The Male & Female Reproductive Systems

1. The Male & Female Reproductive Systems Unit 1-12 Notes Mr. Hefti – Pulaski Biology

2. Reproductive System Fun Facts • The average lifespan of an egg once it is released from the ovary is 12-24 hours after which it either disintegrates or is flushed out of the body with the menstrual flow.  The average life span of the sperm is 2-3 days. • Male sperm are significantly smaller than the female egg.  While the sperm measures 2.5 to 3.5 microns across the head the fully mature egg is 100-125 microns in diameter. • The largest cell ofthe female body is the egg. • A woman never runs out of eggs.  At birth she has between 1 and 2 million potential eggs (follicles) and by puberty has 300,000 to 400,000 viable eggs (follicles) that can be fertilized.

4. female reproductive organs – side view during pregnancy 1 – ovary 2 – fallopian tube / oviduct 3 – uterus 4 – cervix 5 – vagina 6 – urinary bladder 7 – urethra 8 – anus 9 – rectum 10 – fetus 11 – umbilical cord 12 – pelvis female repro. organs – front view

5. male reproductive organs – side view male reproductive organs – front view 1 – penis 2 – urethra 3 – scrotum 4 – testes 5 – vas deferens 6 – pelvis 7 – seminal vesicle 8 – prostate 9 – anus 10 – rectum 11 – urinary bladder 12 – blood vessels 13 – ureters

7. Make connections… • What is meant by the following statement? “Reproduction is needed for the survival of the species but not the individual.” • Organisms do not need to reproduce, but if no members of the population reproduce then the species could go extinct.