BIOD 152 AP2 Lab7 Study Guide Latest Update
The human reproduction system is defined as a sexual reproductive system. This means that
there are 2 parents (a bi-parental system) and the offspring receives chromosomes from both
parents.
•The parents produce Gametes which are basically sex cells that meet together to join a
fertilized egg (Zygote).
•The gametes must have 2 properties: motility and the ability to provide nutrition.
oOne cell cannot provide both of these characteristics because in order to provide
nutrients, the cell must be large and heavy and therefore cannot really be
motile.
•In the human system we have 2 cells.
oThe male sex cell is the sperm which is very small and very motile. The sperm is
the smallest human sex cell in the body and consists mainly of DNA and some
mitochondria in the tail of the sperm.
oThe egg is the female sex cell which is very large and nutrient heavy. It is the
largest human cell and can be seen with the naked eye in some cases.
•The reproductive system of the male and female consists of primary and secondary sex
organs.
oPrimary sex organs- Gonads will produce the gametes (sex cells)
▪Male gonad- Testis.
▪Female gonad- Ovary
oSecondary sex organs- crucial to the reproductive process
▪Male: consists of a system of ducts and glands along with the penis that
allows for storage, survival and conveyance of sperm.
▪Female system: contains uterus, uterine tubes, and vagina that allows for
the uniting of sperm and the egg, and also for the zygote to harbor and
develop into a fetus.
•Male reproduction system: produces the sperm and introduces them to the female.
oScrotum- pouch that arises from the abdomen and contains the Testis (male
gonad)
▪Testes are an exocrine gland because they produce sex cells which they
release from a series of ducts,
▪Testes are an endocrine gland because they also produce the hormone
Testosterone and release it directly into the bloodstream.
