The Reproductive System Essay -- Papers

The Reproductive System The male and female reproductive systems are different with both having specific roles. The Male Reproductive System ============================ The main structures of the male reproductive system are the testes, the penis and several glands. Male sperm carries genetic information and are produced continually from the start of puberty. The primary spermatocyte divides by meiosis make two secondary spermatocytes and then four, which have half the amount of chromosomes as the mother cell (46 in humans) therefore sperm (spermatozoa) has 23 chromosomes (genetic information). Sperm produced in the testes in a sac called the scrotum is 3Â °C cooler than normal body temperature as they hang down between the legs. Sperm does not develop well at 37Â °C. Seminiferous tubule coiled tightly in the testes make up several hundred compartments and here sperm cells are produced by the sertoli cells. It takes two months for the full production of a sperm cell and several hundred million are made each day. Those that are not ejaculated are broken down and absorbed into the body. Testosterone is secreted from cells in the testes. All cells in the testes for normal function require hormones, these are a combination of pituitary hormones called FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone). After its manufacture sperm is delivered to a long coiled tube called the epididymis where it matures and stays there for at least 18 hours before their mobility develops. Once this has taken place sperm then passes along to another tube called the vas deferens where it is stored. During intercours... ...enta, the lifeline between mother and offspring. Through this organ the foetus gains all its needs and disposes of all its waste. Extensive changes occur in almost all of the systems in a woman's body during pregnancy. If conception does not occur preparations, in the form of a series of changes each month, are abandoned. The materials that are produced each month are scrapped and a fresh cycle begins, preparing again for conception. This regular sequence is termed the menstrual cycle because of the discharge of fluid (menses) occurring via the vagina at regular intervals. The events of this cycle are divided into four stages: - 1 Menstrual 2 Follicular 3 Ovulatory 4 Luteal Phase 3, which is mid cycle, is the time that the ovum is released from the ovary (this is what is known as ovulation).