1. ADEOLA CAXTON-IDOWU
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
PROF. RASHIDAH ABDULLAH
The reproductive system or genital system is a system of organs within an
organism which work together for the purpose of reproduction.The major
organs of the human reproductive system include the external genitalia
(penis and vulva) as well as a number of internal organs including the
gamete producing gonads (testicles and ovaries). Diseases of the human
reproductive system are very common and widespread, particularly
communicable sexually transmitted diseases.
Human reproduction takes place as internal fertilization by sexual
intercourse. During this process, the erect penis of the male is inserted
into the female's vagina until the male ejaculates semen, which contains
sperm, into the female's vagina. The sperm then travels through the
vagina and cervix into the uterus or fallopian tubes for fertilization of the
ovum. Upon successful fertilization and implantation, gestation of the
foetus then occurs within the female's uterus for approximately nine
months, this process is known as pregnancy in humans. Gestation ends

2. with birth, the process of birth is known as labor. Labor consists of the
muscles of the uterus contracting, the cervix dilating, and the baby
passing out the vagina. Human's babies and children are nearly helpless
and require high levels of parental care for many years. One important
type of parental care is the use of the mammary glands in the female
breasts to nurse the baby.
The human male reproductive system is a series of organs located outside
of the body and around the pelvic region of a male that contribute
towards the reproductive process. The primary direct function of the
male reproductive system is to provide the male gamete or spermatozoa
for fertilization of the ovum.The major reproductive organs of the male
can be grouped into three categories. The first category is sperm
production and storage. Production takes place in the testes which are
housed in the temperature regulating scrotum, immature sperm then
travel to the epididymis for development and storage. The second
category are the ejaculatory fluid producing glands which include the
seminal vesicles, prostate, and the vas deferens. The final category are
those used for copulation, and deposition of the spermatozoa (sperm)

3. within the male, these include the penis, urethra, vas deferens, and
Cowper's gland.
Major secondary sexual characteristics includes: larger, more muscular
stature, deepened voice, facial and body hair, broad shoulders, and
development of an adam's apple. An important sexual hormone of males
is androgen, and particularly testosterone.
The human female reproductive system is a series of organs primarily
located inside of the body and around the pelvic region of a female that
contribute towards the reproductive process. The human female
reproductive system contains three main parts: the vagina, which acts as
the receptacle for the male's sperm, the uterus, which holds the
developing fetus, and the ovaries, which produce the female's ova. The
breasts are also a reproductive organ during the parenting stage of
reproduction.The vagina meets the outside at the vulva, which also
includes the labia, clitoris and urethra; during intercourse this area is
lubricated by mucus secreted by the Bartholin's glands. The vagina is
attached to the uterus through the cervix, while the uterus is attached to
the ovaries via the fallopian tubes. At certain intervals, typically

4. approximately every 28 days, the ovaries release an ovum, which passes
through the fallopian tube into the uterus. The lining of the uterus, called
the endometrium, and unfertilized ova are shed each cycle through a
process known as menstruation.Major secondary sexual characteristics
include: a smaller stature, a high percentage of body fat, wider hips,
development of mammary glands, and enlargement of breasts. Important
sexual hormones of females include estrogen and progesterone.
The production of gametes takes place within the gonads through a
process known as gametogenesis. Gametogenesis occurs when certain
types of germ cells undergo meiosis to split the normal diploid number of
chromosomes in humans (n=46) into haploids cells containing only 23
chromosomes.In males this process is known as spermatogenesis and
takes place only after puberty in the seminiferous tubules of the testes.
The immature spermatozoon or sperm are then sent to the epididymis
where they gain a tail and motility. Each of the original diploid germs
cells or primary spermatocytes forms four functional gametes which is
each capable of fertilization.In females gametogenesis is known as
oogenesis which occurs in the ovarian follicles of the ovaries. This

5. process does not produce mature ovum until puberty. In contrast with
males, each of the original diploid germ cells or primary oocytes will
form only one mature ovum, and three polar bodies which are not
capable of fertilization.
Work Cited
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reproductive_system
www.wakehealth.edu/besthealth/