REPRODUCTION

IN HUMANS
DEFINITION

•The production of new

organisms of the same species.
TYPES
a. Sexual – union of male (sperm) and
female (egg) gametes to produce new
organisms.

b. Asexual – when the whole or part of an

organism produces a new organism.
 ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

Reproduction involving simple cell

division, where the cell contents are
copied as the cell divides into two.
The parent cell passes on its original
genetic code to the offspring.
 ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

Single-celled organisms splits into two

new identical organisms. The process is
called binary fission. Eg. Amoeba,
bacteria (every 20 mins if conditions are
all right, paramecium, plasmodium, yeast
(use the process of budding).
BINARY FISSION
BUDDING IN YEAST
 ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION
•Parts of the parent form the offspring.
These may include structures such as bulbs
(in plants), spores (in fungus) or buds.

•The offspring grows to be identical to the

parent – they are clones (genetically
identical).
 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF
ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION
ADVANTAGES
• The passing of genes to the next
generation is ensured since there is
no need to waste time finding a
mate.
• Large number of offspring can be
made in a short time.
• Usually a short process, offspring
are produced quickly
DISADVANTAGES
• Little or no genetic variation – offspring
are identical.
• If there is a change in environment, the
offspring are no more likely than the
parent to be able to cope with the new
conditions
• If the parents are of poor quality then
the offspring will also be of poor quality
• Overcrowding of space is a distinct
possibility, since offspring are din large
numbers
 SEXUAL REPRODUCTION
•Reproduction that requires a male and
female to produce different gametes (sperm
and egg), which when they fuse give rise to
new individuals that have a mixture of
genetic information from both parents
•The offspring are always different from their
parent.
 Advantages and Disadvantages of Sexual
Reproduction
ADVANTAGES
• It increases variation
• It is possible for parents to be
of low quality and the
offspring to be of high quality
• If the environment changes, it
is more likely that there will be
individuals among the
offspring that will be able to
cope with the new conditions
DISADVANTAGES
• It is a very slow process
• A lot of time is spent searching
for a mate
• Few offspring may be
produced
• It is possible to produce low
quality offspring from high
quality parents
 DISEASES OF THE MALE AND
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE
SYSTEM
CANCER – The uncontrolled division of cells

• PROSTATE
• CERVICAL
• OVARIAN
 PROSTATE CANCER
RISK FACTORS

• Older age – risk increases with age. It's most common after age
50.
• Race – black people have a greater risk
• Family history – blood relative
• Obesity – people who are obese may have a higher risk
 PROSTATE CANCER
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

•Frequent urination, especially at night

•weak or slow urine stream
•difficulty starting the urine stream
•being unable to empty the bladder completely
•Blood in urine and semen
•Painful urination and ejaculation
•Erectile dysfunction
•Weight loss (without trying)
•Pain in the bone (due to spread)
 DECTECTION/SCREENING
• Methods include: 
1. Digital rectal examination (DRE) helps to find
prostate problems
2. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA): Increased PSA
levels in the blood can sometimes indicate
prostate cancer.
 TREATMENT
Depends on the following factors:

• The stage and grade of cancer

• Age and health
• Risk category
• Patient values and preferences
• Life expectancy
1. Localized therapy
• Surgery – involves the removal of the prostate gland (prostatectomy)
• Radiation therapy
• Cryotherapy is the use of very cold temperatures to freeze and kill the
cancerous cells

2. Drug therapies that spread throughout the body to destroy cancer

cells involve
• Hormonal therapy
• Chemotherapy
 CERVICAL CANCER
RISK FACTORS
1. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection - HPV can spread from
one person to another during skin-to-skin contact, through
sexual activity; including vaginal, anal, and even oral sex.

2. Smoking – exposes women to many cancer-causing chemicals

that affect organs other than the lungs. These harmful
substances are absorbed through the lungs and carried in the
bloodstream throughout the body.
3. Sexual history
• Becoming sexually active at a young age (especially younger than 18
years old)
• Having many sexual partners
• Having one partner who is considered high risk (someone with HPV
infection or who has many sexual partners)

4. Young age at first full-term pregnancy - Women who were

younger than 20 years when they had their first full-term
pregnancy are more likely to get cervical cancer later in life than
women who waited to get pregnant until they were 25 years or
older. 
5. Having a family history of cervical cancer
6. Economic status - Many low-income
women do not have easy access to
adequate health care services.
7. Many sexual partners – the greater your
number of sexual partners and the greater
your partner’s sexual partners, the greater
your chance of contracting HPV
 CERVICAL CANCER
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• abnormal vaginal bleeding including between periods, after menopause and

after sexual intercourse
• abnormal or increased amount of vaginal discharge
• foul-smelling vaginal discharge
• unusually long or heavy periods
• pain during sexual intercourse
• difficulty urinating
• loss of appetite
 DETECTION/SCREENING
1. Pap test - A Pap test can detect abnormal cells in
the cervix, including cancer cells and cells that
show changes that increase the risk of cervical
cancer.

2. HPV DNA test. The HPV DNA test involves testing

cells collected from the cervix for infection with
any of the types of HPV that are most likely to lead
to cervical cancer.
 TREATMENT
It depends on the kind of cervical cancer and how far it has
spread.

1. Surgery: Doctors remove cancer tissue in an operation.

2. Chemotherapy: Using special medicines to shrink or kill
the cancer.
3. Radiation: Using high-energy rays (similar to X-rays) to kill
the cancer.