Sexual Reproduction in Humans (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Combined Science): Revision Note
Exam code: 0653
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The male reproductive system
Structures of the male reproductive system
The male reproductive system has several key components
The structure and function of these components can be seen in the table below
Structure | Function |
|---|---|
Prostate gland | Produces a fluid that mixes with sperm cells to form semen |
Sperm duct | Sperm passes through the sperm duct to be mixed with fluids produced by the glands before being passed into the urethra for ejaculation |
Urethra | Tube running down the centre of the penis that can carry out urine or semen, a ring of muscle in the urethra prevents the urine and semen from mixing |
Testis | Contained within a bag of skin (scrotum) and produces sperm (male gamete) and testosterone hormone |
Scrotum | Sac supporting the testes outside the body to ensure that sperm are kept at a temperature slightly lower than body temperature |
Penis | Passes urine out of the body from the bladder and allows semen to pass into the vagina of a woman during sexual intercourse |
The male reproductive system diagram
The male reproductive system
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The female reproductive system
Structures of the female reproductive system
The female reproductive system has several key components
The structure and function of these components can be seen in the table below
Structure | Function |
|---|---|
Oviduct | Connects the ovary to the uterus and is lined with ciliated cells to push the released ovum down it. Fertilisation occurs here |
Ovary | Contains ova (female gametes) which will mature and develop when hormones are released |
Uterus | Muscular bag with a soft lining where the fertilised egg (zygote) will be implanted to develop into a foetus |
Cervix | Ring of muscle at the lower end of the uterus to keep the developing foetus in place during pregnancy |
Vagina | The muscular tube that leads to the inside of the woman's body where the males penis will enter during sexual intercourse and sperm are deposited |
The female reproductive system diagram
The female reproductive system
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Gametes & Fertilisation
What is fertilisation?
Fertilisation is the fusion of the nuclei from a male gamete (sperm cell) and a female gamete (egg cell)
It occurs in the oviducts
Gametes have adaptations to increase the chances of fertilisation and successful development of an embryo
Fertilisation diagram
The sperm enters the egg cell during fertilisation which usually occurs in the oviduct
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