Sexual reproduction requires two individuals, male and female, to produce offspring of the same type. Males produce sperm cells that fertilize egg cells produced by females. Fertilization occurs internally in many animals when sperm enter the female reproductive system to fuse with an egg, or externally when sperm fertilize eggs outside the body. The resulting zygote develops into a new organism.
Sexual reproduction requires two individuals, male and female, to produce offspring of the same type. Males produce sperm cells that fertilize egg cells produced by females. Fertilization occurs internally in many animals when sperm enter the female reproductive system to fuse with an egg, or externally when sperm fertilize eggs outside the body. The resulting zygote develops into a new organism.
Sexual reproduction requires two individuals, male and female, to produce offspring of the same type. Males produce sperm cells that fertilize egg cells produced by females. Fertilization occurs internally in many animals when sperm enter the female reproductive system to fuse with an egg, or externally when sperm fertilize eggs outside the body. The resulting zygote develops into a new organism.
increase their number and make sure that their type of organism does no die out (extinct). • Mammals (such as humans) give birth to babies and many other animals hatch from large eggs. • Sexual reproduction requires two individuals to produce new organisms of the same type. • Two types of specialized cells are Gametes used: gametes or sex cells. • Males make gametes called sperm cells. • Females make egg cells or ova. Fertilization
• During fertilization, a sperm cells
enters an egg cell and the two cell nuclei fuse (become one). • A single fertilized egg or zygote is formed and can grow into a new organism. • For fertilization to happen, the sperm cells must reach the egg cell. External Fertilization • Is when happens outside the bodies of the animals, for example, the fish. • This usually occurs in water. • Some egg cells do not get fertilized because the sperm cells are washed away. • Most of the animals that use external fertilization do not protect their fertilized egg cells, so lot of it are eaten by other animals. • Huge numbers of eggs are produced to ensure some of them get fertilized and survive. Internal Fertilization
• The male places the sperm
cells inside the female. • Birds and mammals use this fertilization. • They produce fewer egg cells because sperm cells are more likely to reach the egg cells. Reproductive Organs • Gametes are in reproductive organs, which form an organ system called the reproductive system. • In mammals, the male gametes are made in the testes. • The testes hang outside the body in a bag of skin called the scrotum. • Their position helps to keep the sperm cells at the correct temperature to develop properly. Male Reproductive System
• In mammals, the male gametes are
made in the testes. • The testes hang outside the body in a bag of skin called the scrotum. • Their position helps to keep the sperm cells at the correct temperature to develop properly. • After puberty, male produce sperm cells for the rest of their lives (up to 100 million everyday). • A sperm cell has certain features to help it to do its job. • When sperm cells are released from the testes, they travel through sperm ducts, where fluids are added from glands. • The mixture of sperm cells and fluids is called semen, and it leaves the body through the urethra, that is inside the penis. • The tube also carries urine from the bladder, but never at the same time as semen. Female Reproductive System • Each ovary contains small, undeveloped egg cells (ova). • After puberty, egg cells start to develop and one is usually released from an ovary every 28- 32 days. • A woman´s ovaries stop releasing egg cells at about the age of 45-55 years, a time known as the menopause. • Girls are born with about 100.000 undeveloped egg cells in each ovary. • After leaving an ovary, an egg cell enters an oviduct (fallopian tube). • The oviducts are lined with hairs, called cilia, and these sweep egg cells toward the uterus. • The uterus is where a baby will develop, it has a strong, muscular walls. • The lower end of the uterus is made of a ring of muscle called cervis.