system works with other organ systems and helps the body grow and maintain homeostasis. The endocrine system has another very important function—to ensure that humans can reproduce. Some of the organs of the endocrine system produce hormones that help humans reproduce.

Reproduction is the process by which new organisms are produced. Reproduction is essential to the continuation of life on Earth.

A male and a female each have special organs for reproduction. Organs in the male reproductive system are different from those in the female reproductive system.

 

Human reproductive cells, called gametes (GA meets), are made by the male and female reproductive systems. Male gametes are called sperm. Female gametes are called ova (OH vah; singular ovum), or eggs.

 

As shown in the photo at the beginning of the lesson, a sperm joins with an egg in a reproductive process called fertilization. The cell that forms when a sperm cell fertilizes an egg cell is called a zygote (ZI goht).

 

A zygote is the first cell of a new human. It contains genetic information from both the sperm and the ovum. The zygote will grow and develop in the female’s reproductive system.

 

1. Reading Check How do gametes enable humans to reproduce?

 

 

Gametes enable reproduction by combining in the process of fertilization.

The Male Reproductive System

The male reproductive system, shown in Figure 1, produces sperm and delivers it to the female reproductive system. Sperm are produced in the testes (TES teez; singular, testis). Sperm develop inside each testis and then are stored in tubes called sperm ducts. Sperm matures in the sperm ducts.

The testes also produce a hormone called testosterone. Testosterone helps sperm change from round cells to long, slender cells that can swim. Once sperm have fully developed, they can travel to the penis. The penis is a tubelike structure that delivers sperm to the female reproductive system. Sperm are transported in a fluid called semen (SEE mun). Semen contains millions of sperm and nutrients that provide the sperm with energy.
 

2. Key Concept Check What does the male reproductive system do?
 

The male reproductive system produces sperm and delivers mature sperm to the female reproductive system.

Figure 1 Males and females have specialized organs for reproduction.

The Female Reproductive System

The female reproductive system contains two ovaries, as shown in Figure 1. Eggs grow and mature in the ovaries. Two hormones made by the ovaries, estrogen (ES truh jun) and progesterone (proh JES tuh rohn), help eggs mature. Once mature, eggs are released from the ovaries and enter the fallopian tubes. As shown in Figure 1, the fallopian tubes connect the ovaries to the uterus.

If sperm are also present in the fallopian tube, fertilization can occur as the egg enters the fallopian tube. Sperm enter the female reproductive system through the vagina, a tube-shaped organ that leads to the uterus. A fertilized egg, or zygote, can move through the fallopian tube and attach inside the uterus.

If there are no sperm in the fallopian tube, the egg will not be fertilized. However, it will still travel through the fallopian tube and uterus and then break down.

The Menstrual Cycle The endocrine system controls egg maturation and release and thickening of the lining of the uterus in a process called the menstrual (MEN stroo ul) cycle. The menstrual cycle takes about 28 days and has three parts.

During the first part of the cycle, eggs grow and mature in the ovaries, while the broken down lining of the uterus leaves the body. In the second part of the cycle, mature eggs are released from the ovaries and the lining of the uterus thickens. In the third part of the cycle, unfertilized eggs and the thickened lining break down. The lining leaves the body in the first part of the next cycle.

 

3. Key Concept Check What does the female reproductive system do?

The female reproductive system produces eggs and provides a place for a new human to grow and develop before birth.

 

1 NOTE

WORD ORIGIN

Ask: How does knowing the origin of the word zygote help you remember the meaning of zygote?

The Greek word zygoun means “to join,” and it helps me remember that a zygote is formed when an egg and sperm join together.

WORD ORIGIN

zygote
from Greek zygoun, means “to join”

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4 NOTES

Human Development

From Birth Through Childhood / Adolescence Through Adulthood

Visual Literacy : Figure 3

Visual Literacy : Figure 4

Human Development

Use Figure 2 and the following questions to assess understanding of human development.

Guiding Questions

What happens during pregnancy?

The organ systems of a fetus develop and the fetus gets larger.

What are a zygote, an embryo, and a fetus?

A zygote is a fertilized egg, which develops into a ball-shaped structure called an embryo. The embryo attaches inside the uterus and continues to grow and develop into a fetus.

Visual Check When is the heart fully formed?

The heart is fully formed at 8 weeks.

From Birth Through Childhood / Adolescence Through Adulthood

Have students read about the stages of development that take place after birth. Point out that individuals vary in their development.

Guiding Questions

What is the first life stage after birth? What is the next life stage? How long does each last?

Infancy is the first stage and it lasts for the first 2 years after birth. Childhood is the stage after infancy and it lasts from about 2 years to 12 years of age.

Key Concept Check How do humans change during adulthood?

In later adulthood, their bones get weaker, their hair turns grey and/or stops growing, and their skin wrinkles. Point out that the changes in adulthood vary from individual to individual.

During what life stage could pregnancy first occur? Explain your answer.

Pregnancy can occur in adolescence because puberty occurs and the reproductive systems are mature. Point out that puberty does not occur at exactly the same age in everyone.

Visual Literacy: Figure 3

Use Figure 3 and the summary table below to check students’ understanding of development during infancy.

Ask: Visual Check When does an infant usually crawl?

5–13 months

Ask: What milestones must occur before an infant can walk without support?

The infant must be able to lift its head, sit without support, crawl, and stand without support.

Visual Literacy: Figure 4

Direct students to study the photograph in Figure 4 and read the captions.

Ask: What life stages are the two women in?

adolescence and adulthood

Ask: What changes can you observe between the two stages?

Students may observe changes in the hair, skin, and infer changes in their skeletal systems.

Human Development

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As shown in Figure 2, humans develop in many stages. You have read that when a sperm fertilizes an egg, a zygote forms. The zygote develops into an embryo (EM bree oh). An embryo is a ball-shaped structure that attaches inside the uterus and continues to grow.

The embryo develops into a fetus, the last stage before birth. It takes about 38 weeks for a fertilized egg to fully develop. This developmental period is called pregnancy. During this period, the organ systems of the fetus will develop and the fetus will get larger. Pregnancy ends with birth. During birth, the endocrine system releases hormones that help the uterus push the fetus through the vagina and out of the body.

(clockwise from bottom left) Biophoto Associates/Photo Researchers, Dr. G. Moscoso/Photo Researchers, Anatomical Travelogue/Photo Researchers, Anatomical Travelogue/Photo Researchers, Neil Bromhall/Photolibrary

Figure 2 During pregnancy, a unicellular zygote develops into a fetus.

 

Visual Check When is the heart fully formed?

Notice anything about the beginning stages of each of these different organisms?

 

 

The heart is fully formed at 8 weeks.

From Birth Through Childhood

The first life stage after birth is infancy, the first 2 years of life. During infancy, the muscular and nervous systems develop and an infant begins walking, as shown in Figure 3. Growth and development continue in childhood, which is from about 2 years to about 12 years of age. Bones in the skeletal system grow longer and stronger, and the lymphatic system matures.

Figure 3 During infancy, a human learns to crawl and walk.

Visual Check When does an infant usually crawl?

5–13 months

Adolescence Through Adulthood

Adolescence follows childhood. During adolescence, growth of the skeletal and muscular systems continues. Organs such as the lungs and kidneys get larger. As the endocrine system develops, the male and female reproductive systems mature. The period of time during which the reproductive system matures is called puberty

Interactive Information on Puberty

 

After adolescence is adulthood, as shown in Figure 4. During adulthood, humans continue to change. In later adulthood, hair turns gray, wrinkles might form in the skin, and bones become weaker in a process called aging. Aging is a slow process that can last for decades.

 

1. Key Concept Check How do humans change during adulthood?

In later adulthood, their bones get weaker, their hair turns grey and/or stops growing, and their skin wrinkles. Point out that the changes in adulthood vary from individual to individual.

Digital Vision

Figure 4 Humans continue to change during adolescence and adulthood.

Lesson Review - Visual Summary

Sperm are produced and develop in the testes.

Eggs grow and mature in the ovaries.

During pregnancy, a zygote develops into an embryoand then into a fetus.

Biophoto Associates/Photo Researchers

What do you think NOW?

You first read the statements below at the beginning of the lesson.

1. The testes produce sperm.

2. Puberty occurs during infancy.

Did you change your mind about whether you agree or disagree with the statements? Rewrite any false statements to make them true.

Lesson Assessment

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Use Vocabulary

     1. Sperm and ova are types of __________.

gametes

     2. Distinguish between an ovum and a zygote.

Sample answers might include: An ovum is a mature female gamete, whereas a zygote is a fertilized egg.

     3. Define fertilization in your own words.

Sample answers might include: Fertilization is the fusion of male and female gametes.

Understand Key Concepts

     4. The period between birth and 2 years is called

         A.adolescence.

         B.adulthood.

         C.childhood.

         D.infancy.

     5. Compare the functions of the ovaries and the testes.

Both the ovaries and testes are the places in the reproductive system where gametes are made. In females, the gametes are eggs, and in males the gametes are sperm.

     6. Distinguish between a zygote and a fetus.

A zygote is a unicellular fertilized egg, whereas a fetus develops from the zygote and is made up of many cells with organs and functioning systems.

     7. Which hormone helps the cells produced in the system below mature?

         A.estrogen

         B.insulin

         C.progesterone

         D.testosterone

     8. Which connects the ovaries to the uterus?

           A.bladder

           B.cervix

           C.fallopian tubes

           D.seminiferous tubules

     9. Which system works with the reproductive system?

           A.endocrine

           B.excretory

           C.respiratory

           D.skeletal

 

Interpret Graphics

 

     10. Summarize Copy and fill in the graphic organizer below to show the stages of life.

 

zygote, embryo, fetus, infant, child, adolescent, and adult

     11. Evaluate the changes in aging using the photo below.

PhotoLink/Getty Images

As an adult ages over decades, he or she develops gray hair, wrinkles in the skin, and weaker bones, among other signs of aging.

Critical Thinking

12. Hypothesize why development before birth takes a long time, about 38 weeks.

Sample answers might include: A long time is needed for organs to develop.

13. Summarize the role of puberty in the transition from adolescence to adulthood.

During puberty the reproductive organs of males and females mature and the adults are then able to reproduce and enable the survival of the species.

14. Compare the functions of the male and female reproductive systems.

Both the male and female reproductive systems involve the maturation and storage of gametes; however, the female reproductive system also has to support the developing fetus.

15. Describe how the endocrine system and the reproductive system are related.
16. Why so many sperm and only one egg? To ensure that the one sperm is able to reach an egg, in
       order to fertilise it.