Human life Flashcards
(27 cards)
Oviduct
Carries egg cells from the ovaries to the uterus
Uterus
Where the baby develops during pregnancy
Uterus lining
A blood rich lining in which an embryo implants. This lining is lost every month during menstruation
Vagina
A muscular tube that leads from the cervix to outside the body
Ovary
Contains hundreds of undeveloped egg cells. Every month, an egg cell matures and is released.
Cervix
A ring of muscle at the lower end of the uterus this keeps the baby in place during pregnancy.
Sperm duct
Carries sperm cells from the testes to the urethra
Urethra
A tube that carries urine and Semen. It has a ring of muscle to keep these fluids separate
Testis
Produces sperm cells and release the male sex hormone testosterone.
Gland
Produces fluids that mix with sperm cells to make semen
Penis
Allows urine and semen to pass out of the body
Scrotum
A bag of skin that contains the testes.
What is fertilisation
Fertilisation is process that takes place when a sperm cell meets and fuses with an egg cell. In humans, fertilisation takes place in the oviduct of the female reproductive system.
Female sex cells gamates
Egg cells are the female gametes. They are released from the ovaries and contain the genetic information from the mother. Scientists believe that females are born with a limited number of cells in their ovaries. One egg cell is released approximately every 28 days as part of the menstrual cycle.
Male sex cells gamates
Sperm cells are the male gametes. They are produced in the testes and contain the genetic information from the father. Males produce sperm cells in large numbers throughout their lives.
Head of a sperm cell
The head of the sperm cell is covered with an acrosome The acrosome releases enzymes to digest the egg cell membrane so the sperm cell can penetrate it.
The midpiece sperm cell
contains Many mitochondria, which Release energy to allow the Sperm cell to move.
The nucleus of the sperm cell
contains Many mitochondria, which Release energy to allow the Sperm cell to move.
Sperm cell tail
The sperm cell has a long tail (flagellum). This allows the sperm Cell to move towards the egg cell To fertilise it.
The cell membrane in the egg cell
The cell membrane changes after fertilisation so no more sperm can enter the egg.
The cytoplasm of the egg cell
The cytoplasm contains Nutrients to support The developing embryo after fertilisation.
The nucleus of the egg cell
The nucleus contains genetic Information from the mother. The egg cell carries half of the genetic Information that will be received by The offspring.
The large size of the egg cell
The large size of the egg Cell increases the chance of It being fertilised and allows more Space for nutrients to be stored Inside the cell.
Human sex cells have many adaptations to enable them to complete their roles in the body. Explain how the sperm cell and egg cell are adapted to carry out their functions.
The sperm cell has adapted as it has grown a flagellum to become faster and move smoother. The egg cell has adapted as after a sperm cell has entered the egg, it will create a protective shield which will not allow any other sperm cells to enter.
