Chapter 16: The Reproductive System

Most organ systems of the body function almost continuously to maintain the well-being of the individual. The reproductive system, however, appears to "slumber" until puberty. The gonads (go'nadz; "seeds"), or primary sex organs, are the testes in men and the ovaries in women. The gonads produce sex cells, or gametes (gam'ēts; "spouses"), and secrete sex hormones. The remaining reproductive system structures are accessory reproductive organs. Although male and female reproductive systems are quite different, their joint purpose is to produce offspring.