Human Reproductive System Audio SAQs

Human Reproductive System Overview

• Primary sexual characteristics refer to the presence of male and female reproductive organs.
• Secondary sexual characteristics emerge at puberty and distinguish sexes without affecting reproduction.

Male Reproductive System

• Secondary sexual characteristics in males include:
  • Enlargement of the larynx (deepening of voice)
  • Development of pubic and facial hair
  • Broadening of shoulders
• Epididymis functions to mature and store sperm.
• Urethra carries urine and sperm out of the body.
• The penis serves to deposit sperm into the female reproductive tract.
• Sperm are haploid, containing half the genetic material.
• High mitochondrial count in sperm provides energy needed to swim towards the egg.

Female Reproductive System

• Primary hormones in females include progesterone and estrogen.
• Examples of female secondary sexual characteristics:
  • Enlargement of breasts
  • Production of pubic hair
  • Widening of pelvis
• Fallopian tubes transport the egg to the uterus and are the site of fertilization.
• Endometrium is the uterine lining where implantation occurs.
• The vagina allows for sperm entry and acts as the birth canal.

Hormones and Menstrual Cycle

• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is produced by the pituitary gland.
• Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum.
• The menstrual cycle typically lasts 28 days, regulated by estrogen, progesterone, FSH, and luteinizing hormone (LH).
• The fertile period is when fertilization is most likely.
• Survival time for sperm is 0-7 days, whereas egg survival is 0-48 hours.

Menstrual Disorders

• Endometriosis is a disorder characterized by endometrial tissue outside the uterus; treatments include pain medication and hysterectomy.

Gametes Comparison

• Male gametes (sperm) outnumber female gametes (eggs); males produce sperm continuously while females produce eggs monthly.
• Egg cells are larger, while sperm cells are significantly smaller.

Reproductive Processes

• Arousal is when the penis becomes erect and lubrication occurs in the vagina.
• Copulation is the act of penile insertion into the vagina.
• Fertilization involves the fusion of sperm and egg nuclei, resulting in a diploid zygote.
• Implantation is the embedding of a fertilized egg into the uterine lining.

Embryonic Development

• The three germ layers are ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm.
• Ectoderm develops into skin, nails, hair, and the nervous system.
• Mesoderm gives rise to muscles, skeleton, excretory, respiratory, circulatory, and reproductive systems.
• Major organs and sex organs develop by the 6th week of pregnancy.
• The gender of the fetus can be identified by the 12th week.

Stages of Birth

• Birth occurs in three stages: labor, parturition, and afterbirth.

Contraception and Infertility

• Contraception involves preventing conception; examples include:
  • Natural: abstinence or avoiding intercourse around ovulation.
  • Chemical: contraceptive pill or spermicide.
  • Surgical: vasectomy or surgical sterilization of fallopian tubes.
• Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive naturally.
• Male infertility often results from low sperm count, with potential causes including drug/alcohol abuse and stress.
• Female infertility can stem from various factors not detailed here.

This quiz explores key concepts of the human reproductive system through short answer questions. Participants will answer questions about primary and secondary sexual characteristics, as well as examples of changes that occur during puberty. It's a great way to test your understanding of human biology!