Reproductive System grade-9-12 – summary & quiz
External male part
Testicles: glands that produce and store sperm
Penis: external organ used for sexual pleasure and for ejaculation of
semen – also used to urinate
Male Reproductive System
Description of each part of the body and its role:
Bladder: the organ that contains urine
Urethra: the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside
of the body; also carries semen, but not at the same time
Penis: external organ used for sexual pleasure and for the
ejaculation of semen; also used to urinate
Penis glans: rounded head of the penis that is exposed when the
penis is circumcised or erect
Foreskin: layer of skin that covers the glans (uncircumcised) that
can be retracted to expose the glans
Cavernous body: erectile tissue that forms the body of the penis;
swells with blood to create an erection
Rectum: last part of the intestines that contains stool before it is
removed from the body
Anus: sphincter attached to the rectum that passes stool or fecal
matter from the body
Testicles: glands that produce and store sperm
Epididymis: coiled segment where sperm is stored, matures, and is
transported from the testes to the vas deferens
Vas deferens: tube that carries sperm from the testes to the
urethra; sperm becomes mixed with secretions along the way and
forms semen
Scrotum: pocket of skin that contains the testes, epididymis, and
vas deferens
Seminal vesicle: provides the semen with clear liquid mucus with a
high sugar content
Prostate: reproductive gland shaped like a walnut; creates a thick
white fluid rich in protein which mixes with semen
Cowper's gland: releases fluid that mixes with semen
Sperm production
• Sperm production begins at the onset of puberty (around age 13).
• The testicles are responsible for making millions of sperm.
• The scrotum is used to protect the testicles by hardening to keep the
testicles closer to the body or softening to move them away from the
body, so that their temperature is 3ºC lower
Than the rest of the body. This then keeps the testicles at the right
temperature for sperm production.
• Sperm passes through the epididymis from the testicles and are stored
here for about 20 days until they mature.
Ejaculation
• The first sign that an individual can reproduce is having an erection that
produces ejaculation.
• Ejaculation is a release of sperm and other liquids from inside the male
reproductive tract that comes out through the penis.
• The process of ejaculation first begins with sexual arousal.
• The penis becomes hard and rises. The penis also becomes larger and
longer.
• This is called an erection.
• During ejaculation, the vas deferens carries the sperm to the urethra
and the sperm becomes mixed with secretions along the way and forms
semen.
• long the sperm’s journey to the urethra, the prostate gland produces a
white fluid rich in protein to help nourish semen outside of the body.
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• Sperm also make a pitstop to the seminal vesicle, which lies behind the
bladder and produces secretions that make up 60% of semen, and this
thick fluid nourishes the sperm.
• During ejaculation, the prostate gland enlarges to block urine from
leaving the bladder.
External Female part
Describe each part of the body and its role:
Vulva: includes the labia minora and labia majora; often mistakenly
called the vagina when, in Fact, the vagina is the canal that runs
from the opening of the vagina to the cervix
Clitoris: most sensitive part of the vulva and provides sexual
pleasure
Labia majora: outer fold of skin that functions to protect the
opening of the urethra and the vagina
Labia minora: inner fold of skin that functions to protect the
opening of the urethra and the vagina
Urethral orifice: opening that leads to the urethra and where urine
exits the body
Vaginal orifice: opening that leads to the vaginal canal; thin
membrane called the hymen surrounds the opening of the vagina
that varies from person to person and usually erodes over time
Anus: sphincter attached to the rectum that passes stool or fecal
matter from the body
Female Reproductive System
Describe each part of the body and its role:
Ovary: reproductive gland the size and shape of an almond that
produces eggs and hormones (estrogen and progesterone)
Fallopian tube: tubes that carry the egg from the ovary to the
uterus, where it can be fertilized by a sperm
Uterus: pear-shaped organ in the lower abdomen; it grows to allow
the fetus to develop
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Cervix: the lower, narrow part of the uterus; it forms a duct that
opens into the vagina
Vagina: muscular canal that runs from the cervix to the outside of
the body; it is used for sexual pleasure or to give birth to a child
Conception:
A pregnancy, which is the development of a baby in the uterus, can occur
when sperm is ejaculated into the vagina, and the sperm and egg
connect. Babies can also be conceived by having the sperm and egg
connect using assisted reproductive technologies.
Sperm transport
• Sperm (semen) leaves the penis and enters the vagina.
• If semen gets into the vagina, the sperm cells will swim up through the
vaginal canal, through the cervix, and towards the fallopian tubes.
• Sperm can live up to six days, waiting to join with an egg, before they
die.
Egg transport
• About halfway through the menstrual cycle, the ovaries release a
mature egg from its sac (the corpus luteum) into the fallopian tube — this
is called ovulation.
• The egg travels from the ovary down one of the fallopian tubes
(towards the uterus) where it will wait for a sperm cell, and can survive
for up to 24 hours. Fertilization may take place if sperm are present.
Fertilization
• When one sperm meets one egg and they join together, they begin to
develop into what is called an embryo. This is the process of fertilization.
• Fertilization usually takes place in a fallopian tube.
• The embryo then continues to develop and travels down the fallopian
tube and into the uterus.
Implantation
• If the embryo attaches to the lining of the uterus, this is called
implementation. This is when pregnancy officially begins.
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• When the embryo implants in the uterus, the body releases pregnancy
hormones that prevent the lining of the uterus from shedding. This is why
people do not get their period while pregnant.
• This lining is filled with nutrients and provides support to the
developing and growing embryo.
As weeks pass, the embryo develops into a fetus which continues to
grow in the uterus and the pregnancy usually lasts just over 9 months.
There are many reasons why some individuals are unable to conceive a
baby on their own (infertility, single parents, same-sex couples). Assisted
human reproduction can help these individuals build their families.
General information on menstruation that can be discussed prior to
explaining the menstrual cycle.
• The medical term for getting periods is menstruation or “menses“.
• Having periods is a sign of fertility, meaning someone can get pregnant
if they have sex.
• Periods usually start between the ages of 8 and 18 and last until
menopause.
• Periods may be irregular for the first few years, as it can take time for
the body to adjust. Eventually, it will settle into a schedule and periods
will become more regular. It is Important to note, however, that some
individuals will continue to experience irregular periods, and this is
normal. If someone has concerns, they should seek advice from a health
care professional.
• Periods generally last between 3-6 days.
The menstrual cycle
The menstrual cycle is the body’s way of preparing for a possible
pregnancy every month, which is the process of growing a baby. When a
pregnancy does not happen, a monthly period will occur.
There are four stages to the menstrual cycle :
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1st stage: Menstruation
The 1st day of the menstrual cycle starts on the 1st day of the period.
The period happens when the egg does not get fertilized by a sperm.
The uterus does not need the lining of extra blood and tissue to grow a
pregnancy, so it sheds the lining out of the vagina as menstrual blood.
The unfertilized egg (ovum) is also shed. The egg is not visible to the
naked eye.
2nd stage: Follicular
After the period ends, the uterine wall begins to thicken again due to
increasing hormone levels, to prepare for pregnancy. If a person becomes
pregnant, this nutrient rich lining provides support to the developing
embryo. About a week after the period ends, one of the eggs matures in
the ovaries.The body is getting ready to release an egg. Fun fact: At birth,
ovaries have an average of 400,000 immature eggs in them. Only 300 to
500 of these eggs will be released during menstrual cycles during their
lifetime.
3rd stage: Ovulation
About halfway through the menstrual cycle, one of the matured eggs will
be released from an ovary –This is called ovulation.
As the mature egg is released from the ovary, the egg travels from the
ovary down one of the Fallopian tubes and towards the uterus where
fertilization may take place, if sperm are present. It will wait for a sperm
cell up to 24 hours.If the egg is not fertilized, it disintegrates within 24
hours. Ovulation generally occurs on day 14 of the menstrual cycle, but
ovulation is influenced by many factors, and has been known to occur any
time during the cycle, even during the menstrual period. Lining of the
uterus continues to get thicker.
Stage 4: Luteal Stage
Because the egg was not met by a sperm the body will realize that there
is no pregnancy.The corpus luteum breaks down which certain hormone
levels to drop. This signals the uterine lining to break down, and therefore
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the cycle returns to stage one and a new menstrual cycle begins. The
cycle repeats itself monthly, or every 21-35 days.
---- Test your understanding
Here are 20 multiple-choice questions about the Reproductive System,
1. What is the primary function of the male reproductive system?
A. Producing eggs
B. Producing sperm
C. Nourishing the fetus
D. Regulating hormones
Answer: B
2. Where are sperm cells produced in the male body?
A. Urethra
B. Vas deferens
C. Seminal vesicles
D. Testes
Answer: D
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3. Which hormone is primarily responsible for the development of
male secondary sexual characteristics?
A. Estrogen
B. Progesterone
C. Testosterone
D. Insulin
Answer: C
4. What is the function of the female ovaries?
A. Produce urine
B. Produce eggs and hormones
C. Fertilize eggs
D. Transport blood
Answer: B
5. Where does fertilization typically occur?
A. Vagina
B. Ovary
C. Uterus
D. Fallopian tube
Answer: D
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6. Which structure carries sperm from the testes to the urethra?
A. Ureter
B. Vas deferens
C. Fallopian tube
D. Bladder
Answer: B
7. What is the role of the uterus?
A. Produces eggs
B. Filters waste
C. Site for fetal development
D. Produces sperm
Answer: C
8. What is the name of the male reproductive cell?
A. Egg
B. Ovum
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C. Sperm
D. Zygote
Answer: C
9. Which female reproductive structure releases eggs during
ovulation?
A. Uterus
B. Ovary
C. Vagina
D. Cervix
Answer: B
10. Which hormone helps maintain pregnancy?
A. Testosterone
B. Progesterone
C. Insulin
D. Adrenaline
Answer: B
11. What is menstruation?
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A. Egg fertilization
B. Hormone production
C. Shedding of the uterine lining
D. Ovulation
Answer: C
12. Which of the following is a sexually transmitted infection
(STI)?
A. Asthma
B. Influenza
C. Chlamydia
D. Diabetes
Answer: C
13. What is the function of the placenta during pregnancy?
A. Nourishes the sperm
B. Produces eggs
C. Provides nutrients and oxygen to the fetus
D. Prevents labor
Answer: C
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14. What is the structure that connects the fetus to the placenta?
A. Urethra
B. Fallopian tube
C. Umbilical cord
D. Vas deferens
Answer: C
15. What is the term for the union of sperm and egg?
A. Mitosis
B. Ovulation
C. Fertilization
D. Menstruation
Answer: C
16. What part of the male reproductive system produces seminal
fluid?
A. Urethra
B. Seminal vesicles
C. Bladder
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D. Penis
Answer: B
17. Which part of the female reproductive system is also known
as the birth canal?
A. Fallopian tube
B. Cervix
C. Ovary
D. Vagina
Answer: D
18. Which of these is not a function of the reproductive system?
A. Producing gametes
B. Digesting food
C. Producing hormones
D. Supporting fetal development
Answer: B
19. What structure controls the release of reproductive
hormones?
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A. Thyroid gland
B. Liver
C. Pituitary gland
D. Kidney
Answer: C
20. Which hormone triggers ovulation?
A. LH (Luteinizing Hormone)
B. FSH
C. Estrogen
D. Oxytocin
Answer: A
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