Human reproductive system is of two types- Male reproductive system and Female reproductive system. Reproduction is an essential biological process. The offspring produced shares similarities with both parents. The process of reproduction increases the number of individuals of a particular species. Reproduction is an essential life process and one of the most vital fundamental characteristics of life.
- Sexual reproduction is a complex process, which involves the process of gamete formation.
- It is followed by the process of gamete transfer, fertilization, the form of a zygote, and embryogenesis.
- Male and female reproductive systems are made up of various organs.
- Both of these systems requires different hormones to function.
- Function of male reproductive system is to develop and transfer sperm cells into the female body.
- Function of female reproductive system is to release egg, develop embryo, incubate the fetus and at last, deliver the baby.
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Key terms: Human Reproduction, Male reproductive system, Female reproductive system, Embryo, Reproduction
Human Reproduction
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Human beings produce offspring through sexual reproduction. The process involves the participation of male and female reproductive systems. In other words, this sexual mode of reproduction involves two individuals, i.e., one male and female, engaged in giving birth to another new individual.
They are viviparous organisms, and newborn babies are born by the fusion of gametes from each parent (regarded as sex cells). Consequently, the newborn baby shares the characteristics of both their father and mother. They are formed as a new separate individual, different from their respective parents, both physically, and genetically.
- Human beings bear different reproductive systems as per the gender.
- They exhibit sexual dimorphism.
- Males bear testes, while on the other hand, females have a pair of ovaries.
The video below explains this:
Human Reproductive System Detailed Video Explanation:
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Male Reproductive System
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Sperms are the male gametes in a male reproductive system. They are primarily unicellular in size, and bear a head like structure, middle piece, and also consist of a tail.
The Reproductive system in a male is comprised of the following.
Male Reproductive System
Testes
The testes are a pair of organs, possessing an oval shape (4 to 5 cm in length and 2 to 3 cm in breadth) masked in the scrotum. It is situated outside the abdominal cavity. The testes produce sperm, which helps in reproduction, and forms the male hormone testosterone as well.
Scrotum
The sac-like structure, that clings beneath and behind the penis, is called the scrotum. This organ is regarded as the house of testes. It generates a temperature, slightly lower than the body temperature by 2 to 2.5 degrees. It is an optimal temperature required to produce sperm.
Vas Deferens
The vas deferens is a muscular tube, via which the sperm goes to the urethra after it gets matured in a tube called the epididymis. It is present in the testes.
Accessory Glands
Another feature of the male reproductive system is the accessory glands. There are three different form of them, namely seminal vesicles, Cowper's gland, and prostate gland. There is a fluid called semen that is produced and secreted by these glands. This fluid significantly helps in nourishing the sperm and increasing its volume, assisting in lubrication and provides medium to float in.
Penis
The penis is the most important reproductive organ in males. It is shaped as a cylindrical tube and benefits as being both a reproductive and excretory organ. Through the penis, sperm is delivered to the vagina (female reproductive organ), at the time of sexual intercourse.
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Female Reproductive System
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The female reproductive system is the core location where the fertilized zygote develops into a fetus, and ultimately leads to the birth of offspring. Apart from that, the female reproductive system is essential for the formation of female sex hormones which help balance the reproductive cycle.
The female reproductive system consists of the following organs.
Figure 2: Female Reproductive System
Ovaries
Ovaries are the chief female sex organs responsible for the production of various hormones (primarily estrogen) and female gamete formation. Females have two ovaries, one each situated on both sides of the lower abdomen.
- Ovaries are around 2 to 4 cm in length and are connected to the uterus and pelvic wall.
- A thin epithelial lining coveres the ovary.
- The ovarian stroma enclosed within is divided into two zones - outer cortex and inner medulla.
- The inner cortex contains ovarian follicles in different stages of development.
- The ovarian follicle is also known as the basic unit of the female reproductive system.
Oviducts (Fallopian Tubes)
They are muscular tubes with funnel ended structures. They emerge from both sides of the superior corners of the uterus, connecting the ovaries. The fallopian tubes are covered by cilia which carries the ovum to the uterus. Every oviduct is divided into three anatomical regions - ampulla, isthmus, and infundibulum.
Uterus
The place where the embryo develops in a female reproductive system, is called the uterus. It is also known as the womb. The uterus is a muscular, inverted pear-shaped organ and an essential part of the female reproductive system. The uterus has three linings:
- Perimetrium - external layer; thin and membranous
- Myometrium - middle layer; thick, smooth and muscular
- Endometrium - Inner layer; glandular, sheds every month via menstrual cycle
Vagina
It is a muscular, elastic tube connecting the cervix. The vagina receives the penis during sexual intercourse and is responsible for the movement of the sperm to the fallopian tubes and uterus. During childbirth, the vagina acts as a birth canal from which the baby is delivered outside the female body.
Functions of Female Reproductive System
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Producing a new offspring largely depends on the proper functioning of the female reproductive system. It primarily has two major functions.
- It produces the female gamete called egg or ovum.
- It gives nutrition, and protects the embryo in its developmental process.
Ovulation
The releasing of the eggs from the ovaries is called ovulation. At the time of puberty, the eggs start to mature in the ovaries. Any one of the two ovaries release ovum every month, which takes place every 28 to 30 days. This whole process is called ovulation.
If the ovum is successfully fertilized, it moves to the uterus for implantation. The zygote then forms a fetus. If the ovum is not fertilized then it degenerates within 24 hours and gets secreted from the body along with the endometrial layer of the uterus. This process is called menstruation
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Things to Remember
- Human reproduction is a fundamental process for producing new individuals.
- It is a sexual mode of reproduction.
- It involves participation of male and female body.
- Male reproductive organs are testes, scrotum, penis and prostate gland.
- Female reproductive organs are uterus, ovary, vagina and oviduct.
- Penis is a route for intercourse as well as excretion.
- Vagina serves as a route for intercource and child delivery.
Sample Questions
Ques. What is reproduction? (1 mark)
Ans. Reproduction is an important fundamental and biological process. Reproduction is of two types: Sexual and asexual. In humans, only sexual reproduction is possible while a plant can have both mechanisms.
Ques. How do humans reproduce? (1 mark)
Ans. Humans do reproduce by sexual interaction. It involves fusion of sperm and egg that further leads to fertilization and fetus development in the womb.
Ques. What is fertilization? (1 mark)
Ans. The male and haploid female gametes fuse and form a diploid zygote. it is called the process of fertilization.
Ques. Who does the work of activating and nourishing the sperm? (1 mark)
Ans. There is a fluid called the semen, which does the work of activating and nourishing the sperm. It also assists in transporting the sperm from male to female reproductive organs.
Ques. How does the sexual and asexual reproduction process differ from each other? (2 mark)
Ans. Sexual and asexual reproduction both are distinct modes of reproduction. Sexual reproduction occurs in multicellular organisms, including humans, higher plants, and animals, and asexual reproduction takes place in lower invertebrates, and simpler living species, including bacteria, amoeba, and hydra.
Ques. Write down the name of male reproductive organs. (3 marks)
Ans. Male reproductive system possess following prgans.
- Testes
- Scrotum
- Prostate glands
- Seminal vessicles
- Cowper’s gland
- Penis
- Vas deferens
Ques. What is ovulation? (2 marks)
Ans. An ovulation is the process of releasing ovum from ovary. Any one of the two ovaries release one ovum every month in female body. Ovum becomes the egg if gets fertilized by sperm and moves to uterus for zygot development. If it does not get fertilized, it degenrates after 24 hours and leads to menstruation bleeding for 3 to 5 days.
Ques. Write a note on male reproductive organ (3 marks)
Ans. Male reproductive organs are testes, scrotum, accessory glands and penis.
A pair of testes produce sperms that fertilizes an egg. Scrotum ensures the optimal temperature required for the sperms and accessory glands like prostate gland, seminal vessicle and cowper’s gland helps in producing semen. A penis is a main reproductive organ in males. It serves as rooute for excretion as well as intercourse.
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