BW9

BW9: Students should be able to explain human sexual reproduction; discuss medical, ethical, and societal issues

Sexual reproduction is the formation of new individuals from 2 parents.

Humans produce special cells called gametes which have half the normal number of chromosomes compared to body cells.

Human gametes have 23 chromosomes each and body cells have 46 chromosomes.

Fertilisation is when the male gamete or sperm fuses with the female gamete, the egg to form a zygote.

The zygote has two sets of chromosomes and divides to form an embryo which develops inside the mother's womb to form a baby.

Male Reproductive System

The testes produce sperm, the male gamete.

The testis is outside the body in the scrotum where it is at a lower temperature for sperm production.

The sperm has a tail it uses to move in the woman's body towards the female gamete.

The sperm duct carries sperm from the testes to the urethra.

Special glands add a fluid to the sperm to nourish them and allow them to move.

The sperm and fluid together form semen.

The urethra carries semen out through the penis.

The penis is used to allow the sperm to enter the woman’s body.

Men can produce over 200 million sperm per day.