reproductive system Flashcards
define the reproductive system
the reproductive system consists of male and female reproduction, and is the fertilisation of an egg by sperm.
how does fertilisation work?
fertilisation works by the sperm implanting itself onto an egg, therefore making the egg become a zygote, and after a few days becomes an embryo. At 8 weeks it becomes a foetus, and at 40 weeks the hormones trigger labour and a baby is born
what’s the male reproductive system`/
the male reproductive system is made up of the penis and testes. these testes produce sperm and testosterone, and the penis fills up with blood when sexually aroused to become erect.
how is sperm produced?
the sperm is produced by the seminiferous tubules inside each testis, where sperm is made using meiosis.
Sperm production begins at puberty and continues throughout life, with hundreds of sperm being produced each day. Once sperm is formed, they are stored in the epididymis where they mature.
what is the female reproductive system
it consists of 2 ovaries, 2 fallopian tubes, the uterus, the cervix and the vagina. Fertilisation takes place in the fallopian tubes, and once fertilised it will travel to the uterus to be implanted in the lining.
what happens during ovulation
once a month an egg is released from the ovaries and moves to the fallopian tube. During sexual intercourse, the sperm pass through the cervix from the vagina, then into the uterus and along the fallopian tube. Here, a single sperm will meet the egg cell in the tube and fertilisation takes place. The fertilised egg will then develop into a human embryo.
