3.9 Reproductive Organs

3.9 recall the structure and the function of the male and female reproductive systems

The Male Reproductive Organ System

There are 8 organs that make up the male reproductive system these are:

1. Bladder – Stores urine
2. Testis – Carries out meiosis which produces the male gamete; the sperm cell
3. Epididymis – Store sperm cells
4. Vas deferens – carries sperm cells to the Penis
5. Prostate – 20/30% of the volume of the semen, contains sugars. (Alkaline solution, to neutralise the acidic secretions within the vagina)
6. Seminal Vesicles – Produces 70% of the volume of semen (also sugar based and alkaline)
7. Urethra – common tube that joins the left and right vas deferens, transports semen and urine down the penis
8. Penis – carry sperm cells into the vagina during sexual intercourse

Note: Semen = Sperm Cells + Prostate secretions + Seminal Vesicles secretions

The Female Reproductive Organ System

There are 7 organs in the female reproductive system:

1. Ovary – Meiosis occurs to form the female Gamete; the egg cell
2. Oviduct – Carry the eggs to the uterus, Fertilisation occurs here. (a.k.a. the fallopian tubes)
3. Uterus wall – the wall of the uterus, made of muscle, stretches to accommodate a pregnancy
4. Uterus lining – accepts and develops the egg into a embryo and then to a child, the placenta implants into here.
5. Uterus Space – where the embryo develops to an unborn child
6. Cervix – Entrance to the uterus,
7. Vagina – Collects the sperm cells from the penis and allows them to pass through the cervix into the uterus.

Note: Before pregnancy the entire uterus structure is no larger than an orange