REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

By: Joshua “The Jungle King” Murray &

Ryan “The Head” Westmoreland

The Testes Testes are two oval glands of about 4 centimeter long

and 2.5 centimeter large. The testes are suspended in the purses or scrotum. The testicle includes several sections (lobules), every

lobule being constituted of a canalicule séminifère, a long, thin tube and rolled up on himself.

The cells of the canalicules séminifères nearly produce the spermatozoids

The épididymes is the long and thin channels whose function is the storage of the spermatozoids newly formed. They are situated in the scrotum, along every testicle.

The Male Genital Tract The sperm is formed in the Testes through

meiosis. When the male reaches climax the sperm is sent

up through the Vas deferens, through the seminole vesicle and the prostate gland and then the urethra and ultimately sent out the penis.

The Female Genital Tract There are two uterine tubes, also called

Fallopian tubes or oviducts, one associated with each ovary.

The uterus is a muscular organ that receives the fertilized oocyte and provides an appropriate environment for the developing fetus.

The vagina is a fibromuscular tube, about 10 cm long, that extends from the cervix of the uterus to the outside. It is located between the rectum and the urinary bladder.

The Male Glands There are several glands that work together to

produce semen, or seminal fluid Sperm can live inside the female reproductive system

for up to 48 hours, and seminal fluid helps the sperm move around and stay nourished

The prostate gland makes a different fluid that helps the sperm move more quickly through the female reproductive system.

Another set of glands called bulbourethral or Cowper's glands makes a small amount of fluid that helps protect the sperm on its way through the urethra by neutralizing any leftover traces of acidic urine.

Semen Composition The bulk of semen is actually made up of a

substance which is called seminal plasma which is the fluid of the semen.

Around 60% of the volume of the ejaculate is made by the seminal vesicles, with the remainder being made in the prostate.

Seminal plasma contains things like salt ions, sugars, lipids (fats), hormones, amino acids, amines (protiens), enzymes and metals.

Its main purpose is to provide nutrients and protection for the spermatoza as it makes its way through the female reproductive system.

Semen Composition continued… Fructose is the main energy source for sperm

within the semen, and they rely on this soley for all their energy needs.

Semen production is actually very complex and is impacted by a large number of things such as hormone balances, nerves and nutrients.

The environment in the vagina is actually a fairly hostile one for sperm. It is acid, viscous and is protected by immune cells. The components of semen compenstate for this environment.

Ovaries The female gonad, the ovary is one of a pair of

reproductive glands in women. They are located in the pelvis, one on each side of the

uterus. Each ovary is about the size and shape of an almond. During each monthly menstrual cycle, an egg is released

from one ovary. The egg travels from the ovary through a fallopian tube to the uterus.

The ovaries are the main source of female hormones, which control the development of female body characteristics, such as the breasts, body shape, and body hair.

They also regulate the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

Meiosis Male meiosis creates sperm, while female meiosis

creates eggs. Male meiosis takes place in the testicles, while female

meiosis takes place in the ovaries. http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?

it=swf::535::535::/sites/dl/free/0072437316/120074/bio19.swf::Stages%20of%20Meiosis

Menstrual Cycle The menstrual cycle is the series of changes a

woman's body goes through to prepare for a pregnancy.

About once a month, the uterus grows a new lining (endometrium) to get ready for a fertilized egg .

During a menstrual period, a woman bleeds from her uterus (womb) from the vagina. This lasts anything from three to seven days.

Each period commences approximately every 28 days if the woman does not become pregnant during a given cycle.

Works Cited1. www.000health.com2. www.performer5facts.com3. www.daviddarling.info4. www.medterms.com