UNIT 6. HUMAN REPRODUCTION.

THE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 UNIT 6. HUMAN REPRODUCTION. THE REPRODUCTION SYSTEM
1. Reproducción humana 1. Human reproduction

1.1. Cambios en la pubertad 1.1. Changes in puberty

2. El aparato reproductor 2. The reproductive system

A) Aparato reproductor masculino A) Male reproductive system
B) Aparato reproductor femenino B) Female reproductive system

3. Los gametos y su formación 3. The gametes and their formation

A) Los espermatozoides y su formación A) Sperm cells and their formation
B) Los óvulos y su formación B) Ovules and their formation

4. El ciclo menstrual 4. The menstrual cycle

5. Fecundación y el comienzo del 5. Fertilisation and the start of a

embarazo pregnancy

6. El embarazo: desarrollo del embrión 6. Pregnancy: development of the embryo

7. El nacimiento 7. Chilbirth

8. Infertilidad y reproducción asistida 8. Infertility and assisted reproduction

9. Métodos anticonceptivos 9. Contraceptive methods
Male Vagina Head-down position
Female Vulva Childbirth
Sperm cell Labia minora Dilation
Ovule Labia majora Contractions
Puberty Clitoris Water-breaking
Adolescence Menopause Scar
Genitalia Menstrual cycle Navel
Menstruation Bleeding Infertility
Having a period Endometrium Artificial insemination
Sexual intercourse Ovulation In-vitro fertilisation
Testicles Corpus luteum Contraceptive methods
Scrotum Fertilisation Condom
Penis Pregnancy Diaphragm
Vas deferens Zygote Intrauterine device (IUD)
Prostata Embryo Spermicids
Seminal vesicles Fetus The pill
Semen Placenta Tying the Fallopian tubes
Ovaries Umbilical cord Vasectomy
Fallopian tubes Amniotic sac
Uterus or womb Amniotic fluid
Cervix
VERBS
To mature
To implant
To release
To remove
To develop
To transfer
To fertilise
To begin
To break down
To pass out
To leave
To divide
To gain weight
To dilate
To insert
To wear
To prevent
To be pregnant
To be in labour
1. HUMAN REPRODUCTION

Human reproduction is sexual.

There are two sexes: male and female, which produce two different types
of reproductive cells or gametes:
Female and male
•The male gamete is called sperm cell.

•The female gamete is called ovule.

People acquire the capacity to reproduce

(sexual maturity) in the first phase of
adolescence, the puberty.

Adolescence is the period when we

mature into adults, not just physically, but
also socially and emotionally.
1.1. CHANGES IN PUBERTY

The primary sexual

characteristics are the
characteristics present at birth:
•The existence of female
genitalia in the female.
•The existence of male genitalia
in the male.
1.1. CHANGES IN PUBERTY

During puberty our bodies start to produce sex

hormones that cause physical changes in our
bodies. We develop secondary sexual
characteristics. The main ones are:

Boys from 10 to 18 years old: the skeletal muscles

increase; development of pubic hair, the beard, and hear
over a large part of the body; the voice become deeper; the
penis and testicles increase size and they start producing
sperm cells.

Girls from 9 to 18 years old: hips widen and the waist gets
narrower, hair appears in the armpits and the pubic area.
Breasts develop and menstruation starts because the ovules
start maturing in the ovaries.
2. A) THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

The male reproductive system produces sperm cells and transfers

them to the female reproductive system during sexual intercourse.
2. A) THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
2. A) THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Vas deferens

Seminal
vesicles

Prostate

Testicles

Scrotum

Penis

Urethra
 2. A) THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
The two testicles produce
sperm cells and the hormone
testosterone. They hang outside
the body in a bag called
the scrotum.
The penis transfers the
sperm cells into the female
reproductive system during
sexual intercourse.
The penis contains erectile
tissue.This fills with blood
before sex, making the
penis erect.
The vas deferens carry
sperm cells from the
testicles to the penis.
BLADDER The glands (prostate
and seminal vesicles)
produce liquids that are
mixed with the sperm
cells. The mixture is
called semen.
The urethra is the tube
inside the penis through
which semen and urine
flow.
2. B) THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

The female reproductive system release ovules. If an ovule is fertilised, the

reproductive system protects and feeds the zygote as it develops into a
baby.
2. B) THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 2. B) THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Fallopian
tubes

Ovaries

Uterus

Cervix

Vagina

Labia minora
Clitoris
Labia majora
 2. B) THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Fallopian tubes connect

the ovaries to the uterus. Ovaries produce ovules.

Vagina is a tube going from

the outside to the cervix. The uterus or womb is
Semen is deposited in a hollow organ with walls
the vagina during sexual made of muscle. It is
intercourse. where the fertilised ovule
develops into a baby
before birth. The uterus
Vulva is the external part of the narrows at its bottom
female reproductive system. (the cervix).
This include folds of skin called
labia minora and labia majora.
Between them is the clitoris,
a very sensitive organ.
3. THE GAMETES AND THEIR FORMATION
A) SPERM CELLS AND THEIR FORMATION

Sperm cells or male gametes are small and mobile cells.

In them, we can differentiate:

•The head, which contains the cell nucleus.

•The middle piece, whose abundant mitochondria produce the energy
necessary for movement.
•The tail, which has a flagellum.

The formation of sperm

cells begins at puberty, due
to the action of male
hormones (testosterone), and
continues throughout life.
3. THE GAMETES AND THEIR FORMATION

B) OVULES AND THEIR FORMATION

The ovules or female gametes are large, spherical and immobile
cells.

In them, we can differentiate:

•The nucleus.
•The cytoplasm, which contains food reserves.
•Membranes.
3. THE GAMETES AND THEIR FORMATION

B) OVULES AND THEIR FORMATION

The formation of the ovules takes place in

the ovaries in two stages.

•First step: when the female is still an

embryo, ovules are formed in her ovaries,
ovules are inmature.

•Second step: from puberty on,

approximately every 28 days, an immature
ovule matures and leaves the ovary
(ovulation). Ovulation is repeated until the
woman reaches menopause, which marks
the end of her ability to reproduce.
 3. THE GAMETES AND THEIR FORMATION
B) OVULES AND THEIR FORMATION Fallopian Ovaries
tubes

Ovule

Uterus

Vagina
4. THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE
4. THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE

The female reproductive system goes through a cycle of events

(approximately once every 28 days) called the menstrual cycle.
In each cycle, an ovule is released from one of the ovaries and
the body prepares for pregnancy.

The menstrual cycle is controlled by hormones: estrogens,

progesterone, LH and FSH.
4. THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE

Days 1 to 5: the menstrual cycle starts with bleeding through the vagina
which is called menstruation or “having a period”: the endometrium
breaks down.

Days 5-14: the bleeding stops and the endometrium grows again.

Day 14: an ovule is released from an ovary into the Fallopian tube. This
is called ovulation.

Days 14-28: the ovule leaves in the ovary a structure called the corpus
luteum that produces progesterone, which maintains the endometrium,
preparing it to receive an embryo.

If the ovule is not fertilised, the corpus luteum stops

producing progesterone. The endometrium starts to
break down, and the cycle starts again.

If the ovule is fertilized, it attaches itself to

the endometrium, and the corpus luteum
continues to produce progesterone. The endometrium is
preserved.
5. FERTILISATION AND THE START OF A PREGNANCY
Fertilisation takes place when the nuclei of a
sperm cell and an ovule join to form a cell Sperm cells
called a zygote.

Ovule
1 OVULE + 1 SPERM CELL = 1 ZYGOTE
If sperm cells find an ovule, they surround
it and try to penetrate it, but of all of them,
only one will achive this.
5. FERTILISATION AND THE START OF A PREGNANCY
1. Ovulation: the ovule is released from the ovary.

2. Fertilisation: this happens in the Fallopian tube, within 24 hours of

ovulation, because ovules only live 24 hours after ovulation.
During sexual intercourse million of sperm cells are released into the
vagina. Most will die, but some swim into the uterus and up to the
Fallopian tube. Sperm cells can survive in the female reproductive
system for 3-5 days.

3. The zygote divides into two cells. These cells continue dividing.

4. After a few days the ball of cells (blastocyst) enters the uterus.

5. A week after fertilisation, the ball of cells implants itself in the

endometrium. The inner cells will become the embryo, and the outer
cells will become tissues that feed and protect the embryo.
5. FERTILISATION AND THE START OF A PREGNANCY
PROTECTING AND FEEDING THE EMBRYO
Placenta

ER
TH
Umbilical

O
M
cord

Embryo

Amniotic
sac Amniotic fluid
PROTECTING AND FEEDING THE EMBRYO
Placenta

ER
Umbilical

TH
cord

CO bs
O

su
M

2 tan
an ce
d s
w
as
O2

te
nu an
tri d
en
ts

Embryo

Amniotic
sac Amniotic fluid
PROTECTING AND FEEDING THE EMBRYO

The embryo’s blood does not mix with the mother’s blood, but
substances are exchanged in the placenta: oxygen and
nutrients pass from the mother into the embryo’s blood;
carbon dioxide and other waste substances pass back into the
mother’s blood.

The embryo receives nutrients and oxygen from the placenta

through the umbilical cord. Carbon dioxide and other waste
substances are also removed through the umbilical cord.

The amniotic sac contains amniotic fluid which protects the

embryo.
Embarazos múltiples
GEMELOS MELLIZOS
(Identical twins) (Non-identical twins)
Se produce la fecundación
Se produce la fecundación de dos óvulos por dos
de un solo óvulo por un espermatozoides.
espermatozoide y el cigoto
se divide en dos.
Dos placentas
diferentes
Una única placenta
6. PREGNANCY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE EMBRYO

Human pregnancies are normally 9 months long. The pregnancy

is divided into three trimesters.
 6. PREGNANCY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE EMBRYO
First trimester
Embryo
During the first four weeks
the embryo, amniotic sac
and placenta start to form.
The heart starts to develop,
as well as the brain and
spinal cord, and the blood
circulation begins. Arms,
legs, eyes and ears start to
form. At the end of the first
trimester we call it fetus. Its
major organs are
developing.
Second trimester Third trimester
Fetus
The fetus grows
The baby gains weight.
quickly. It grows hair, The baby moves into a
eyebrows and head-down position,
eyelashes. The ready for birth. Babies
mother can feel the born in the third
fetus move. It trimester can survive
responds to touch and with modern medical
sound.
care. The earlier they
are born, the more care
they will need.
7. CHILDBIRTH

Childbirth is when the baby leaves the mother´s body. There are
three stages:

•Dilation of the cervix: this begins with the contractions of the walls
of the uterus and the dilation of the cervix. The contractions cause
the rupture of the bag of amniotic fluid and the amniotic fluid
escapes (water breaking).

•Expulsion of the fetus: the contractions of the uterus and the

pressure of the abdominal muscles push the fetus along the vagina
to the exterior.

•Expulsion of the placenta: once the new-born baby is on the

outside, the umbilical cord is cut (the scar left by the umbilical cord
is the navel). Later the placenta is released from the walls of the
uterus and is expelled together with the other remains.
7. CHILDBIRTH
 8. INFERTILITY AND ASSISTED REPRODUCTION
Infertility refers to the inability to have children using natural methods. It can
occur in both men and women, and there are many different causes:

Male infertility Female infertility

Low sperm No ovulation,
count or problems
with ovulation

Fallopian tubes
Defective obstruction
sperm

Uterine abnormalities
Sperm incompatible which make it difficult
with vaginal mucus for the zygote to
implant
 8. INFERTILITY AND ASSISTED REPRODUCTION

Artificial insemination In-vitro fertilisation (IVF)

Sperm cells
Sperm cells
IVF
Uterus Embryos

Semen is inserted
into the uterus Ovules
Embryos are
implanted in the
It involves inserting semen into uterus
the uterus artificially around the
time of ovulation. If the male It involves fertilising the ovule outside
partner is infertile, semen from the woman’s body (in a laboratory)
and then implanting the fertilised
another man (a sperm donor)
ovule in the uterus.
can be used.
 9. CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS

-Barrier methods: these methods physically prevent

sperm from reaching the ovule. They include: condom,
diaphragm and intrauterine device.
-Chemical methods: these methods use chemical
barriers and include spermicides and the pill.
-Surgical methods: these simple interventions are used
to prevent fertilisation permanently. They are tying of the
Fallopian tubes for women and vasectomy for men.
9. CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS
MECHANICAL BARRIERS

These methods physically prevent sperm from reaching the

ovule. They include: condom, diaphragm and intrauterine
device.

Female
condom

Intrauterine
device

Male condom Diaphragm

9. CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS
CHEMICAL METHODS

These methods use chemical barriers and include spermicides and

the pill.

Spermicides

The pill
9. CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS
SURGICAL METHODS

These simple interventions are used to prevent fertilisation

permanently. They are tying of the Fallopian tubes for women and
vasectomy for men.

TYING OF THE FALLOPIAN TUBES VASECTOMY

Enfermedades de transmisión sexual (ETS)
Categoría: hongo
Nombre: Candida albicans
(Candidiasis)
Síntomas de la enfermedad:
picor y secreción vaginal blanca
Categoría: bacteria
Nombre: Neisseria gonorroheae
(Gonorrea)
Síntomas de la enfermedad:
inflamación y micción dolorosa
Categoría: bacteria
Nombre: Treponema pallidum
(Sífilis)
Síntomas de la enfermedad:
ulceras externas, lesiones internas
Categoría: virus
Nombre: Herpesvirus
(Herpes genital)
Síntomas de la enfermedad:
llagas y ampollas
Categoría: virus
Nombre: hepatitis B y hepatitis C
Síntomas de la enfermedad:
dolor, debilidad, acumulación de
sustancias tóxicas en sangre
Categoría: virus
Nombre: sida. Virus de la
inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH)
Síntomas de la enfermedad:
múltiples infecciones y muerte
 Interpretación de ecografías

Huesos

Color blanco
brillante

Órganos internos

Imagen más oscura

y menos nítida OTRA
 Interpretación de ecografías

Huesos

Color blanco
brillante

Órganos internos

Imagen más oscura

y menos nítida OTRA
 Interpretación de ecografías

Huesos

Color blanco
brillante

Órganos internos

Imagen más oscura

y menos nítida
ACTIVITIES

1. What is the difference between puberty and

adolescence?

Adolescence is the period when we mature

into adults, physically, socially and emotionally.

Puberty is the first phase of adolescence,

when we acquire the capacity to reproduce.
2. For males and females, make a list of
secondary sexual characteristics.

• Boys: the skeletal muscles increase;

development of pubic hair, the beard, and hear
over a large part of the body; the voice become
deeper; the penis and testicles increase size
and they start producing sperm cells.

• Girls: hips widen and the waist gets narrower,

hair appears in the armpits and the pubic area.
Breasts develop and menstruation starts
because the ovules start maturing in the ovaries.
3. Gonads are organs that produce gametes.
What are the male and female gonads
called?

Male gonads are the testicles.

Female gonads are the ovaries.
4. What is the semen? What does it
contain?

It is formed by sperm cells and liquids

produced by the prostate and seminal
vesicles
5. What is the vulva? What structures
does it consist of? Is the vagina part of
the vulva?

The vulva is the external part of the female

reproductive system. It consist of the labia
majora, the labia minora and the clitoris.

The vagina is not a part of the vulva.

6. Write down the path that:
a) An ovule takes from where it is released
to where it develops into a baby.
Ovaries-Fallopian tubes-uterus.

b) A sperm takes from where it is produced

to where it leaves the man’s body.
Testicles-vas deferens-urethra.
7. Answer these questions about the menstrual cycle:

a) On which day of the cycle is an ovule released into the Fallopian tubes.
Day 14
b) Which hormone causes the endometrium to thicken?
Estrogens
c) Which hormone prepares and maintains the uterus for the implantation of
the embryo?
Progesterone
d) What happens if the ovule is not fertilised?
The endometrium starts to break down.
e) Why does the level of progesterone remain high if the woman becomes
pregnant?
Because the corpus luteum continues to produce progesterone.
f) Why can’t women normally have children after the age of 50?
Because they stop releasing ovules, this is called menopause.
8. Where does fertilisation take place?
In the Fallopian tubes.
9. What is the name of the ball of cells
that implants itself in the
endometrium?
Blastocyst
10. The placenta contains lots of blood vessels
with thin walls. Why do you think it is?

Because substances are exchanged through

them:

• Nutrients and oxygen pass from the mother

into the embryo's blood.

• Carbon dioxide and other waste substances

pass back into the mother's blood.
11. What is the purpose of:

• Amniotic fluid.
The purpose of the amniotic fluid is to protect
the embryo.

• The umbilical cord.

The purpose of the umbilical cord is to carry
subtances from the embryo to the placenta
and from the placenta to the embryo.
12. For how many days before and after
ovulation is a woman fertile? Explain
your answer. Think about how long
sperm and ovule can survive.

From days 9 to 15 of the menstrual cycle.

Because the ovule is released on day 14,

and is alive for 24 hours (days 14 and 15).
And sperm cells can live inside the female
reproductive system for 3-5 days.
13. What happens when the mother’s
water breaks?

The amniotic sac breaks and the

amniotic fluid comes out.
14. What happens to the umbilical cord
after the baby is born?

It is cut, the scar left by the umbilical cord

is the navel
15. Which contraceptive method protects
against sexually transmitted
infections?
Condom
16. Apart from condoms, can you think of
any male contraceptive methods?
Vasectomy