Table of ContentsFemale Reproductive SystemMale Reproductive SystemReproductive ProcessThe Menstrual CycleFemale Reproductive SystemThere are several organs and tissues that make up the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, the vulva and mammary glands. and breasts. They also participate in the production and transport of gametes as well as the production of sex hormones. The female reproductive system is also responsible for fertilizing eggs by sperm and supporting the development of offspring during the process of pregnancy and infancy. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essayThe ovaries are located in the abdominal cavity, they are held in place by ligaments. The surface of the ovaries is covered with germinal epithelial tissue made up of cells called Oogonia. These cells produce eggs. Oogonia cells undergo mitosis to produce primary oocytes, diploid cells, and follicular cells responsible for protecting and nourishing the egg before it is released into the oviducts during ovulation. The funnel of the fallopian tube is located near the ovary. This funnel is lined with fimbrae, finger-like structures that, when activated by hormones, capture a released egg and move it down the fallopian tube. The fimbrae are lined with cilia. Secondary oocytes (the oocyte created by the first division of meiosis) are pushed down the fallopian tube by the cilia and muscles of the fallopian tubes. These fallopian tubes lead to the uterus and join the uterus at a point called the uterine horn. The myometrium is the name of the smooth muscle that makes up the uterus. The uterus is lined with the endometrium, a tissue with a strong blood supply. The blastocyst will become embedded in this tissue. The lower end of the uterus has an opening called the cervix. The cervix leads to the vagina, which allows the cervix to be connected to the external environment through the vulva. The vulva is made up of several folds of skin called labia. There are two inner folds called the labia minora and two outer folds called the labia majora. The clitoris is also part of the female reproductive system, it is a small body of erectile tissue enclosed in the labia. It is a very sensitive tissue that swells with blood during sexual stimulation. Male Reproductive System The male reproductive system is responsible for the production, maintenance and transport of sperm and protective fluids. Sperm and protective fluids must be passed into the female reproductive tract during sexual intercourse. There are three important glands in the male reproductive system that have ducts joining the urethra. These glands are called seminal vesicles, prostate and Cowper's gland. These glands are responsible for nourishing the sperm and increasing their pH, they do this by secreting fluids. The purpose of making semen alkaline is to neutralize the acidic conditions of the urethra and vagina. If the sperm pH were more acidic, the chances of conception could be impaired. Each testis is divided into several different compartments called lobules which contain the seminiferous tubules. These seminiferous tubules are lined with a layer of cells called germinal epithelial cells. Inside the seminiferous tubules are cells called spermatogonia that produce sperm. These spermatogonia cells undergo mitosis to produce primary spermatocytes (diploid cells). The seminiferous tubules connect together to form a network oftubules, this network is called the efferent canal. These then connect and form the epididymis which is a long tube located outside the testicle. The epididymis connects to the vas deferens which leaves the scrotal sac and then joins the urethra. Sperm is stored in these sections of the testicle until ejaculation occurs. During the process of ejaculation, sperm and fluids are released into the urethra and released through the tip of the penis. This mixture of sperm and fluid is called semen. Reproductive Process Gamete Production Gamete production is known as gametogenesis and occurs in the gonads. Sex cells develop in the testes and ovaries during gametogenesis through the process of meiosis. During gametogenesis, meiosis produces haploid gametes. This is done in order to produce diploid offspring during fertilization. Spermatogenesis Spermatogenesis is the process of formation of sperm in the testes. This process takes place in the seminiferous tubules and begins when a male reaches puberty. Spermatogonia cells undergo mitosis to produce primary spermatocytes. These primary spermatocytes then divide via meiosis to form secondary spermatocytes which develop into spermatids. Spermatids contain the correct number of chromosomes to be classified as gametes, but they do not have the structure of a sperm. They do not have certain organelles like the flagellum that can help them swim to the egg cell. For spermatids to develop into mature sperm, they must be nourished and protected. There are Sertoli cells present in the wall of the seminiferous tubules which secrete a fluid which nourishes and protects the spermatids. Testosterone stimulates Sertoli cells, testosterone is released by a cell near the seminiferous tubules called Leydig cells. Hormonal control of spermatogenesis The hypothalamus releases a hormone called Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) which stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to release follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). FSH travels to the testes to the spermatogenic cells of the seminiferous tubules which will stimulate spermatogenesis. LH will move towards the interstitial cells which will then release testosterone. In certain target tissues, testosterone will be converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT and testosterone will bind to certain target receptors called androgen receptors in specific target tissues and are responsible for secondary sexual characteristics such as facial hair in men. Testosterone and FSH also travel to Sertoli cells which release androgen binding protein (ABP). The effect of ABP is the exertion of tropic effects on spermatogenesis. When spermatogenesis reaches a certain level, Sertoli cells release inhibin which inhibits the release of FSH. Testosterone will also inhibit the anterior pituitary gland and hypothalamus. Oogenesis Oogenesis is the process of formation of eggs in the ovaries. It begins before birth, when the female is a fetus. Oognoia divide to form primary oocytes. Hormonal control of oogenesis Cells located in the germinal epithelium divide to form follicular cells. These follicular cells then surround the primary oocytes to form primary follicles. Meiosis then begins in primary oocytes but stops at prophase 1. During puberty, FSH is produced by the pituitary gland and stimulates the development of primary follicular cells. Some follicles will begin to.