Year 8 Biology: Reproduction Revision

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering human and plant reproduction, development, the menstrual cycle, and contraception based on the Year 8 Biology revision pack.

Adolescence

The period of development between childhood and adulthood. It includes physical, emotional and social changes.

Puberty

The stage when hormones cause the body to develop sexual maturity and reproductive capability.

Hormone

A chemical messenger carried in the blood that changes the activity of target cells or organs.

Oestrogen

A hormone involved in the menstrual cycle and the development of female secondary sexual characteristics.

Testosterone

A hormone involved in sperm production and the development of male secondary sexual characteristics.

Secondary sexual characteristics

Changes that develop during puberty but are not the reproductive organs themselves, such as voice deepening or breast development.

Testes

Male reproductive organs that produce sperm cells and testosterone.

Scrotum

A skin sac that holds the testes outside the main body cavity and helps keep them cooler than body temperature.

Sperm duct (vas deferens)

A tube that carries sperm from the testes area towards the urethra.

Glands (Male Reproductive)

Structures that add fluids to sperm to form semen; these fluids help support sperm.

Urethra

A tube that carries urine out of the body and, in males, also carries semen during ejaculation.

Penis

An external organ that delivers semen into the vagina during sexual intercourse.

Ovaries

Female reproductive organs that produce and release egg cells and make hormones including oestrogen and progesterone.

Oviducts / fallopian tubes

Tubes that carry an egg towards the uterus; fertilisation usually happens here.

Uterus / womb

Muscular organ where an embryo implants and a baby develops during pregnancy.

Uterus lining

A blood-rich lining that thickens during the menstrual cycle and is shed during menstruation if pregnancy does not occur.

Cervix

The muscular opening at the lower end of the uterus, leading to the vagina.

Vagina

A muscular canal connecting the cervix to the outside of the body.

Menstrual cycle

A repeating series of hormonal changes in the ovaries and uterus that prepares the body for a possible pregnancy.

Menstruation / period

The shedding of the uterus lining, which leaves the body through the vagina with blood and tissue.

Ovulation

The release of an egg cell from an ovary.

Progesterone

A hormone that helps maintain the uterus lining after ovulation.

Reproduction

The biological process by which organisms produce offspring.

Gamete

A specialised sex cell used in sexual reproduction. In humans, sperm and egg cells each usually contain $23$ chromosomes.

Sperm cell

The male gamete, adapted to move and deliver its genetic material to an egg.

Egg cell (ovum)

The female gamete, containing genetic material and nutrients for early development.

Fertilisation

The joining of the nuclei of a sperm and an egg cell, combining genetic information and forming a zygote.

Zygote

The single cell formed at fertilisation; it divides repeatedly as development begins.

Embryo (human)

An early developing organism. In humans, the embryonic stage lasts through the first eight weeks after fertilisation.

Foetus

The developing human from about nine weeks after fertilisation until birth.

Implantation

When an early embryo attaches to the lining of the uterus.

Placenta

An organ that allows oxygen and nutrients to pass from the mother's blood to the developing baby and waste products to pass back, with blood supplies not normally mixing directly.

Umbilical cord

Connects the foetus to the placenta and contains blood vessels that carry substances between them.

Amniotic fluid

Liquid around the developing baby that cushions it and helps protect it.

Contraception

Methods used to prevent pregnancy.

Barrier method

A method that physically blocks sperm from reaching an egg.

Condom

A barrier worn on the penis or placed inside the vagina that helps prevent pregnancy and reduces the risk of many STIs when used correctly.

Hormonal contraception

Methods that use hormones to prevent pregnancy, for example by stopping ovulation or making it harder for sperm to reach an egg.

Contraceptive pill

A pill containing hormones; different types work in different ways, including preventing ovulation.

Implant

A small rod placed under the skin that releases a hormone to prevent pregnancy.

IUD / IUS

Small devices placed in the uterus; types work in different ways, such as using copper or releasing a hormone.

Natural methods

Contraceptive methods that estimate fertile days or use fertility signs to avoid sex or use protection during fertile times.

Petal

A flower part that is often brightly coloured or scented to attract pollinators.

Sepal

A leaf-like structure that protects the flower bud before it opens.

Anther

Part of the stamen that produces pollen grains.

Filament

The stalk that supports the anther.

Stamen

The male reproductive part of a flower; made of anther and filament.

Stigma

Sticky or otherwise adapted surface of a flower that receives pollen.

Style

Structure that connects the stigma to the ovary; a pollen tube can grow through it.

Ovary (flower)

Contains ovules and develops into fruit after fertilisation in many flowering plants.

Ovule

Contains the female sex cell; after fertilisation it develops into a seed.

Carpel / pistil

The female reproductive structure of a flower, typically including stigma, style and ovary.

Nectary

Produces nectar, which can attract animal pollinators.

Pollen grain

Carries the male reproductive cells in flowering plants.

Pollination

The transfer of pollen from an anther to a stigma of a flower of the same species.

Plant fertilisation

The process where the male nucleus from a pollen grain joins with the nucleus of the female sex cell in an ovule.

Pollinator

An animal, such as a bee or butterfly, that transfers pollen between flowers.

Pollen tube

A tube that grows from a pollen grain through the style towards an ovule, carrying the male nucleus.

Seed

A structure containing a plant embryo and a food supply or food-storage tissue, protected by a seed coat.

Fruit

In many flowering plants, the mature ovary that surrounds and helps protect or disperse seeds.

Seed dispersal

The movement of seeds away from the parent plant, reducing competition and helping plants spread.

Germination

The process in which a seed begins to grow into a new plant when conditions are suitable.

Embryo (seed)

The young plant inside a seed.

Seed coat

The protective outer covering of a seed.

Cotyledon / food store

A seed structure or tissue that stores or supplies food for the developing embryo, depending on the plant.

Radicle

The embryonic root, usually the first part to emerge during germination.

Plumule

The embryonic shoot that develops into the stem and leaves.