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Human Reproduction (Chapter- 3)

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Human Reproduction (Chapter- 3) NOTES HUMAN REPRODUCTION (CHAPTER- 3) Study the following notes along with the N.C.E.R.T Practice all the diagrams in the practice register Refer to the video link at the end of the notes for a better understanding of the chapter Human beings are sexually reproducing, viviparous organisms with internal fertilization and internal development. The reproductive events in human beings include: - Gametogenesis - It is the formation of gametes through the process of meiosis inside the sex organs, that is, testis in males and ovaries in females. Gametes are called as sperms in males and ova or egg in females. - Insemination- It is the transfer of sperms from the male body into the genital tract of female. - Fertilization- It is the fusion of male and female gametes to form a diploid cell called zygote. - Cleavage- The zygote undergoes cleavage that is mitotic divisions to first form a morula and then the blastocyst. - Implantation- The blastocyst gets partially embedded in the walls of the uterus for attachment and nourishment. - Establishment of placenta- A foeto-maternal connective called Placenta develops for attachment, nutrition, respiration and excretion of embryo. - Embryonic development- The implanted embryo undergoes gastrulation (Establishment of the three primary germ layers) and then organogenesis(Development of various tissues, organs and organ systems) - Development and growth of foetus- There is growth of various parts and Systems of the foetus so that they become fully functional. The foetus is then converted into a young one and the period of total stay of embryo in the body of the mother is called gestation period (Pregnancy) - Parturition- The fully formed young one is delivered outside the mother’s body. DEVELOPMENT is a series of changes that occur in an individual from the beginning of cleavage of zygote to the attainment of maturity that is followed by senescence. It is divisible into two parts: 1) The prenatal development- It is the embryonic and foetal development that occurs inside the womb of the mother. 2) The postnatal development- It is the development that occurs in the individual after birth. Various characteristics of the human reproductive systems 1) The sexes are separate and they show sexual dimorphism, that is, there is a difference in both the external features as well as the sex organs. 2) The stage when primary sex organs (Testes in males and ovaries in female which produce gametes and sex hormones) become functional is called puberty. 3) Full sexual maturity is attained slowly thereafter when accessory sex organs (Eg: Vas deferens, Epididymis, Prostate, seminal vesicles etc. in males and fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina in females) develop and become functional. 4) Breeding can continue throughout the year, that is, humans are non-seasonal breeders. 5) Females remain reproductive from menarche (beginning of the first menstrual cycle) to menopause (stoppage of the Menstruation) 6) There is a common urinogenital duct in human males whereas the urinary and the genital ducts are separate in females. 7) Fertilization is internal which occurs inside the body of the female in the fallopian tube. 8) The embryo develops inside the uterus of the female where it gets attached and nourished by the Placenta and this phenomenon is called vivipary. 9) Fully formed young ones are delivered by females and this phenomena is called as parturition. 10) Infants are fed on mother’s milk. 11) There is prolonged parental care. THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM It is located in the pelvis region. It includes a pair of testes alongside accessory ducts, glands and the external genitalia. The testes are situated outside the abdominal cavity within a pouch called as Scrotum which helps to maintain the low temperature of the testes (that is 2-2.5 degree Celsius lower than the normal internal body temperature) which is necessary for spermatogenesis. In adults, each testis is oval in shape and each testis is covered by a dense covering. Each testis has about 250 compartments called testicular lobules. Each lobule contains 1 to 3 highly coiled seminiferous tubules in which sperms are produced. Each seminiferous tubule js lined on its inside by two types of cells- 1) Male germ cells or the spermatogonia 2) Sertoli cells. THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM The male germ cells undergo mitotic division, finally leading to sperm formation while the sertoli cells provide nutrition to the germ cells. The regions outside the seminiferous tubules are called as interstitial spaces which contain small blood vessels and interstitial cells are the Leydig cells. The leydig cells synthesise and secrete testicular hormones called androgens. Other immunologically competent cells are also present. The male sex accessory ducts include the rete testis, Vasa efferentia, epididymis and vas deferens. The seminiferous tubules of the testis open into the Vasa efferentia through the rete testis, The vasa efferentia leave the testis and open into the epididymis located along the posterior surface of each testis. The epididymis leads to Vas deferens that ascends to the abdomen and loops over the urinary bladder. It receives a duct from the seminal vesicle and opens into the urethra as the ejaculatory duct. These ducts store and transport the sperms from the testis to the outside through the urethra. The urethra originates from the urinary bladder and extends through the penis to the external opening called urethral meatus. L.S OF TESTIS SHOWING VARIOUS PARTS The Penis It is the male external genitalia. It is made up of special tissue that helps in erection of the penis to facilitate the insemination. The enlarged end of the penis is called as the glans penis which is covered by a loose fold of skin called as the foreskin. The male accessory glands include the paired seminal vesicles, a prostate and the paired Bulbourethral gland. Secretions of these glands constitutes the seminal plasma which is rich in Fructose, calcium and certain enzymes. The secretions of Bulbourethral glands also help in the lubrication of the penis. FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM It consists of a pair of ovaries along with a pair of oviducts, uterus, cervix, vagina and external genitalia located in the pelvic region. These parts of the system along with the pair of mammary glands are integrated structurally and functionally to support the process of ovulation, fertilization, pregnancy, birth and childcare. The ovaries are the primary female sex organs that produces the female gamete (ovum) and several steroid hormones (ovarian hormones). The ovaries are located one on each side of the lower abdomen. Each ovary is connected to the pelvic wall and uterus by ligaments. Each ovary is covered by a thin epithelium which encloses the ovarian stroma. The stroma is divided into two zones- a peripheral cortex and an inner medulla. The fallopian tubes (oviducts), uterus and vagina constitute the female accessory ducts. Each fallopian tube (10-12 cm long) extends from the periphery of each ovary to the uterus. The part closer to the ovary is the funnel shaped infundibulum. The ages of the infundibulum possesses finger like projections called fimbriae which helps in the collection of ovum after ovulation. The infundibulum leads to a wider part of the oviduct called the ampulla. The last part of the oviduct, isthmus, has a narrow lumen and joins the uterus. THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM The uterus - It is single and is also called as the womb. The shape of the uterus is like an inverted pear. - It is supported by ligaments attached to the pelvic wall. - The uterus opens into the vagina through a narrow cervix and the cavity of the cervix is called as the cervical Canal which along with the vagina forms the birth Canal. - The wall of the uterus has three layers of tissue: 1) The external thin membranous perimetrium 2) The middle thick layer of smooth muscles myometrium. 3) The inner glandular layer called as the endometrium that lines the uterine cavity The endometrium undergoes cyclical changes during menstrual cycle while the myometrium exhibits strong contraction during delivery of the baby. The female external genitalia - It include mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, hymen and clitoris. - Mons pubis is a cushion of fatty tissue covered by skin and pubic hair. - Labia majora are fleshy folds of tissue which extends down from the mons pubis and surrounds the vaginal opening. - Labia minora are paired folds of tissue under the labia majora. - The opening of the vagina is often covered partially by a membrane called hymen. - The clitoris is a tiny finger like structure which lies at the upper junction of the two labia minora above the urethral opening. - The hymen is often torn during the first coitus (intercourse). However it can also be broken by a sudden fall or jolt, insertion of vaginal tampons, active participation in some sports like horseback riding and cycling etc. In some women the hymen persists even after coitus. In fact the presence or absence of hymen is not a reliable indicator of virginity or sexual experience. FEMALE EXTERNAL GENITALIA Mammary glands - It is characteristic of all female mammals t0 possess mammary glands. - The mammary glands are paired structures (breasts) that contain glandular tissue and variable amount of fats’ - The glandular tissue of each breast is divided into 15 to 20 mammary lobes containing clusters of cells called the alveoli. - The cells of alveoli secrete milk which is stored in the cavities (lumen) of the alveoli. - These alveoli open into the mammary tubules and the tubules of each lobe join to form a mammary duct. - Several mammary ducts join to form a wider mammary ampulla which is connected to the lactiferous duct through which milk is sucked out. SECTIONAL VIEW OF MAMMARY GLAND GAMETOGENESIS - The primary sex organs that is the testes in males and the ovaries in females produce sperms and ovum by the process called as gametogenesis.
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