Human Reproductive System: J S 3

SECOND TERM NOTE: J S 3

By the end of the lesson students should be able to:

Identify the various organs that constitute the human reproductive system
Discuss the functions of each of the components of the human reproductive system
Describe the path of an egg(ovum) during menstruation and also analyze the path of a sperm during wet-dream.

Human Reproductive System

The human reproductive system is a complex set of organs and structures responsible for the creation of new life. It is divided into two main components: the male reproductive system and the female reproductive system.

Part Of The Male Reproductive System:

Testes: These are the primary male reproductive organs that produce sperm and testosterone.
Epididymis: A coiled tube located on the testes where sperm mature and are stored.
Vas Deferens: A duct that transports mature sperm from the epididymis to the urethra during ejaculation.
Seminal Vesicles: Glands that produce a significant portion of semen, providing nutrients and energy for sperm.
Prostate Gland: Produces a fluid that contributes to semen, enhancing sperm motility and viability.
Bulbourethral Glands: Also known as Cowper’s glands, they secrete a clear fluid that cleanses the urethra and enhances sperm motility.

Part Of The Female Reproductive System Are

Ovaries: Female reproductive organs that produce eggs (ova) and hormones like estrogen and progesterone.
Fallopian Tubes: Tubes that transport eggs from the ovaries to the uterus; fertilization usually occurs in the fallopian tubes.
Uterus: A muscular organ where a fertilized egg implants and develops into a fetus during pregnancy.
Cervix: The lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.
Vagina: The birth canal through which a baby passes during childbirth; it also receives sperm during sexual intercourse.
Labia Majora and Labia Minora: Outer and inner folds of skin that protect the female genitalia.
Clitoris: A sensitive organ that plays a role in sexual pleasure.

Menstrual Cycle

In females, the reproductive system undergoes a monthly cycle known as the menstrual cycle. This cycle involves the release of an egg from the ovaries, preparation of the uterus for a potential pregnancy, and the shedding of the uterine lining if pregnancy does not occur.

Fertilization and Pregnancy

Fertilization occurs when a sperm fertilizes an egg, usually in the Fallopian tubes. The fertilized egg then travels to the uterus, where it implants into the uterine lining. Pregnancy begins, and the developing organism is called an embryo, later becoming a fetus.

Description of the path of an egg(ovum) during menstruation and also analyze the path of a sperm during wet-dream.

Path of an Egg (Ovum) during Menstruation

Ovary: The process begins in the ovary, where a mature egg is released during ovulation. Ovulation typically occurs around the middle of the menstrual cycle.
Fallopian Tube (Oviduct): The released egg travels through the Fallopian tube, also known as the oviduct. This is the site where fertilization usually occurs if sperm are present.
Uterus: If the egg is not fertilized, it continues its journey through the fallopian tube and enters the uterus. The uterine lining has thickened in preparation for a potential embryo to implant.
Menstruation: If fertilization does not occur, the egg, along with the thickened uterine lining, is shed through the vagina during menstruation. This marks the end of the menstrual cycle and the beginning of a new one.

Path of a Sperm during a Wet Dream (Nocturnal Emission)

Testes: Sperm production occurs in the testes, which are located outside the body in the scrotum.
Epididymis: Sperm mature and are stored in the epididymis, a coiled tube located on the back of each testicle.
Vas Deferens: During sexual arousal, sperm move from the epididymis through the vas deferens, a muscular tube that transports sperm from the testes to the ejaculatory duct.
Ejaculatory Duct and Urethra: Sperm travel through the ejaculatory duct, where they mix with fluids from the seminal vesicles and prostate gland to form semen. From there, semen passes through the urethra and out of the body through the penis during ejaculation.

During a wet dream (nocturnal emission), ejaculation occurs involuntarily during sleep without any direct sexual stimulation. Sperm are expelled from the body along with semen, typically as a result of sexual dreams or physiological processes related to sexual arousal. The exact pathway of sperm during a wet dream mirrors the pathway during voluntary ejaculation, as described above.

These processes are essential for the reproductive system to function, facilitating the production, transport, and potential fertilization of gametes (eggs and sperm).