4.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION (41 MARKS)
TERM 1 PAPER 1
DURATION 3 weeks WEIGHTING 41 marks (28%)
LINKS TO PRIOR KNOWLEDGE/BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE
Grade 9 – Reproductive systems, grade 12 - Meiosis
4.1KEY CONCEPTS/MINDMAPS
Male reproductive Female reproductive
system system
Structure
Gestation
Implantation
Puberty
Placenta
Human
reproduction
Gametogenesis
Fertilisation
Menstrual Spermatogenesis Oogenesis
Development
cycle
of zygote to
blastocyst
Ovarian cycle Hormonal
control
Uterine
cycle
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4. 2 TERMINOLOGY
BIOLOGICAL TERM DESCRIPTION
Acrosome The vesicle which contains enzymes found in the head of a sperm
cell
Amniotic fluid A fluid that protects the human embryo against injuries and large-
scale temperature changes
Blastocyst/blastula A hollow ball of cells formed from the zygote
Chorion The outermost membrane found around the embryo/foetus
Chorionic villi Finger-like extensions of the chorion which extend out into the
placenta
Copulation The introduction of the male sex organ into the female sex canal,
followed by a discharge of semen.
Endometrium The inner lining of the uterus where implantation of the embryo
occurs
Extra embryonic The membranes that form from the embryo which assist in the
membranes development of the embryo
Fallopian tube Part of the female reproductive system where fertilisation occurs
Fertility The ability to conceive children.
Fertilisation When the nucleus of the sperm cell fuses with the nucleus of the
ovum
Follicle stimulating The hormone responsible for the development of follicles in the ovary
hormone/FSH
Gestation The period between fertilization and birth when the foetus develops
in the womb
Implantation The attachment of the fertilized ovum or blastocyst to the wall of the
uterus at the start of pregnancy
Luteinising hormone/LH The hormone responsible for ovulation and the formation of the
corpus luteum
Oestrogen The hormone that causes the thickening of the endometrium and is
produced by the Graafian follicle
Oogenesis The production of female gametes through meiosis
Prolactin A hormone produced by the pituitary gland/hypophysis that
stimulates milk production in human females
Puberty The stage in humans when sexual maturity is reached in males and
females
Spermatogenesis The production of male gametes through meiosis
Testosterone A hormone that stimulates the maturation of sperm and stimulates
puberty in males
Vas deferens The male reproductive tube that connects the testis with the urethra
Zygote The diploid cell formed by the process of fertilisation
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4.3 EXAMINATION TECHNIQUES AND TIPS
Male and female reproductive systems
You need to know the diagrams of the male reproductive system (side and front view), sperm cell,
female reproductive system and ovum. Refer to Mind the GAP and the DBE Gr 12 textbook for detailed
diagrams with structures and their functions. (pg. 19-21 MTG, DBE textbook pg. 73, 75, 78-79)
Below are diagrams with their functions for the side and front views of the male and female reproductive
systems.
urinary bladder
seminal vesicle
prostate gland
Cowper’s gland
urethra
epididymis
testis
penis
The male reproductive system: front view
The female reproductive system: side view
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The male reproductive system: side view with functions
The female reproductive system: front view with functions
21
Puberty (refer to the 2021 Examination guideline pg. 10, DBE textbook pg. 77)
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Gametogenesis (refer to the Examination guideline, DBE textbook Pg. 77-80)
Gametogenesis = Spermatogenesis + Oogenesis. This topic is linked to meiosis.
Formation of gametes (gametogenesis) by meiosis:
• Male gametes formed by spermatogenesis
• Female gametes formed by oogenesis
Spermatogenesis:
• Under the influence of testosterone
• diploid cells in the seminiferous tubules of the testes undergo meiosis
• to form haploid sperm cells
The structure of a sperm
Be advised that when asked for the structural suitability of sperm, two marks are generally allocated to
each structural adaptation of the sperm, one mark for the part/structure and the second mark for the role
it plays, as shown in a few of the answers below:
STRUCTURE THE ROLE IT PLAYS
The acrosome Contains enzymes to dissolve a path into the ovum
The tail Enables sperm cells to swim to the ovum
Many mitochondria in the To provide energy for the sperm movement
middle piece
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Oogenesis:
• Diploid cells in the ovary undergo mitosis
• to form numerous follicles.
• At the onset of puberty
• and under the influence of FSH,
• one cell inside a follicle enlarges and undergoes meiosis.
• Of the four cells that are produced, only one survives to form a mature, haploid ovum.
• This occurs in a monthly cycle.
Structure of an ovum
STRUCTURE FUNCTION
Layer of jelly Provides protection for the early developmental stages
of the fertilised ovum
Cytoplasm Nourishes the ovum
Haploid nucleus Contains 22 autosomes and one sex chromosome (X
chromosome)
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Drawing skill
You must be able to draw and label the ovum and sperm cell.
Practice Question: Draw a labelled diagram of an ovum.
Marking guideline:
You need to be able to draw
and label the sperm cell and
ovum. Remember all
drawings must:
• Include a caption
• Be drawn in pencil and
labelled in pen. Label
lines must not cross.
• Be large and fill half a
page
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Menstrual cycle
Diagram showing the ovarian cycle, uterine cycle and hormones involved of the menstrual cycle
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Know the
difference between
corpus callosum
and corpus
luteum
Diagrammatic representation of the ovarian cycle
1 7 14 28
A diagram indicating the sequence of the uterine cycle starting from day 1 to day 28
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DAY EVENT
1-7 Menstruation: lining breaks down and is released
8 - 13 Oestrogen stimulates the endometrium to become thicker, more
glandular and vascular
15 - 22 Progesterone stimulates the endometrium to become even more
thicker, more glandular and vascular to receive a fertilised ovum
Hormones involved in the menstrual cycle: FSH, LH, Oestrogen and Progesterone (FLOP)
Note: Remember this when you approach the endocrine system and homeostasis.
GLAND HORMONE FUNCTION
Pituitary gland FSH (Follicle stimulating Stimulates the
hormone) development/growth of the
follicle
Pituitary gland LH (Luteinising hormone) Stimulates ovulation
Ovary (developing Oestrogen Thickening of endometrium
follicle)
Ovary (Corpus Luteum) Progesterone Maintains the thickness of the
endometrium.
Placenta (Pregnancy) Progesterone Maintains pregnancy by
maintaining the thickness of
the endometrium.
Refer to MTG Pg 23 and the DBE Gr 12 textbook Pg 80 to 85 for the diagram showing the level of
the ovarian and pituitary hormones during the menstrual cycle. Below is a flow diagram representation
of the interactions of the hormones in the menstrual cycle.
Flow diagram showing the Interactions of the hormones in the menstrual cycle
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Negative feedback of FSH and progesterone
If the ovum is fertilised, the corpus luteum remains active and continues to secrete progesterone. The
increased level of progesterone inhibits the pituitary gland from secreting FSH (decreased FSH in the
blood) which results in no follicle development in the ovary. No ovulation will take place. When the
levels of progesterone drop, the pituitary gland is no longer inhibited (FSH secretion increases in
the blood) A new follicle starts to develop.
Pituitary gland
ibit
In h Secrete
Increased Less FSH
progesterone
Inhibit
Follicle development
in the ovary
Cause Secrete –
s releasing useful
substances
Decreased Inhibit –
oestrogen preventing a gland
from carrying out
its usual function
Inhibit
Pituitary gland
Secrete
Less LH
Causes
No ovulation
Flow diagram showing negative feedback
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Fertilisation, development of zygote to blastocyst and implantation
(Refer to MTG Pg. 25 and DBE Gr 12 textbook Pg. 87 and 88)
Fertilisation is when the nucleus of the sperm cell fuses with the nucleus of the ovum. Fertilisation
results in the formation of a diploid zygote which further develops by mitosis into a blastocyst.
Know the sequence of development:
Hollow ball of
cells
is
d iv ide by mitos
Cells
Fertilisation and development of the blastocyst
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GESTATION PREGNANCY
Gestation (Refer to DBE Gr 12 textbook Pg. 89 and 90) The period of development of the Pregnancy refers to all the changes
foetus in the uterus which takes (hormonal, physical, emotional) that take
place from conception to birth. place in the body of a female as a result of
After implantation, extra-embryonic membranes
the developing foetus.
develop from the developing embryo. These are the
chorion and the amnion. Chorionic villi (finger-like The placenta is attached to the embryo by the umbilical cord. See
projections) from the chorion of the embryo will grow into diagram below.
the uterus tissue of the mother to form the placenta. Umbilical arteries carry carbon dioxide and metabolic waste to the
placenta. Umbilical vein carries oxygen and nutrients from the
placenta to the foetus.
Development of the extra-embryonic membranes The placenta and umbilical cord
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Placenta
Structure: An oval, vascular structure in
the uterus that nourishes the foetus.
Function: - Gaseous exchange between Chorionic villi
mother and foetus Structure: Finger-like projections of the chorion which
- Providing nutrients to foetus project into blood spaces in the uterus of the mother.
- Secreting progesterone Function: Provide maximum contact with maternal blood.
Forms part of the placenta.
Chorion Umbilical cord
Structure: The outermost extra-embryonic Structure: A flexible cordlike structure
membrane covering the amnion. containing the umbilical arteries and umbilical
Function: Forms the chorionic villi which vein attaching the foetus to the placenta.
forms part of the placenta. Function: Umbilical arteries carry carbon
dioxide and metabolic waste to the placenta.
Amnion Umbilical vein carries oxygen and nutrients from
Structure: The inner most extra-embryonic the placenta to the foetus.
membrane.
Function: Secretes the amniotic fluid and foetus
protects the developing foetus.
endometrium
Amniotic fluid
Structure: The fluid contained
inside the amniotic sac.
Function: - Shock absorber
- Protect foetus against large uterine wall
temperature changes
- Protects foetus against cervix
desiccation
vagina
Foetus in uter
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