Reproduction In Humans (Males).

Question 1

What do the testes produce and where are they protected?

Answer 1

• The testes produce the male sex cells, sperm, in tiny tubes, called seminiferous tubules.
• The testes also produce a hormone called testosterone, which brings about changes in boys when they go through puberty.
• The testes are protected in a bag called the scrotum.

Question 2

How does the sperm reach the penis?

Answer 2

The sperm reach the penis through tubes called the sperm ducts or vas deferens.

Question 3

Fill in the missing spaces:
Many _____ are placed inside the _____ of the _____ when a man and a woman have ______ _______. The sperm must _____ towards the _____ through the _____ and the uterus and into the _______. When the sperm reach an ovum only ____ will fuse with it.

Answer 3

Many sperm are placed inside the vagina of the female when a man and a woman have sexual intercourse. The sperm must swim towards the ovum through the cervix and the uterus and into the oviduct. When the sperm reach an ovum only one will fuse with it.

Question 4

Define fertilization.

Answer 4

When the nucleus of the male sex cell has fused with the nucleus of the female sex cell, fertilization is complete.

Question 5

Fill in the missing spaces:
The ovum forms a _____ _____ after ___ sperm has entered. The other sperm ___. The ovum is fertilized in the _____ about ___ ___ after it has been released. After it has been fertilized, it continues down the ____ towards the _____.

Answer 5

The ovum forms a barrier membrane after one sperm has entered. The other sperm die. The ovum is fertilized in the oviduct about a day after it has been released. After it has been fertilized, it continues down the oviduct towards the uterus.

Question 6

What is the scrotum and where is it located?

Answer 6

The scrotum is a muscular sac of skin that contains the testis (plural testes). It hangs behind and below the penis.

Question 7

What happens to the scrotum when it is cold?

Answer 7

When it is cold, the scrotum contracts and brings the testes up towards the abdomen for warmth.

Question 8

What happens to the scrotum when it is hot?

Answer 8

When it is hot, the scrotum relaxes so that the testes hang away from the abdomen.

Question 9

What temperature is sperm produced at and why is this important?

Answer 9

Sperm production occurs at a temperature below body temperature, about 35℃. This is important because it increases the chance of their survival.

Question 10

What happens in the epididymis (there are two of them).

Answer 10

This is where sperm are stored while maturing and the sperm become motile (capable of moving on their own) in the epididymis.

Question 11

What makes the sperm in the epididymis more concentrated?

Answer 11

Some fluids are reabsorbed by the body and this makes the sperm in the epididymis more concentrated.

Question 12

What is a sperm duct (or vas deferens), there are two of them, and what does it do?

Answer 12

A sperm duct is a tube connected to the epididymis and it carries sperm out of the testis to the urethra, to be expelled out of the body during sexual intercourse.

Question 13

What is the penis?

Answer 13

The urethra extends out of the abdomen and is surrounded by erectile tissue which contains blood spaces, forming the penis.

Question 14

What does the penis do?

Answer 14

The blood spaces fill with blood when the male is sexually stimulated, resulting in the penis becoming firm and rigid.

Question 15

Why does the penis become firm?

Answer 15

It is easier to insert the penis into the vagina when it is firm, to deposit semen during sexual intercourse.

Question 16

What is semen?

Answer 16

Semen is a mixture of sperm and some fluids.

Question 17

What is the urethra and what is its purpose?

Answer 17

The urethra is a tube surrounded by erectile tissue to form the penis. It serves as a passage of semen and urine to the outside of the body.

Question 18

What opens into the urethra?

Answer 18

The urinary bladder and the sperm duct (or vas deferens) open into the urethra.

Question 19

What is the role of the Prostate gland, Cowper’s gland, and seminal vesicles (male glands)?

Answer 19

These are three male glands and their role are to produce fluid for transporting the sperm. The mixture of fluids and the sperm is called semen.

Question 20

What is the purpose of the fluid produced by the male glands and what does it contain?

Answer 20

The fluid prevents the sperm from drying out. The fluid contains sugars to provide the sperm with energy for swimming and is alkaline, as this is the preferred pH for sperm.

Question 21

What do the Cowper’s glands release before semen is released?

Answer 21

The Cowper’s glands release fluid before semen is released.

Question 22

Name the 5 secondary sexual characteristics in boys.

Answer 22

• The voice deepens or breaks.
• Pubic hair grows.
• The shoulder broaden.
• The beard starts to grow.
• He may have “wet dreams”.

Question 23

Define ejaculation.

Answer 23

The act of discharging semen from the urethra.

Question 24

What are the diagrams that need to revised?

Answer 24

• Sperm Diagram.
• Male Reproductive System from the front (page 75).
• Male Reproductive System from the side (page 74).

Question 25

What does a “wet dream” mean?

Answer 25

This means that the penis becomes erect and sperm come out, ejaculation, during sleep.