8 min readConcept sheetPart II (2 marks) on parts; Part IV (7 marks) with a labelled diagram

Human reproductive systems: male and female

In males, the testes make sperms and testosterone. In females, the ovaries make ova and hormones; the fallopian tubes, uterus and vagina complete the system.

Primary sex organs (gonads)Testes in males; ovaries in females

Why the testes are in the scrotumSperms form best at a few degrees below body temperature

Site of fertilisationFallopian tube (oviduct)

SemenSperms plus fluids from the seminal vesicles, prostate gland and Cowper's glands

Male reproductive system

Part	Job
Testes (a pair, in the scrotum)	Seminiferous tubules make sperms; Leydig (interstitial) cells make testosterone; Sertoli cells nourish the developing sperms
Epididymis	Long coiled tube on each testis; stores sperms and lets them mature
Vas deferens	Tube that carries sperms from the epididymis upwards
Ejaculatory duct	Formed where the vas deferens joins the duct of the seminal vesicle; opens into the urethra
Seminal vesicles, prostate gland, Cowper's glands	Add fluids that feed the sperms and help them swim; sperms + fluid = semen
Urethra and penis	The urethra carries semen (and urine, at other times) out through the penis

Female reproductive system

Part	Job
Ovaries (a pair, in the lower abdomen)	Make ova (eggs) and the hormones estrogen (also spelt oestrogen) and progesterone
Fallopian tubes (oviducts)	Funnel-shaped ends with finger-like fimbriae catch the ovum; fertilisation happens here
Uterus (womb)	Hollow, pear-shaped, muscular organ where the baby grows; its inner lining is the endometrium
Cervix	Narrow neck of the uterus that opens into the vagina
Vagina	Muscular tube from the cervix to the outside; it is also the birth canal

How to draw the male reproductive system

1
Draw a bag hanging below the body. Label scrotum. Inside it, draw an oval. Label testis.
2
Cap the testis with a coiled tube. Label epididymis.
3
From it, draw a tube going up and looping over. Label vas deferens.
4
Draw the urinary bladder above. Behind it, draw a small sac. Label seminal vesicle.
5
Below the bladder, draw a round gland. Label prostate gland. Add a small gland further down. Label Cowper's gland.
6
Draw a tube from the bladder running down through the penis. Label urethra and penis.

How to draw the female reproductive system

1
In the middle, draw an upside-down pear. Label uterus. Shade its inner lining. Label endometrium.
2
From the top corners, draw two curved tubes going sideways. Label fallopian tube.
3
End each tube in a frilly funnel. Label fimbriae.
4
Under each funnel, draw an oval. Label ovary.
5
At the bottom of the uterus, draw a narrow neck. Label cervix.
6
Below it, draw a tube to the outside. Label vagina.

Testes vs ovaries

TestesMale gonads, in the scrotum outside the abdomen. Make sperms all through adult life. Hormone: testosterone.

OvariesFemale gonads, inside the lower abdomen. Usually release one ovum a month. Hormones: estrogen and progesterone.

In real life

At puberty, both boys and girls need more iron, calcium and protein for fast growth; greens, pulses, eggs, milk and ragi help. Wear clean, dry cotton innerwear, because tight, damp clothing traps heat and germs.

Exam angle

2 marks: “Why are the testes placed outside the body in the scrotum?” Sperms form well only at a temperature a few degrees lower than body temperature. The scrotum keeps the testes cooler.

2 marks: “Name the accessory glands of the male reproductive system.” Seminal vesicles, prostate gland and Cowper's glands.

7 marks: “Draw a labelled diagram of the female reproductive system and give the function of each part.” Diagram with ovaries, fallopian tubes, fimbriae, uterus, endometrium, cervix and vagina; one job for each part; fertilisation in the fallopian tube.

Remember it

The sperm path is 'SEVEN UP': Seminiferous tubules, Epididymis, Vas deferens, Ejaculatory duct, (Nothing), Urethra, Penis.