2020-03-27

Human reproduction
HUMAN REPRODUCTION • Formation of new individuals.
• Prevent extinction –ensures
Grade 9 Natural Science continuation\survival of species.
2020
• Gametes
Platinum Natural Sciences 9
• Sex organs
Learner’s book pg. 35 - 48 • Fertilisation → zygote
→ living organism

Content and concepts Unit 1: Purpose and puberty

Purpose and puberty • Reproduction = make more organisms
• the main purpose of reproduction is for the gametes (male and • 2 types: Sexual or Asexual
female sex cells) to combine for the continuation of the species

• puberty is the stage in the human life cycle when sexual ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION
organs mature for reproduction. This process is initiated when
the pituitary gland releases hormones into the blood stream,
triggering the testes and ovaries to release sex hormones • Only ONE parent.
(testosterone and oestrogen) • Offspring are IDENTICAL to parent.
• testosterone (from the testes) and oestrogen (from the ovaries) • Examples: plants, unicellular organisms
cause secondary sexual characteristics such as menstruation,
breast development, pubic hair, facial hair, deepening of the (amoeba)
male voice

SEXUAL REPRODUCTION
Activity 2(pg. 37): Explain
• TWO parents.
• Offspring gets DNA from both parents – genetic
Reproduction
variation
• Reproductive organs that produce GAMETES.
• FERTILISATION of egg & sperm cell = zygote.
• Zygote divides to make EMBRYO which develops into
new individual.

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PUBERTY SECONDARY SEXUAL CHARACTERISTICS &

• 10 – 15 yrs old. EMOTIONAL CHANGES
• Body changes, sexual organs mature for
reproduction.
• Testes produce sperm.
• Ovaries produce eggs.

PITUITARY GLAND AND HORMONES

• Pituitary gland at base of brain produces hormones

that make reproductive organs active (make sex
hormones).
• Testes = testosterone
• Ovaries = oestrogen

Activity 3(pg. 39): Explain

Content and concepts
the process of puberty
Reproductive organs

• the male reproductive organs include the penis, sperm duct

(vas deferens), testes (produces sperm cells), scrotum,
urethra

• the female reproductive organs include the vagina,

uterus,ovaries (contain egg cells/ ova), oviducts (Fallopian
tubes)

Unit 2:
Reproductive
organs

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Activity 4(pg. 41):Write

about Circumcision

Activity 5(pg. 41):Label

diagrams of the male
reproductive organs

Activity 6(pg. 43):Label

diagrams of the female
reproductive organs

Content and concepts The reproductive system

Stages of reproduction
• once a month, one of the ovaries releases a ripe egg in a process called ovulation • The Menstrual Cycle
• in preparation for a fertilised egg, the uterus develops a thick layer of blood
• if fertilisation does not take place, menstruation occurs
• menstruation is the breakdown of the thick layer of blood in the uterus, which is released • Sexual Intercourse
through the vagina
• the menstrual cycle is usually a 28 day cycle
• during copulation, the erect penis is inserted into the vagina and semen is released • Fertilisation and
(ejaculation)
• fertilisation is the fusion of the sperm and egg, producing a zygote
Pregnancy
• if fertilisation takes place, the fertilised egg is implanted in the blood layer in the uterus, and
pregnancy results
• the developing embryo/foetus is attached to the uterus wall by the placenta which plays a vital • Growth and
role in feeding and removing waste from the foetus Development
• the stage of pregnancy in humans (gestation) is about 40 weeks
• pregnancy can be prevented by using contraceptives such as condoms to prevent the sperm
reaching the egg
• condoms also prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS and other STDs (sexually transmitted
• Birth
diseases), if used effectively

The Menstrual Cycle

• Menstruation begins at puberty.

• Menstruation = shedding of blood through

the vagina

• Ovaries produce hormones progesterone

and oestrogen, which control the
menstrual cycle

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Menstrual cycle:
• 28 days long
• Ovum released from ovary (ovulation)

• Uterus prepares itself for pregnancy

• Thickening of blood vessels in the wall of the
uterus

• No pregnancy = menstruation
• Blood lost is the lining of blood vessels in the
uterus.

• Pregnancy can occur at any stage.

• Menopause = menstruation stops when a woman

stops releasing eggs (± 45 – 50 yrs)

Activity 7(pg. 45):Revise

Sexual Intercourse
menstruation
• Sperm needs to enter female body and fuse with
ovum for new human to be formed.

• Male puts his erect penis inside the vagina of the

female (copulation)

• The male releases semen from the penis

→ejaculation

• semen contains millions of sperm cells which are

deposited at the neck of the uterus.

Fertilisation and pregnancy

• Fertilisation = sperm
fuses with mature ovum

• Only ONE sperm cell

fuses with the egg
• Conception = fertilisation of egg cell by a sperm cell

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• Implantation = ball of cells sinks into the

soft inner lining of the uterus
• Embryo implants itself in uterus wall and
the placenta develops
Growth and Development
• Develop for 9 months in
the uterus
• Cells divide and specialise
to form the various organs

• Amniotic sac – baby lies

in a bag filled with liquid
(amniotic fluid) which
protects the baby from
bumps and sudden
movements

Birth
• Sticky mucus at • Gestation = 40 weeks
opening of uterus
keeps micro- • Labour = mother’s body prepares to
organisms out of move baby from inside uterus to the
uterus outside world.

• Placenta = filter
• Contractions = muscles of uterus
between mother’s contract, painful
blood and baby’s
blood
 Grows into lining of uterus
 Gives nutrients and oxygen
 Removes excreted wastes
 Umbilical cord attaches baby
to the placenta

3 stages of labour
1. “Water breaks”
uterine muscles contract
causes cervix to widen
uterus and vagina form
continuous passage

2. Contractions cause baby to be pushed out

umbilical cord is cut
part that remains = belly-button

3. Shortly after baby is born placenta loosens

pushed out of mother’s body = afterbirth

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Activity 8(pg. 46):Research and

Activity 9(pg. 47): Flow charts
write about the effects of
of reproduction
alcohol, smoking and drugs on
the foetus
Activity 10(pg. 47): Debate and
discuss issues
Divide class into 5 groups, (book computer lab. rm. 23 for research, 2
lessons)
• Abortion
• Infertility
• Surrogacy
• Contraception
• Population control

Topic 3 Revision pg. 48