Body Function - Reproduction

Year 10 Human Biology 2009

Week Two
Course Content
 General process of reproduction
 Terminology – gamete, zygote,
fertilisation, implantation etc
 Foetal milestones
 Milestones in human development
to be able to reproduce
Activities
 Video – New Life
 Reproductive systems worksheet
 Foetal milestones jigsaw
Terminology - Gametes
 Gametes are the sex cells of
humans
 Gametes are produced in the
gonads which are the sex organs
 Male gametes are called sperm and
these are produced in the testes
 Female gametes are called ova
(ovum is singular) and these are
produced in the ovaries
Terminology - Gamete v Zygote
 Humans reproduce sexually
 A male gamete joins with a female
gamete at fertilisation
 The two gametes form a zygote
 Sex cells are produced by a process
called gametogenesis
Terminology - Gametogenesis

REMEMBER: Humans have 46

chromosomes (23 pairs)

 Mitosis is the process of cell division

 Mitosis enables genetically identical
cells to be reproduced
 All cells arising from mitosis contain
46 chromosomes
Gametogenesis
 This is another form of cell division that
only occurs with sex cells

 It is also known as meiosis

 Meiosis results in the production of four

cells
 Each cell has half the number of
chromosomes that were originally present
General Processes of
Reproduction

 Revise Male and Female

reproductive systems
 Fertilisation – function of sperm
 Fertilisation – function of ova
 Implantation
 Embryonic development
 Foetal Milestones
Male Reproductive System
On the diagram given, label the following
features:
 Penis – include the glans penis
 Testes
 Scrotum
 Seminal vesicle
 Vas deferens
 Bladder
 Urethra
 Prostate gland
 Epididymis
Female Reproductive System
On the diagram given, label the following
structures:
 Uterus
 Ovaries
 Fallopian Tubes
 Vagina
 Cervix
 Bladder
 Clitoris
 Urethra
 Labia – minora and majora if possible
Fertilisation - Sperm
 Sperm travel from the epididymis to
the urethra via the vas deferens
 Sperm is ejaculated from the penis
into the vagina
 Sperm is deposited at the entrance
of the uterus
 Sperm travels through the cervix
and uterus and into the uterine
tubes
Fertilisation - Sperm
 Within a few minutes the sperm reach the
upper portions of the uterine tubes
 Muscular motion of the vagina assist the
sperm to move up the tubes
 Sperm is viable for 72 hours after
ejaculation
 Fertilisation may occur if sperm is
deposited 72 hours prior or up to 24
hours after ovulation
Fertilisation - Ova
 One ovum matures and is surrounded by
a layer of follicle cells
 These cells are held together by acid that
can only be broken down by sperm
 The mature egg moves down the uterine
tubes towards the uterus
 A mature egg is capable of being fertilised
for 12-24 hours after ovulation
Fertilisation
 Thousands of
sperm break down
acid and follicles

 One sperm enters

the egg
Fertilisation - Ova
 Several thousand sperm can break
down the acid and loosen the layer
of follicle cells
 Only one sperm can enter the egg
 The 23 chromosomes from the
sperm meet with the 23
chromosomes from the egg
 A zygote is the name for the
fertilised egg
Implantation
 Fertilisation can only occur in the uterine
tubes
 Zygote begins to divide rapidly as it
moves towards the uterus
 After 3-4 days the zygote reaches the
uterus
 After about 7-8 days the zygote (now
called a blastocyst) attaches to the lining
of the uterus in the endometrium
Implantation – Dividing Zygote
Implantation
 The endometrium give the blastocyst
nourishment so that it can keep growing
 Menstruation is the breakdown of the
endometrium
 The blastocyst needs the endometrium to
survive and develop
 High levels of oestrogen and progesterone
maintain the endometrium
Implantation – Passage of Zygote
Embryonic Development
 The embryonic period is the first
two months of pregnancy
 All the adult organ systems are in
place by the end of the embryonic
period
 1 month – 4mm long embryo
 4th week – thirty pairs of muscle
tissue (will form spinal column)
Embryonic Development
 5th week – arm and leg bud begin to
appear
 8th week – embryo takes on a
human form with features such as
eyes, jaw, nose, ears, hands, feet
Embryonic Development
 Seven week old
embryo

Six week old Eight week

terminated old embryo
embryo
Foetal Development
 From week 9 until birth
 Weeks 9 to 12 – foetus doubles in
length, hair, fingernails and toenails
appear, upright posture
 4th month – foetus about 18cm long
and 100g, fingerprints appear,
moving around, heart rate of about
120-160 beats per minute
Foetal Development
 5th month – 25cm long and 300g,
kicking around
 24 weeks – 27-35cm long and 565-
680g, respiratory function begins,
eyebrows and eyelashes, digestive
functions begin
 28 weeks – 38cm and 1000g, brain
enlarged, testes descend into
scrotum
 32 weeks – 45cm and 2200g
 Foetal Development
 Twelve week old
foetus

Twenty week
old foetus
56 day / 14 week
old foetus
Foetal Development
 Week 40 – full term
 Approx. 50cm long and 3300g
 Eyes open, nose formed, head in
proportion, reflexes such as
grasping and sucking
 Week 38 to 40 – slow growth,
placenta begins to fail, baby
engages, antibodies cross placenta
from mother to baby
Human Milestones for Reproduction

 Males
 Increase in size of testes and scrotum
 Elongation and thickening of penis
 Development of pubic hair
 First ejaculation
 Growth spurt
 Enlargement of larynx and voice change
 Facial hair, body hair
Males - Puberty
Human Milestones for Reproduction

 Females
 Growth and development of ovaries,
uterus and vagina
 Development of breast bud
 Development of pubic hair
 Widening of hips
 Growth spurt; fat deposits on hips and
breasts
 First menstruation
Puberty - Females
Sequence of Processes
 Meiosis to produce gametes
 Ejaculation (male)
 Ovulation (female)
 Fertilisation
 Implantation
 Growth and Development in utero
for 40 weeks
 Birth
End of Reproduction Lecture
 Exam review focus

1. Role and passage of sperm

2. Role and passage of ova
3. Terminology – worksheet focus
4. Foetal milestones – general/main
5. Human development milestones
for reproduction
Faults in Sequencing
 Incorrect hormonal levels
 Incorrect cell division
 Interruption to cell division
([Link])
 Chromosome number incorrect
 Nutrition of the mother
 Alcohol or drug intake by mother
 Defective genetic material
Faults in Sequencing
 “Thalidomide
babies” born in the
50’s were
deformed as a
result of the drug
“Thalidomide”
messing up the
development of
the foetus
 Arms were mostly
affected
Genetics and Environment
 Which factors have more influence
on the development of a new
individual?

 Genetics involves traits inherited

through the DNA of both parents (to
be covered in more depth in the
next section)
Environmental Influences
 Environmental influences are all
those that are not part of the
genetic make-up of an individual

 Some examples include:

 Smoking, drugs, peer group, socio-
economic status, culture, nutrition,
family, lifestyle in general
Interaction between Inheritance and
Environment
 Top sportsperson  Tall, muscular and
play all kinds of
sport with friends
 Astronaut
 Intelligent and live
in Florida, USA
 Supermodel  Very attractive
and outgoing –
loves attention
 Concert pianist  Have long fingers
and played piano
since 4 years old
Meiosis
 Meiosis 1
Meiosis