Reproductive System

Question 1

What is an organ system?

Answer 1

A collection of organs, tissues and processes which carry out a specific function

Question 2

What is the structure of the male reproductive system?

Answer 2

Prostate gland, penis and testicles

Question 3

Give 3 functions of the male reproductive system

Answer 3

1) Produce sperm
2) Deliver spermatozoa in semen into the female reproductive system
3) Fertilise female egg / ovum

Question 4

What is the structure of the female reproductive system?

Answer 4

Fallopian tube, uterus, ovary, cervix, vagina

Question 5

Give 6 functions of the female reproductive system

Answer 5

1) Produce eggs / ova
2) Reception of the spermatozoa
3) Environment for fertilisation and foetal development
4) Childbirth
5) Lactation
6) Embryonic development

Question 6

Explain how the reproductive system works

Answer 6

The first step is fertilisation which occurs in the fallopian tube and moves through peristalsis and ciliary movement. This is where the union of the male sperm with the female egg takes place. The next step is implantation where the embryo adheres to the wall of the uterus, known as the endometrium. However, if the fertilisation process is ineffective, the endometrium begins to break away for menstruation. If the fertilisation process is effective, at this point embryonic development occurs. Here, the egg becomes a zygote after fertilisation, then the zygote divides through the process of mitosis into a morula and eventually the morula becomes a blastocyst where the embryoblast will become the foetus and the trophoblast will become the placenta walls.