Table of Contents
Sexual Reproduction: Male and Female Reproductive Organs
Sexual reproduction is the process of producing offspring by combining the genetic material of two parents. This occurs when the male reproductive organ, the penis, deposits sperm inside the female reproductive organ, the vagina. The sperm then swim up the reproductive tract to the uterus, where one of them fertilizes an egg. The fertilized egg divides and grows into a baby.
The male and female reproductive organs are different in shape and size, but both are essential for reproduction. The male reproductive organs include the penis, the scrotum, and the testes. The penis is the external organ used for depositing sperm inside the female reproductive organ. The scrotum is a sac-like structure that hangs below the penis and contains the testes. The testes produce sperm and testosterone. Testosterone is a hormone that is responsible for the development of male characteristics, such as muscle mass and body hair.
The female reproductive organs include the vagina, the uterus, and the ovaries. The vagina is the external organ used for receiving sperm. The uterus is a muscular organ where the baby grows. The ovaries are two small organs that produce eggs.
Male Reproductive organs
The male reproductive organs consist of the penis, the testes, the epididymis, and the vas deferens. The penis is the organ that is used for sexual intercourse and for the elimination of urine. The testes are the two oval-shaped organs that produce sperm and testosterone. The epididymis is a long, coiled tube that stores and transports sperm. The vas deferens is a long, thin tube that carries sperm from the epididymis to the prostate gland. The prostate gland is a small, walnut-sized gland that produces prostate fluid, which helps to nourish and protect sperm.
Female Reproductive organs
The female reproductive organs include the vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. The vagina is a muscular, tubular structure that extends from the external genitalia to the cervix and uterus. The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ that is located in the pelvis. The fallopian tubes are two thin tubes that extend from the uterus to the ovaries. The ovaries are two almond-sized organs that produce eggs and hormones.
Fertilization
Fertilization is the process by which a spermatozoon from a male and an ovum from a female are brought together in the fallopian tubes to form a zygote.
Development of Embryo
The embryo begins as a single cell that divides over and over again. This process is called mitosis. The cells that are formed become more and more specialized as they divide. The cells that will become the embryo and the placenta divide and form a ball that floats in the uterus. The cells on the outside of the ball become the trophoblast. The cells on the inside of the ball become the embryo. The trophoblast grows and invades the uterine wall. It attaches to the uterine wall and starts to grow into the uterine wall. This is called implantation. The embryo grows and develops in the trophoblast. The placenta starts to form and the umbilical cord forms. The embryo gets its nutrients and oxygen from the placenta. The embryo also gets rid of its wastes through the placenta.
Viviparous and Oviparous Organisms
There are two types of reproductive strategies in organisms: viviparity and oviparity. Viviparity is the strategy in which the offspring are born alive, typically from a mammalian mother. Oviparity is the strategy in which the offspring are born from eggs that are laid by the mother. The eggs may be fertilized internally or externally.
