Biology — The Reproductive System

What is a gamete?

a reproductive or sex cell, meaning sperm in males and eggs in females

What is puberty?

the process where adolescents reach sexual and reproductive maturity

What is fertilisation?

when a male gamete and a female gamete fuse to form a new cell

What do the ovaries do?

produce and develop eggs, and make female hormones

What do the fallopian tubes do?

carry the egg to the uterus, and act as the site of fertilisation

What does the uterus do?

supports a developing embryo

What does the cervix do?

forms the passage between the uterus and the vagina

What does the vagina do?

receives the penis, acts as the birth canal, and passes menstrual flow

What do the testes do?

produce sperm and male hormones

What does the scrotum do?

supports the testes and regulates their temperature

What does the epididymis do?

stores mature sperm

What does the vas deferens do?

transports sperm from the epididymis

What does the prostate gland do?

secretes prostate fluid for semen and aids ejaculation

What do the seminal vesicles do?

contribute fluids to semen

What does the penis do?

transfers sperm into the female

How does puberty begin in both males and females?

the hypothalamus signals the pituitary gland to release FSH and LH

In females, what do FSH and LH trigger?

the ovaries to make oestrogen and progesterone, and to release mature eggs

In males, what does LH trigger?

the testes to make testosterone, which with FSH drives sperm development

What does testosterone cause besides sperm?

male secondary sex characteristics like a deeper voice and body hair

What is ovulation?

the release of an egg, which happens about every 28 days

What happens if an egg is fertilised?

it attaches to the wall of the uterus and embryonic development begins

What happens if an egg is not fertilised?

the egg and the uterine lining are shed from the body

Where does fertilisation actually occur?

in the fallopian tube, not the uterus or vagina

Who is born with reproductive sex cells?

only females, who are born with immature eggs, whereas males make sperm only after puberty

Is the female urethra connected to the vagina?

no, they are separate passageways