Human Reproduction & Genetics Flashcards
Ovaries
Ovaries store and release eggs.
Fallopian tubes
The fallopian tubes carry the egg to the uterus, fertilisation occurs here.
Uterus (womb)
The uterus (womb) is where the fertilised egg becomes implanted and finds nourishment.
Cervix
The cervix leads from the vagina to the uterus.
Vagina
The vagina holds the male penis during sexual intercourse.
Ovulation
Ovulation is when an egg is released from the ovary on an average of every 28 days.
The egg is released:
The egg is released on day 13-15 of the menstrual cycle and it passes along the fallopian tubes to the uterus.
Menstruation/Period
The lining and a small amount of blood pass out through the vagina (day 1-5)
Fertile period
These are the days of the menstrual cycle when the woman is most likely to become pregnant.
Menopause
Menopause signals the end of a female’s ability to reproduce and also the end of her menstrual cycle. It happens at different ages for different people, typically in the late 40’s to early 50’s.
Testes
The testes produce sperm.
Scrotum
The scrotum is where the testes are, it is located outside the body to ensure the temperature is lower than body temperature for healthy sperm.
Epididymis
The epididymis is a coiled tube on the outside of each testis that stores sperm and allows them to mature fully.
Vas deferens
The vas deferens (sperm duct) brings the sperm from the testes to the penis.
Seminal vesicles, prostate gland and Cowper’s gland
The seminal vesicles, prostate gland and Cowper’s gland produce seminal fluid which mixes with sperm to form semen, it nourishes the sperm and allows them to swim.
Penis
The penis enters the female and ejaculates semen.
Puberty
Puberty describes when the body starts becoming sexually mature (reproductive organs develop). It normally happens between the ages 10 and 16.
Male puberty
In males, sex hormones (testosterone) are released causing the voice to deepen, hair grows around sex organs, face, chest and underarms, the testes and penis grow bigger and start to produce sperm.
Female puberty
In females when the sex hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) are released the breasts develop, hips widen, and hair begins to grow on the body.
During intercourse the man’s
During intercourse the man’s penis fills with blood and becomes hard enough to be placed inside the woman’s vagina.
Semen
A mixture of sperm cells and seminal fluid is released into the vagina during intercourse.
The sperm swim
The sperm swim up the uterus and into the fallopian tubes.
Fertilisation
If an egg is present in the fallopian tube, and a couple have sexual intercourse, then one of the sperm cells may fuse with it.