Understanding Human Reproduction and Sexuality
Classified in Biology
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Difference between primary and secondary sex characteristics:
The primary are the sexual organs which are born with and the secondary are the physical characteristics developed during puberty
Reproduction:
Reproduction is the creation of new individuals
Explain the journey of sperm to the ovum:
After being secreted by the penis through the urethra, the sperm go from the vagina to the uterus. Then, they divide into 2 groups and go to each fallopian tube. If there’s an ovum, one of these single sperm will fertilize it, and they will form a zygote, divide and become a morula and later a blastocyst. On the 7th day, the blastocyst implants in the endometrium
Structure:
-Gametes | Sperm | Ova |
-Gonads | Testes | Ovaries |
Reproductive tract | Epididymis, urethra | Fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina |
-Copulation organs | Penis | Vagina |
Accessory glands | Seminal vesicles, cowper’s glands, prostate | Mammary glands |
STRUCTURE | MEN | WOMEN |
Formation of the sperm:
Multiplication: Germ cells divide to produce spermatogonia
Growth: Spermatogonia grow and divide into spermatocytes
Maturation: Spermatocytes divide to produce spermatids
Differentiation: Spermatids transform into spermatozoa
Semen is the whitish fluid produced by the seminal vesicles that is ejaculated
Formation of the ova
The primary follicle is very small and immature, it contains primary oocyte
The mature is large and holds the secondary oocyte
During ovulation, the mature follicle ruptures and releases the ovum
After the follicle releases the ovum, it becomes yellow
Female reproductive cycles
Hormones: estrogens, progesterone
Ovarian cycle: follicular phase: FSH stimulates several follicles to produce estrogens
Ovulation: when LH increases, the mature follicle releases the ovum
Luteal phase: these cause changes in the endometrium
Uterine cycle
Menstruation: the thickened endometrium breaks down and bleeding occurs
Pre-ovulation phase: the endometrium regenerates
Post-ovulation: the endometrium continues growing to house the fertilized ovum. If the ovum is not fertilized, it dies. The sudden drop in this hormone causes menstruation to begin on the 28th day
Birth control methods
Symptoms-based: vaginal flow, the woman's daily basal temperature, ovulation pain are noted to avoid intercourse on fertile days
Calendar-based: the approximate day of ovulation is calculated to predict fertile days
Coitus interruptus: ejaculation occurs outside the vagina, but semen secretions before ejaculation can cause pregnancy
Sexually transmitted diseases:
Sexual contact: bacterial: syphilis and gonorrhea
Viral: genital herpes
Fungal: vaginal thrush
Skin lesions:
Mucus: from the genitals, mouth, rectum
Body fluids: such as semen, saliva
Genital area:
Whitish secretions, ulcerous lesions, wart-like lesions, pain, itching