Chapter 3: Human Reproduction – Complete Notes (Class 12 NCERT)
1. Introduction
Humans reproduce sexually.
Males produce male gametes (sperms), females produce female gametes (ova).
Fertilization → Zygote → Embryo → Fetus → Newborn.
Humans are viviparous → Give birth to young ones.
2. Male Reproductive System
Location:
Pelvic region, outside abdominal cavity → in scrotum.
Scrotum keeps testes 2–2.5°C cooler → essential for sperm formation.
Parts:
1. Testes (Primary sex organs)
o Oval, 4–5 cm long, 2–3 cm wide.
o Each testis has ~250 compartments (lobules) → each lobule has 1–3 seminiferous
tubules.
o Seminiferous tubules: Lined with 2 types of cells:
Male germ cells (spermatogonia): Produce sperms.
Sertoli cells: Provide nourishment to sperms.
o Leydig/Interstitial cells: Between tubules → Secrete testosterone.
2. Accessory ducts:
o Rete testis → Vasa efferentia → Epididymis → Vas deferens → Ejaculatory duct →
Urethra
o Epididymis: Stores and matures sperms.
o Vas deferens: Transfers sperms during ejaculation.
3. Accessory glands:
o Seminal vesicles: Secrete fructose (energy for sperms), prostaglandins.
o Prostate gland: Secretes milky alkaline fluid.
o Bulbourethral glands (Cowper’s glands): Secrete mucus for lubrication.
4. External genitalia:
o Penis: Organ for copulation, transfers sperms into female tract.
Seminal fluid = Sperms + Secretions of accessory glands → Provides medium, nutrition, alkaline pH
for sperm motility.
3. Female Reproductive System
Location:
Pelvic region.
Parts:
1. Ovaries:
o Almond-shaped, size: 2–4 cm.
o Produce ova & hormones estrogen and progesterone.
2. Oviducts (Fallopian Tubes):
o Each tube: 10–12 cm long, 3 regions:
Infundibulum: Funnel-shaped end, has fimbriae (finger-like projections).
Ampulla: Wide middle part; fertilization occurs here.
Isthmus: Narrow part joining uterus.
3. Uterus (Womb):
o Pear-shaped, thick muscular wall (myometrium).
o Inner lining = endometrium → undergoes cyclic changes, prepares for pregnancy.
4. Vagina:
o Muscular tube → Birth canal + receives sperm.
4. Gametogenesis
Process of formation of gametes (sperms & ova).
A. Spermatogenesis (In Males)
Starts at puberty due to ↑ GnRH from hypothalamus → ↑ FSH & LH from pituitary.
Steps:
1. Spermatogonia (2n) → Mitosis → Primary spermatocytes (2n)
2. Primary spermatocyte → Meiosis I → Secondary spermatocytes (n)
3. Secondary spermatocytes → Meiosis II → Spermatids (n)
4. Spermiogenesis: Spermatids → Spermatozoa (mature sperms).
5. Spermiation: Spermatozoa released into lumen of tubules.
Hormonal control:
LH: Acts on Leydig cells → Testosterone secretion.
FSH: Stimulates Sertoli cells → Spermatogenesis & nutrients.
B. Oogenesis (In Females)
Starts before birth → baby girl born with 1–2 million primary oocytes.
Steps:
1. Oogonia (2n) → Mitosis → Primary oocytes (2n)
2. At puberty → Primary oocyte completes Meiosis I → Secondary oocyte (n) + Polar
body
3. Secondary oocyte released during ovulation → Meiosis II only completed after
fertilization → Ovum (n) + Polar body.
5. Menstrual Cycle (28 days)
Phases:
1. Menstrual Phase (Days 1–5):
Endometrium sheds → Bleeding.
Hormones low → No pregnancy → Corpus luteum degenerates.
2. Follicular Phase (Days 6–14):
FSH → Follicle growth; Estrogen ↑ → Endometrium regenerates.
3. Ovulation (Day 14):
LH surge → Rupture of Graafian follicle → Egg released.
4. Luteal Phase (15–28):
Corpus luteum → Progesterone ↑ → Endometrium thickens for
implantation.
If no fertilization → Progesterone ↓ → Menstruation starts.
6. Fertilization & Implantation
Fertilization:
o Occurs in ampulla of fallopian tube.
o Sperm binds to zona pellucida of egg → Acrosome releases enzymes → Sperm
nucleus enters → Fusion → Zygote (2n).
Implantation:
o Zygote → Cleavage → Morula → Blastocyst → Implants into endometrium (6–7 days
after fertilization).
7. Pregnancy & Embryonic Development
Placenta: Disc-like structure → Nutrient, gas, waste exchange between mother & fetus.
Hormones:
o hCG, hPL from placenta → Maintain pregnancy.
o Progesterone & Estrogen ↑ → Stop ovulation & maintain uterus.
Embryonic development:
o 1st trimester: Organs form (organogenesis).
o 2nd trimester: Growth of fetus.
o 3rd trimester: Maximum growth, fetal movements strong.
8. Parturition (Childbirth)
Fully developed fetus → Hormonal signals → Oxytocin release → Uterine contractions →
Expulsion of baby → Afterbirth (placenta expelled).
9. Lactation
After birth → Mammary glands produce colostrum (yellow milk rich in antibodies).
Prolactin: Milk production.
Oxytocin: Milk ejection (let-down reflex).