Reproductive system
4. Reproductive system - Focus and vocab sheet
Monday, 31 August 2026
5:45 PM
Identify and label a diagram of the key structures of the female and male reproductive systems.
Describe the function of the key structures of the male and female reproductive systems.
Ovary | Produces eggs and the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. |
Fallopian tube | Carries the egg towards the uterus and is the usual site of fertilisation. |
Uterus | Where a fertilised egg can implant and develop. |
Vagina | Passage connecting the uterus to the outside of the body. |
Identify male and female gametes and describe how they relate to their specific function of fertilisation
| Fusion of an egg and sperm. |
| Female reproductive cell. |
|
|
Recognise that puberty is facilitated by various hormones in both males and females
Describe the roles of LH and FSH hormones in the female menstrual cycle
FSH | Stimulates maturation of an ovarian follicle/egg. |
LH | Triggers ovulation. |
Summarise the female menstrual cycle
Menstrual cycle | Cycle involving maturation and release of an egg and changes to the uterine lining. |
FSH | Stimulates maturation of an ovarian follicle/egg. |
LH | Triggers ovulation. |
Follicle | Structure in the ovary containing a developing egg. |
Ovulation | Release of a mature egg from an ovary. |
Oestrogen | Causes the uterine lining to repair and thicken. |
Progesterone | Maintains the thickened uterine lining after ovulation. |
Uterine lining / endometrium | Lining of the uterus that thickens in preparation for possible pregnancy. |
Key Structures & Functions
Ovary: Produces eggs, oestrogen, and progesterone.
Fallopian tube: Carries the egg to the uterus; primary site of fertilisation.
Uterus: Site where a fertilised egg implants and develops.
Vagina: Canal connecting the uterus to the outside of the body.
Gametes & Fertilisation
Gametes: Reproductive cells (egg/ovum
Sorry, I didn't get that. Can you try again?
Sorry, I didn't get that. Can you try again?
Key Structures & Functions
Ovary: Produces eggs, oestrogen, and progesterone.
Fallopian tube: Carries the egg to the uterus; primary site of fertilisation.
Uterus: Site where a fertilised egg implants and develops.
Vagina: Canal connecting the uterus to the outside of the body.
Gametes & Fertilisation
Gametes: Reproductive cells (egg/ovum in females, sperm in males).
Fertilisation: Fusion of male and female gametes.
Menstrual Cycle & Hormonal Control
FSH: Stimulates follicle and egg maturation in the ovary.
LH: Triggers ovulation (release of mature egg).
Oestrogen: Causes repair and thickening of the uterine lining (endometrium).
Progesterone: Maintains the thickened uterine lining after ovulation.
Key Structures & Functions
Ovary: Produces eggs, oestrogen, and progesterone.
Fallopian tube: Carries the egg to the uterus; primary site of fertilisation.
Uterus: Site where a fertilised egg implants and develops.
Vagina: Canal connecting the uterus to the outside of the body.
Gametes & Fertilisation
Gametes: Reproductive cells (egg/ovum in females, sperm in males).
Fertilisation: Fusion of male and female gametes.
Menstrual Cycle & Hormonal Control
FSH: Stimulates follicle and egg maturation in the ovary.
LH: Triggers ovulation (release of mature egg).
Oestrogen: Causes repair and thickening of the uterine lining (endometrium).
Progesterone: Maintains the thickened uterine lining after ovulation.
1. Key Structures of Reproductive Systems
1.1 Female Reproductive System
Ovary: Primary female reproductive organ. Produces eggs (ova) and secretes key female hormones: oestrogen and progesterone.
Fallopian Tube (Oviduct): Ciliated pathway that transports the egg toward the uterus; serves as the primary site of fertilisation.
Uterus (Womb): Muscular organ lined with a vascular tissue layer called the endometrium, where a fertilised egg implants and develops throughout pregnancy.
Cervix: The narrow lower neck of the uterus connecting to the vagina, which secretes mucus to assist or restrict sperm entry.
Vagina: Muscular canal connecting the cervix to the body's exterior; acts as the birth canal and receives sperm during sexual intercourse.
1.2 Male Reproductive System
Testes (Testicles): Male reproductive glands housed in the scrotum that produce male gametes (sperm) and the hormone testosterone.
Scrotum: External pouch of skin containing the testes, maintaining them at a temperature slightly lower than body temperature for optimal sperm production.
Sperm Duct (Vas Deferens): Tube that conducts mature sperm from the epididymis toward the urethra prior to ejaculation.
Prostate Gland & Seminal Vesicles: Glands that produce nutrient-rich fluid that feeds sperm and aids their motility, combining with sperm to form semen.
Urethra: Channel running through the penis that conveys semen during ejaculation and urine during excretion.
Penis: External reproductive organ that deposits sperm into the female reproductive tract.
2. Gametes and Fertilisation
2.1 Female Gamete (Egg / Ovum)
Large, non-motile cell rich in nutrient-dense cytoplasm to nourish the early embryo.
Surrounded by a protective layer (zona pellucida) that alters after fertilization to prevent entry by additional sperm (polyspermy).
2.2 Male Gamete (Sperm / Spermatozoon)
Small, highly motile cell specialized for movement.
Consists of a head containing haploid genetic material and an acrosome (enzymes to penetrate the egg), a midpiece packed with mitochondria for energy production, and a flagellum (tail) for swimming.
2.3 Process of Fertilisation
Fertilisation: The physical fusion of the haploid nucleus of a male gamete (sperm) with the haploid nucleus of a female gamete (egg) to yield a diploid zygote.
3. Hormonal Control of Puberty
Initiation: Puberty begins when the hypothalamus releases Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH), triggering the anterior pituitary to secrete FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) and LH (Luteinising Hormone).
In Males:
FSH: Stimulates initial sperm production (spermatogenesis).
LH: Stimulates Leydig cells in testes to produce testosterone.
Testosterone: Facilitates secondary sexual characteristics (voice deepening, body and facial hair growth, muscle enlargement, and growth of reproductive organs).
In Females:
FSH & LH: Stimulate ovaries to secrete oestrogen and progesterone.
Oestrogen: Promotes female secondary sexual characteristics (breast development, hip widening, body fat redistribution, hair growth) and establishes the menstrual cycle.
4. The Female Menstrual Cycle
4.1 Roles of Key Hormones
FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone): Released by the pituitary gland; stimulates growth and maturation of an ovarian follicle containing a developing egg. Encourages follicle cells to secrete oestrogen.
Oestrogen: Produced by developing follicle cells; rebuilds and thickens the uterine lining (endometrium) after menstruation. Inhibits FSH release to prevent multiple follicles maturing, but triggers a surge in LH when levels peak.
LH (Luteinising Hormone): Released by the pituitary gland; a high peak in LH induces ovulation (release of mature egg) and converts the empty ruptured follicle into the corpus luteum.
Progesterone: Secreted by the corpus luteum; maintains the thickened endometrium for embryo implantation. Inhibits both FSH and LH release.
4.2 Phases of the Menstrual Cycle
Menstrual Phase (Days 1–5):
Decreasing progesterone levels cause shedding of the uterine lining (menstruation) along with the unfertilised egg.
Follicular Phase (Days 1–13):
FSH promotes follicle development in the ovary.
Maturing follicle releases oestrogen, repairing and thickening the endometrium.
Ovulation (Day 14):
Peak oestrogen triggers an LH surge.
Rupture of the follicle releases the mature ovum into the fallopian tube.
Luteal Phase (Days 15–28):
Ruptured follicle transforms into the corpus luteum, producing progesterone to maintain the endometrial lining.
If fertilisation does not occur, the corpus luteum breaks down, progesterone drops, and menstruation begins, restarting the cycle.
1. Key Structures of Reproductive Systems
1.1 Female Reproductive System
Ovary: Primary female reproductive organ. Produces eggs (ova) and secretes key female hormones: oestrogen and progesterone.
Fallopian Tube (Oviduct): Ciliated pathway that transports the egg toward the uterus; serves as the primary site of fertilisation.
Uterus (Womb): Muscular organ lined with a vascular tissue layer called the endometrium, where a fertilised egg implants and develops throughout pregnancy.
Cervix: The narrow lower neck of the uterus connecting to the vagina, which secretes mucus to assist or restrict sperm entry.
Vagina: Muscular canal connecting the cervix to the body's exterior; acts as the birth canal and receives sperm during sexual intercourse.
1.2 Male Reproductive System
Testes (Testicles): Male reproductive glands housed in the scrotum that produce male gametes (sperm) and the hormone testosterone.
Scrotum: External pouch of skin containing the testes, maintaining them at a temperature slightly lower than body temperature for optimal sperm production.
Sperm Duct (Vas Deferens): Tube that conducts mature sperm from the epididymis toward the urethra prior to ejaculation.
Prostate Gland & Seminal Vesicles: Glands that produce nutrient-rich fluid that feeds sperm and aids their motility, combining with sperm to form semen.
Urethra: Channel running through the penis that conveys semen during ejaculation and urine during excretion.
Penis: External reproductive organ that deposits sperm into the female reproductive tract.
2. Gametes and Fertilisation
2.1 Female Gamete (Egg / Ovum)
Large, non-motile cell rich in nutrient-dense cytoplasm to nourish the early embryo.
Surrounded by a protective layer (zona pellucida) that alters after fertilization to prevent entry by additional sperm (polyspermy).
2.2 Male Gamete (Sperm / Spermatozoon)
Small, highly motile cell specialized for movement.
Consists of a head containing haploid genetic material and an acrosome (enzymes to penetrate the egg), a midpiece packed with mitochondria for energy production, and a flagellum (tail) for swimming.
2.3 Process of Fertilisation
Fertilisation: The physical fusion of the haploid nucleus of a male gamete (sperm) with the haploid nucleus of a female gamete (egg) to yield a diploid zygote.
3. Hormonal Control of Puberty
Initiation: Puberty begins when the hypothalamus releases Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH), triggering the anterior pituitary to secrete FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) and LH (Luteinising Hormone).
In Males:
FSH: Stimulates initial sperm production (spermatogenesis).
LH: Stimulates Leydig cells in testes to produce testosterone.
Testosterone: Facilitates secondary sexual characteristics (voice deepening, body and facial hair growth, muscle enlargement, and growth of reproductive organs).
In Females:
FSH & LH: Stimulate ovaries to secrete oestrogen and progesterone.
Oestrogen: Promotes female secondary sexual characteristics (breast development, hip widening, body fat redistribution, hair growth) and establishes the menstrual cycle.
4. The Female Menstrual Cycle
4.1 Roles of Key Hormones
FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone): Released by the pituitary gland; stimulates growth and maturation of an ovarian follicle containing a developing egg. Encourages follicle cells to secrete oestrogen.
Oestrogen: Produced by developing follicle cells; rebuilds and thickens the uterine lining (endometrium) after menstruation. Inhibits FSH release to prevent multiple follicles maturing, but triggers a surge in LH when levels peak.
LH (Luteinising Hormone): Released by the pituitary gland; a high peak in LH induces ovulation (release of mature egg) and converts the empty ruptured follicle into the corpus luteum.
Progesterone: Secreted by the corpus luteum; maintains the thickened endometrium for embryo implantation. Inhibits both FSH and LH release.
4.2 Phases of the Menstrual Cycle
Menstrual Phase (Days 1–5):
Decreasing progesterone levels cause shedding of the uterine lining (menstruation) along with the unfertilised egg.
Follicular Phase (Days 1–13):
FSH promotes follicle development in the ovary.
Maturing follicle releases oestrogen, repairing and thickening the endometrium.
Ovulation (Day 14):
Peak oestrogen triggers an LH surge.
Rupture of the follicle releases the mature ovum into the fallopian tube.
Luteal Phase (Days 15–28):
Ruptured follicle transforms into the corpus luteum, producing progesterone to maintain the endometrial lining.
If fertilisation does not occur, the corpus luteum breaks down, progesterone drops, and menstruation begins, restarting the cycle.