Human Reproduction
Grade 12 – Life Science – Term 1 – Dr Ross
07/03/2024 Grade 12 – Life Science – Term 1 – Dr Ross 1
Grade 12 – Life Science – Term 1 – Dr Ross
Important videos:
Grade 12 – Life Science – Term 1 – Dr Ross
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2G1XWVs69g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcGDUcGjcyk
Crash Course – Hank:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFDatCchpus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XQcnO4iX_U
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07/03/2024
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Sexual Reproduction
Sexual reproduction involves the production of a
new individual from the FUSION of two GAMETES
– a sperm and an egg cell.
In humans, fertilisation of the egg by the sperm
occurs within the body of the female.
That means the male has to deposit his sperm
into the vagina of the female ensuring a process
called COPULATION.
The fertilised egg (zygote) develops in the
mother’ womb (uterus) for 9 months.
The baby that is born ha features of both parents
and has to be taken care of by the parents.
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HUMAN REPRODUCTION
Grade 12 – Life Science – Term 1 – Dr Ross
All organisms must reproduce to ensure
the survival of the species.
Revision of the role of meiosis,
mitosis and fertilisation in the human life
cycle
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HUMAN REPRODUCTION
Grade 12 – Life Science – Term 1 – Dr Ross
All the body cells (somatic
cells) of a human being are
diploid (2n) i.e., have two
sets of each chromosome.
For humans to grow or to
repair damaged tissues, the
somatic cells divide by
mitosis.
The new cells produced by
mitosis are identical to the
original cells which divided.
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Sexual reproduction
requires two parents.
Both the male and the
Grade 12 – Life Science – Term 1 – Dr Ross
female produce gametes
(egg and sperm) by a
reduction division referred
to as meiosis.
Meiosis ensures that the
gametes are haploid i.e.,
they have only one set of
chromosomes.
When two gametes fuse (a
sperm and an egg) as a
result of fertilisation, a
diploid zygote is formed.
The zygote then divides by
mitosis to form a human.
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The male reproductive system
The male reproductive system
consists of:
• The main male sex organ – a
pair of testes in the scrotum
which produce sperm and the
hormone testosterone
• Various ducts and tubules –
seminiferous tubules,
epididymis, vas deferens (sperm
duct) and the urethra
• THREE accessory glands:
prostate gland, Cowper’s gland and
seminal vesicles
• The external genitalia – penis
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The Testes
• The testes contain seminiferous
Grade 12 – Life Science – Term 1 – Dr Ross
tubules.
• The tubules are lined by germinal
epithelium cells which produce sperm
cells.
• Some of the cells develop into Sertoli
cells which provide nutrients for the
spermatids to become mature sperm
cells.
• The seminiferous tubules are
surrounded by connective tissue that
contain the Cells of Leydig which
produce testosterone.
Testosterone has the following functions:
• development of the male secondary
sexual characteristics
• stimulating the maturation of sperm cells
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Why are the testes outside the body?
It is vitally important that the testes are suspended on the
outside of the body, as this allows for temperature
regulation to occur.
The optimum temperature for sperm production is 2 to 3°C
lower than normal body temperature (37°C).
If the temperature in the scrotum is high, it interferes with
the quality of the sperm resulting in male infertility.
By having the testes suspended in the scrotum, the
temperature of the testes can be adjusted by moving the
testes closer to the body in cold conditions or further away
from the body during warm conditions.
The male reproductive system:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k60M1h-DKVY
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The female
reproductive
system
•The female reproductive
structure consists of:
• the main female sex organ –
the ovaries (singular: ovary)
• the oviduct/fallopian tubes
• the accessory organs – the
uterus and the vagina
• the external genitalia – the
vulva
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PURPOSE AND PUBERTY
“The main purpose of reproduction is for the
gametes (male, and female sex cells) to combine
for the continuation of the species”
Grade 12 – Life Science – Term 1 – Dr Ross
Puberty is the stage in the human life cycle when
sexual 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
(testosterone and oestrogen)
Testosterone (from the testes) and oestrogen (from
the ovaries) cause secondary sexual characteristics
such as menstruation, breast development, pubic hair,
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facial hair, deepening of the male voice.
Puberty
Tabulate the difference between males and
females during puberty
Puberty is the period during
which males and females
reach sexual maturity.
Puberty usually begins
between the ages of 11 to 15,
though it may occur much
earlier or later depending on
the individual.
During puberty, the sex
hormones are produced
which stimulate
gametogenesis and sexual
maturity.
At the same time secondary
sexual characteristics
develop.
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Gametogenesis
Gametogenesis is the term used to describe the
process by which gametes are produced from the
germinal epithelium in the sex organs. It starts at
puberty. Has mitochondria
to supply energy
Spermatogenesis leads to the production of sperm. for swimming
Middle piece
The ovaries produce ova through oogenesis.
Acrosome
The production of gametes is controlled by sex Produces
hormones enzymes to
dissolve the
Gametes are produced by the process of meiosis surface of
the egg
This causes all gametes to be HAPLOID and each
gamete carries unique genetic information. A SPERMATOZOON
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Oogenesis The nucleus contains 22 autosomes and
one sex chromosome (X)
Oogenesis is the production of female gametes (ova / egg cells) • The cytoplasm nourishes the egg
in the ovaries of a
• The jelly layer provides protection for
female. It occurs when the diploid germinal epithelium of the
ovaries starts to the early developmental stages of the
produce follicles by mitosis. fertilised egg
Oogenesis takes place as follows:
• The diploid germinal epithelium cells (2n) of the ovaries go
through the
• process of mitosis to form many follicles
• Every 28 days, the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
stimulates one follicle.
• Only one cell inside of that follicle enlarges and goes through
the process of
• meiosis
• Out of the 4 (four) haploid cells produced through meiosis,
only one cell will
• survive to form a mature ovum
• The other three cells from meiosis will degenerate
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Gametes or sex cells are formed during the
process called gametogenesis through meiosis. In SPERMATOGENESIS:
Give a detailed explanation of gametogenesis Diploid cells in the seminiferous tubules of the
testes undergo meiosis
Gametogenesis is a process in which an organism to form haploid sperm cells.
Grade 12 – Life Science – Term 1 – Dr Ross
makes gametes, the sex cells which are used in
sexual reproduction. Each gamete contains half the Both processes rely on meiosis, a cell division
genetic material of the parent organism (diploid to technique which ends with four cells containing half
haploid). When it fuses with another gamete, it the DNA of the parent cell. Such cells are known as
makes a complete set of DNA. haploid, in contrast with their diploid parent cells
which contain a complete set of DNA.
Gametogenesis occurs in both males and females.
Female organisms produce eggs or oocytes in a In the male, the process starts in the testes or gonads,
process known as oogenesis, while male organisms the organs specifically used for gametogenesis. The
make sperm in spermatogenesis. cells in the testes split in two, making two smaller cells
with half the DNA of the parent cell. Each of these
In OOGENESIS: daughter cells duplicates. At the end of meiosis, four
Diploid cells in the ovary undergo meiosis haploid cells have been produced and these cells can
to form a primary follicle consisting of haploid mature into gametes and fertilise or be fertilised,
cells. depending on whether they are sperm or oocytes .
One cell develops into an ovum contained in a
Graafian follicle.
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Activity 2: Gametogenesis, page 80
1. Name the organ where meiosis takes
place in the male and female
reproductive systems, respectively. (2)
In males, meiosis occurs in the testes
and in females meiosis occurs in the
ovaries .
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2. Define gametogenesis.
Gametogenesis is the process in
which cells undergo meiosis to
form gametes
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3. Name the type of gametogenesis that
takes place in the male and female
reproductive systems, respectively. (2)
Gametogenesis in males is called
spermatogenesis and in females it is
known as oogenesis
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4. Draw a fully labelled diagram of an ovum. (5)
Structure of ovum 1 mark for title,
1 mark for actual drawing,
3 marks for any 3 correct labels.
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5. Discuss the functions of the four main parts of a sperm cell. (8)
acrosome – contains enzymes to penetrate the ovum
head – contains the nucleus with the male genetic information
middle portion – contains many mitochondria to provide energy for the sperm cell
to swim
tail – propels the sperm cell forward / allows the sperm to swim
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The Menstrual Cycle
•The menstrual cycle occurs in two parts of the
reproductive system but at the same time.
•You have to be able to discuss what is happening in
both of these cycles with regards to the development
of the ova and the endometrium under hormonal
control.
Grade 12 – Life Science – Term 1 – Dr Ross
•The hormones (follicle stimulating hormone,
oestrogen, luteinising hormone and progesterone) are
important not only in the development of the ova and
endometrium but also with regards to their negative
feedback mechanism.
•You must be able to interpret and provide information
as to what is happening in graphs
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The Menstrual Cycle
The events occurring in the ovary
(OVARIAN CLYLE) and uterus
(UTERINE CYCLE) during the
menstrual cycle
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Hormonal Control of
the Menstrual Cycle
Changes in the ovary,
uterus and in the level
of hormones during a
28-day menstrual cycle
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Hormonal Control of the Menstrual
Cycle The hormonal changes that take place at A, B, C and D in the
graph
Changes in the ovary, uterus and in
the level of hormones during a 28-
day menstrual cycle
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Questions on
the hormonal
changes
during the
menstrual
cycle
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Answers
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Fertilisation & development of zygote to blastocyst
During copulation (sexual intercourse) the penis is inserted into the vagina and sperm
cells are released through ejaculation close to the cervix. The sperm cells swim
through the cervix up into the uterus and through the fallopian tubes.
The haploid ovum released during ovulation enters the fallopian tubes. If an ovum
(haploid) is present in the fallopian tubes, one sperm cell (haploid) may penetrate
through the jelly layer and fertilise the ovum resulting in a diploid zygote. The nucleus
of the ovum and the nucleus of the sperm cell fuse resulting in fertilisation.
The zygote divides by mitosis as it moves down the fallopian tube towards the
uterus. Mitosis continues and a solid ball of cells known as the morula is formed. The
morula develops into a hollow fluid-filled ball of cells called the blastocyst. Once the
ovum is fertilised it takes approximately 5 days to form the blastocyst.
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Grade 12 – Life Science – Term 1 – Dr Ross
Implantation of the blastocyst and gestation
The blastocyst moves from the fallopian tube into the uterus where it embeds
itself into the endometrium. This is known as implantation and takes place as
follows:
• The outer cells of the blastocyst secrete enzymes which break down a small
• portion of the thickened uterine wall causing it to become softer
• The blastocyst sinks into this softer area and the outer layers develop into two
• extra-embryonic membranes called the amnion and the chorion
• The chorion extends finger-like outgrowths called the chorionic villi into the
• endometrium and form part of the placenta which secretes progesterone.
• The blastocyst is now called the embryo
The gestation period, also known as pregnancy, is the time in which the embryo
develops inside the uterus. Gestation and the development of the embryo lasts for
about 40 weeks or 280 days. After 12 weeks the embryo is known as a foetus.
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The chorion, on the
outside, forms the
chorionic villi. The inner
membrane, the amnion,
becomes filled with
amniotic fluid to form the
Grade 12 – Life Science – Term 1 – Dr Ross
amniotic sac. The amniotic
fluid has the following
functions: Foetus
• Protects the foetus
against mechanical
injury (shock-absorber)
• Prevents dehydration
• Maintains the
temperature of the
foetus
• Allows for free-
movement of the foetus
as it grows and
develops
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The umbilical cord attaches the foetus to the
placenta, and it contains umbilical blood vessels:
• Two umbilical arteries which carry
deoxygenated blood and waste products
• from the foetus to the placenta.
• One umbilical vein which carries oxygenated
blood, nutrients, water and other substances
from the placenta to the foetus.
The placenta is a temporary organ that forms in
the area where the blastocyst implants. It allows
for substances to be transferred by diffusion
between the mother and foetus without any blood
being in direct contact. This means that the
mother and foetus’ blood never actually mixes.
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The placenta has the following functions:
• It is the point of attachment of the foetus to the mother
• It allows for diffusion of nutrients from the mother to the
foetus
• It allows for the diffusion of oxygen from the mother to
the foetus and for the diffusion of carbon dioxide from
the foetus to the mother (gas exchange)
• It allows for the diffusion of waste products from the
foetus to the mother
• After 12 weeks, the placenta secretes progesterone to
maintain the pregnancy
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Always label the
whole diagram
before you look
at the questions
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A = Placenta
B = Umbilical cord
C = Amniotic fluid
D = Vagina
E = Endometrium
4.2.2 C = prevents dessication
supports and protects the embryo from mechanical injury
Prevents changes in temperature of the foetus
4.2.3 Amniocententesis
4.2.4 Contraction of the endometrium walls of the uterus pushes the foetus out and the placenta and umbilical
cord
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