Term | Definition |
Reproduction | The formation of new individuals |
The reproductive system in humans produces, stores, and releases: | Sex cells/gametes |
Primary reproductive organs | Testes and ovaries (they don't develop until the seventh week) |
Testes produce: | Testosterone |
Ovaries produce: | Estrogen and Progesterone |
Puberty | A period of rapid growth and sexual maturation where the reproductive system becomes fully functional. |
Puberty begins: | Around 9-15 yrs old, when the hypothalamus sends signals to the the pituitary gland in the brain to increase levels of FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone. |
Main function of male reproductive system: | To produce and deliver sperm |
Testes | Male gonads, on the outside of the body. |
Scrotum | External sac that holds the testes |
Why are the testes on the outside of the body? | Sperm need to be several degrees cooler than the rest of the body so they can develop correctly. |
Seminiferous tubules | Clusters of hundreds of tiny tubes where sperm are produced inside the testes |
Epididymus | Collects fully mature sperm |
Vas deferens | Tube where the sperm travel to the outside of the body |
Urethra | Vas deferens merges with the urethra (Tube that leads to the outside of the body) |
Glands lining the reproductive tract: | The prostate, seminal vesicles, bulbourethral glands |
Glands lining the reproductive tract produce: | Nutrient rich seminal fluid which nourishes sperm and protects them from the acidity of the female reproductive tract. |
Semen | Sperm+seminal fluid |
Autonomic nervous system | Prepares male organs to deliver sperm (involuntarily) |
Ejaculation | Act of sperm being ejected by contractions of smooth muscles (involuntarily) |
Sperm are: | Haploid cells formed by meiosis |
Acrosome | Tip of sperm filled with enzymes to break down outer layer of egg cell |
Head | The head of the sperm contains a highly condensed nucleus |
Midpiece | Part of sperm packed with mitochondria to provide energy to propel sperm forward |
Tail/Flagellum | Propels sperm forward |
Negative feedback system | As levels of testosterone rise, the production of FSH/LH is decreased. Increased production of sperm also inhibits production of FSH/LH. AND VICE VERSA! |
Testosterone | Hormone responsible for growth of male reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics of males. |
Male secondary sex characteristics: | Growth of male sex organs, sperm production, body/facial hair increase, increase in muscle mass, growth of long bones in arms/legs, deepening of voice, broadening shoulders |
Route sperm takes through male reproductive system | Epididymus -> Vas deferens -> Urethra |