Key Area 1
(b) Gamete production in the ovaries
In next section of Key Area 1, we take a closer look at gamete production in the female reproduction system. Females are born with all the eggs they will ever have and they invest a lot in protecting them throughout their reproductive life.
Something to Read...
Open the document below and read the mandatory course notes provided by SQA for this Key Area. You may wish to use your home learning time to copy these notes into a jotter or choose a digital presentation format that suits your learning style.
Something to Watch...
Something to look at...
The image above shows the female reproductive system, with areas labelled including the ovaries, oviduct and the endometrium.
This second image shows an enlarged view of an ovary. You can see the various stages of development of an ovum and how it is surrounded by a follicle. Following maturation, and in the presence of particular hormones (which we will cover in KA2), an ovum may be released from the ovary during ovulation. You can see how the follicle then degrades to become the corpus luteum, a structure that secretes progesterone. More of this later!
You are now ready for your in-class lesson on gamete production in the ovaries. Remember to bring any questions or queries with you.
You are now ready to move onto Key Area 1c: Fertilisation.
