Human Reproductions Flashcards
Fallopian tubes
Carry the eggs to the uterus, fertilisation occurs here.
Ovaries
Store and release eggs.
Uterus (womb)
Where the fertilised egg becomes implanted and finds nourishment.
Cervix
Leads from the vagina to the uterus.
Vagina
Holds the male penis during sexual intercourse, forms the birth canal during childbirth.
Gamete
Is a sex cell.
Male gamete
Is the sperm.
Female gamete
Is the egg/ovum.
Ovulation
An egg is released from the ovary an average of every 28 days. The releasing of the egg is called ovulation.
The Fertile Period
- These are the days of the menstrual cycle when the women is most likely to become pregnant.
- Intercourse 2 or 3 days before, during or after ovulation could lead to fertilisation because sperm cells can survive for this long.
Testes
Produce sperm.
Sperm duct
Brings the sperm from the testes to the penis.
The glands and vesicles
Produces seminal fluid which mixes with sperm to form semen (allows sperm to swim).
Penis
Enters female and ejaculates semen.
Puberty
When the body starts becoming sexually mature (normally happens between the ages 10 to 15).
Puberty in males
Sex hormones (testosterone) are released causing the voice to deepen, hair grows around the sex organs, face, chest and underarms, the testes and penis grow bigger and start to produce sperm.
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.
Copulation
It is another name for sexual intercourse.
Implantation
Occurs when the fertilised egg lodges itself on the lining of the uterus.
Zygote
Egg and sperm fuse to form a single cell.
Embryo
Division of the zygote occurs and it grows. Attaches to the lining of the uterus (implantation).
Foetus
After 8 weeks looks like a human.
Pregnancy
The average length of human pregnancy is 40 weeks.
Amniotic fluid
As the embryo develops in the uterus it is protected inside a bag of fluid called amniotic fluid. This fluid provides a cushion for the embryo, this bursts during delivery of the baby, “water breaking”.
Umbilical cord
A tube called the umbilical cord joins the embryo to the placenta.
Placenta
Is rich in blood vessels. It is here that food and oxygen from the mothers blood passes into the baby’s blood. Also waste such as Carbon Dioxide pass from the baby’s blood into the mothers.
Birth
Begins when the muscles start to contract. The bag of amniotic fluid bursts “waters bursting” and the further contractions push the baby out, usually head first. The umbilical cord is cut and the placenta (afterbirth) comes out after.
Labour
The muscles of the uterus contract.
Family planning
To control the number of children you have, you need to control the number of times fertilisation takes place.
Natural methods of contraception
Aim to detect the day ovulation takes place and avoid intercourse during the fertile period.
Artificial methods of contraception
Prevent the sperm and egg meeting.
Eg. Condom which prevents sperm entering the vagina.
Eg. Contraceptive pill which prevents ovulation.
Abstain
It is important to realise no method is 100% reliable, to abstain from sex (to not have sexual intercourse) is the only way to avoid pregnancy.
Condoms
Condoms can prevent pregnancy and the spread of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s) or Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI’s).
