Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Fetal Development

Dear students,
A small homework: Mini Lab on page 160
Draw graph and answer the questions
Due: next week

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Menstrual Cycle

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B8iN961AVNBMNTkwOTYxMTMtOTExMC00ZTYzLTk1ZjItNTE0NTUxNTA2NTRj&hl=en_US

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Human Reproduction

Dear Students,
This blog will serve as means for communication. To share information, follow up on homework, corrections of class work or tests, etc....
Our first post will be the answer key to the inquiory sheets done in class. Review your notes with the anser key.



Human Reproduction
Male Reproductive System:
1. What is the relation between hormones and the reproductive system?
Hormones are needed for the development of sexual characteristics in males and females and for the production of gamete cells.

2. What is the function of the human reproductive system?
Reproduction is important to assure the continuity of human species on Earth.

3. Give the function of the male reproductive system:
The function of the male reproductive system is to produce sperm cells and to transport sperm cells to be deposited in the female body.

4. Indicate the location, describe structure and give function of the organs that make up the male reproductive system
a. Testes: A pair of Glands located outside body. Produce sperm cells and male hormone called testosterone.

b. Scrotum: External Sac- like structure that contains the testicle. Regulate temperature to optimize production of sperm cells.

c. Epididymis: Tube like structures that help store sperm cells.


d. Sperm Ducts (Vas deferens): A pair of Tubes that connect the testes to the urethra. Path for sperm cells.

e. Seminal vesicle and prostates gland: Glands that produce fluids to help nourish and protect sperm cells.

f. Urethra: A tube like structure to allow urine and semen to exit body. However, semen and urine never mix.

g. Penis: Muscular organ for coupling




5. Trace the path of the sperm cells:
Testicle epididymis sperm duct urethra


6. Describe what is semen made of?
Semen is a mixture made of 20% sperm cells and 80% fluids from seminal vesicle and prostate glands.

7. Draw and label a sperm cell?








8. Infer adaptations that help sperm cells carry its function?
a. stream lines shape
b. Long tail
c. Large nucleus


9. When does production of sperm cells start? When does it end?
Production of sperm cells start at puberty and continues until death.



10. How often are sperm cells produced?
Sperm cells are produced continuously and on daily basis.



11. What is the life span of a sperm cell
The life span of a sperm cell is 3-5 days.



Gonads: Male and female reproductive organs that produce the gamete cells
Gamete cells: Sex cells sperm or egg cell

Female Reproductive System
1. Give the functions of the female reproductive system:
To produce and develop eggs (ova)
To receive sperm cells
To fertilize the egg
To nourish and shelter the fertilized egg until birth



2. Describe the structure and function of the organs that make up the female reproductive system:
a. Ovaries: A pair of glands, develop an egg per month alternating between the two ovaries; produce female hormones estrogen and progesterone.

b. Oviduct (Fallopian tubes): Tubes that connect ovaries to uterus. Place where fertilization occurs

c. Uterus: A pear shaped, hollow organ with thick muscular walls.
If there is no fertilization: the most inner membrane (endometrium) sheds or breaks down
If there is fertilization: Place where baby is nourished and sheltered until birth.

d. Cervix: Neck of uterus closes during pregnancy and widens during birth to allow exist of baby.


e. Vagina: Coupling organ and birth canal for baby.



3. Define ovulation: The release of an egg from an ovary, and it occurs 14 days prior to next menstruation.

4. Trace the path of an unfertilized egg?
Ovary oviduct Uterus vagina


5. When do females produce eggs? When does egg production stop?
Females produce eggs during embryonic age before birth. Egg develops at puberty. Egg production ends at menopause that occurs around 50yrs of age; whereby ovulation and menstruation stop.


6. How often are eggs releases?
Once per month alternating between left or right ovary. From puberty till menopause.


Sperm cell Egg cell
Shape Streamlined Oval/round
Place produced Testes Ovaries
Mobility Highly Mobile Immobile
Life span 3-5 days 1-2 days
Frequency of production daily Monthly
Amount produced Millions /day One/month
Production continuous Cyclic
Duration of production Puberty till death Puberty till menopause
Size Smaller Larger
7. Compare in the table the male and female gamete cells




8. Name the hormones responsible for puberty and production of gamete cells:
a. Male hormone: Testosterone

b. Female hormones: Estrogen and progesterone

9. Define puberty: A period of development where a person becomes physically capable of reproduction.



10. In which system does the reproductive and urinary system join?

Male system but the two fluids never mix.