UNIT 7:HUMAN REPRODUCTION
INDEX
1. Human reproduction
1.2. Puberty and adolescence
2. The male reproductive system
3. The female reproductive system
4. The ovarian and uterine cycles
5. The formation of a new individual
6. Sterility and assisted reproduction
7. Contraception
8. Reproduction and health
[Link] reproduction
Reproduction is the vital function by which all living things produce new
organisms of the same sspp to avoid extinction.
Humans reproduce sexually:
2 parents are needed, a female that provides the ovum and a male
that provides the sperm cell
Fertilisation: the male and female gametes join and a zygote is
formed
The zygote transforms into an embryo that will develop into a new
individual
Sex and sexuality
An individual’s sex is a biological condition. You are either a female or a
male
Sexuality is a broader concept and it includes biological aspects as well
as emotions, feelings and experiences that might lead, or not, to
reproduction.
Puberty and adolescence
Starts when you are 11 years old and lasts until you are 18. The first stage
is puberty. It marks the beginning of an individual's reproductive capacity.
The body undergoes a series of changes triggered by sex hormones that
include:
-body growth
-reproductive organs (primary sexual characteristics) develop and
become functional. Females menstruate and males ejaculate for the first
time
-secondary sexual characteristics, which distinguish males from females,
develop
Psychological changes occur: changes in personality, need for
independence,, sexual attraction begins...All these changes may lead to
family conflicts and emotional crisis
Secondary sexual characteristics in
females
Sex organs become larger
Breasts grow
Hips widen
Waist becomes thinner
Hair grows
Secondary sexual characteristics in
males
Penis and testis grow
Shoulder broaden
They gain muscle mass
Voice drops
Hair grows in the chest. face, armpits and pubic area,
The male reproductive system
Functions:
Produces male gametes (sperm cells)
Synthesises male sex hormones
Introduces sperm cells in the female reproductive system
Parts:
Testes, protected by the scrotum and made up of seminiferous
tubules
Epididymis: where sperm cells mature
Vasa deferentia: connects the epididymis with the urethra
Accessory glands:seminal vesicle, prostate,Cowper’s gland
Penis: has erectile tissue and it’s protected by the foreskin
spermatozoa
They are the male gametes
They are flagellated cells that carry the father’s genetic information.
spermatozoa formation.
spermatogenesis
Where: in the seminiferous tubules where germ cells multiply
3. The female reproductive system
It produces female gametes (ova plural, ovum singular)
Synthesises female hormones (oestrogens and progesterone)
Provides an appropriate place for fertilisation and the development of
the embryo
Menstruation cycle
Parts of the female reproductive
system
The ovaries produce female sex hormones (oestrogens and
progesterone) and ova.
The genital tracts:
- The Fallopian tubes: 2 Tubes that connect the ovaries to the
uterus. Fertilisation occurs here.
- Uterus or womb: hollow muscular organ where the embryo
develops
- Cervix: lower part of the uterus that connects the uterus to the
vagina.
- Vagina: where sperm cells are deposited
External genitalia=vulva: labia majora and minora and the clitoris.
Ova. structure
Ova or female gametes are “large”, spherical and immobile cells. They
contain the hereditary information from the mother.
ova formation. oogenesis
Stage 1: Females are born with 400.000 immature ova surrounded by
other cells (follicles).
Stage 2: It starts when females reach puberty. In each menstruation
(28 days cycle) one follicle matures and an ovum is released (ovulation)
ready for fertilisation. Women ovulate once a month until menopause.
menstruation
Includes a series of changes that simultaneously occur in the ovary and
in the uterus to prepare for pregnancy. It occurs over a period of 28
days and it’s regulated by a series of female sex hormones. It consists
of the ovarian cycle and the uterine cycle.
The ovarian cycle
It is divided into two stages:
Growth of the follicle: the follicle matures and the ovum is released
(ovulation).
Formation of the corpus luteum: after ovulation, the rest of the
follicle transforms into the corpus luteum and secretes progesterone.
The uterine cycle. Menstruation
The endometrium thickens to provide a place for the embryo to develop
if it is fertilised. It lasts 28 days and can be divided into 3 phases:
Menstruation: the endometrium is very thick and vascularised (it
receives a lot of blood)is expelled through the vagina if the ovum is not
fertilised.
Endometrium regrowth: half way through the cycle the endometrium
begins to regrow.
The endometrium thickens and becomes vascularised: the
endometrium is prepared to receive a fertilised ovum, otherwise a new
cycle starts.
The hormonal regulation of the cycle
Both cycles are regulated by hormones:
Follicular phase: FSH secreted by the pituitary gland. It stimulates
the development of a follicle and the production of oestrogens in the
ovaries. Oestrogens cause the endometrium to thicken and trigger the
secretion of LH.
LH: triggers ovulation (day 14)
Lutheal phase: the corpus luteum secretes more oestrogens and
progesterone which thickens the endometrium. This inhibits the
pituitary gland (negative feedback).
If the ovum is not fertilised the corpus luteum disintegrates end stops
producing hormones. Menstruation occurs (the endometrium is
released)
5. The formation of a new individual
Embryonic development: lasts 9 months and includes fertilisation,
cleavage, implantation, formation of placenta and amniotic sac and
complete development of the embryo.
Fertilisation:the ovum and the sperm cell join and form a new cell
called zygote. It occurs in the fallopian tubes.
Cleavage: first divisions of the zygote. As it travels down the uterus
the zygote divides and the embryo is formed.
Implantation: the embryo arrives in the uterus and imbeds in the
endometrium.
Embryonic development (II)
Formation of the placenta:organ that nourishes the embryo, provides
gas exchange, eliminates wastes...It links the embryo to its mother
through the umbilical cord.
Formation of the amniotic sac: pouch filled with amniotic fluid where
the embryo develops.
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Embryonic development (III)
First trimester: the majority of the embryo’s organs have been
formed. From week it we call it foetus.
Second trimester: the foetus skeleton ossifies, starts to move,
acquires different reflexes (swallowing, sucking its thumb…)
Third trimester: the foetus gains weight and finishes the development
of the organs
Birth
Occurs when the new individual is expelled from its mother’s body. It
includes three phases:
1. Dilation: the cervix opens from 1 to 10cm
2. Expulsion by contractions of the uterus
3. Afterbirth the placenta and foetal membranes are expelled
6. Sterility and assisted reproduction
Sterility: inability to have children that affect both females and males.
Assisted reproduction
They are artificial techniques that try to solve infertility problems. The
most common techniques are:
Artificial insemination
In vitro fertilisation
7. Contraception
How to prevent pregnancy?
Natural methods: Not reliable
Basal body temperature: measuring the females temperature
throughout the cycle at rest, in the morning.
Ogino: studying the the woman’s menstrual cycle.
Artificial methods
Barrier methods: Prevent semen from entering the uterus.
Atificial methods
Hormonal or chemical: They don’t prevent STDs
Spermicides: they kill spermatozoa. Usually used with condoms or
diaphragm.
Hormonal: Drugs that prevent ovulation e.g. pill
Artificial methods
Implantation inhibitors:
Prevent the embryo from embedding in the endometrium.
IUD (intrauterine devices)
Morning after pill
Artificial methods
Surgical methods:
Tubal ligation (in females): fallopian tubes are sealed or blocked.
Vasectomy (in males):Sealing off the vas deferens.
8. reproduction
and health