THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

I. Introduction

The lab exercises in this manual will assist you to learn the basic information about the
male and female reproductive system. The first activity is divided into two parts, A and B. The
two activities will help you recall the parts and funtions of the male and female reproductive
systems. The second activity helps you remember the menstrual cycle.

II. Objectives

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

1. Name the male and female gonads.

2. Describe the functions of each gonad.
3. List the accessory organs of the male and female reproductive system and
describe the function of each.
4. Explain the menstrual cycle and fertilization process

III. Concepts/Explanation

The major function of the reproductive system is to produce offspring. This system is also
important in the production of the male and female hormones.

A. The Male Reproductive System

The male reproductive system consists of structures that produce sperm and secrete
testosterone. Below are illustrations of the male reproductive organ (fig. 41) and the accessory
organs (fig. 42):

Figure 41. The male gonad Figure 42. The male accessory organs

The testes (male gonad) are responsible for making testosterone, the primary male sex
hormone, and for producing sperm. The other internal male reproductive organs are the following:

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Vas deferens. The vas deferens is a long, muscular tube that travels from the epididymis
into the pelvic cavity, to just behind the bladder. The vas deferens transports mature sperm to the
urethra in preparation for ejaculation.

Urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside of the body.
When the penis is erect during sex, the flow of urine is blocked from the urethra, allowing only
semen to be ejaculated at orgasm.

Seminal vesicles. The seminal vesicles produce a sugar-rich fluid (fructose) that provides
sperm with a source of energy and helps with the sperms’ motility (ability to move). The fluid of
the seminal vesicles makes up most of the volume of the semen.

Prostate gland. The prostate gland contributes additional fluid to the semen. Prostate
fluids also help to nourish the sperm..

Bulbourethral glands. The bulbourethral glands, or Cowper’s glands, produce a clear,

slippery fluid that empties directly into the urethra. This fluid serves to lubricate the urethra and to
neutralize any acidity that may be present due to residual drops of urine in the urethra.

The external male reproductive structures are the following:

Penis. The penis is the male organ for sexual intercourse. It has three parts: the root, which
attaches to the wall of the abdomen; the body, or shaft; and the glans. The glans (the head of the
penis) is covered with a loose layer of skin called foreskin, which is sometimes removed in a
procedure called circumcision. The opening of the urethra, the tube that transports semen and
urine, is at the tip of the glans penis. When the penis is erect, the flow of urine is blocked from the
urethra, allowing only semen (which contains sperm) to be ejaculated at orgasm.

Scrotum. The scrotum is the loose pouch-like sac of skin that hangs behind the penis. It
contains the testes, as well as many nerves and blood vessels. For normal sperm development, the
testes must be at a temperature slightly cooler than the body temperature.

Epididymis. The epididymis is a long, coiled tube that rests on the backside of each
testicle. It functions in the carrying and storage of the sperm cells that are produced in the testes.
It also is the job of the epididymis to bring the sperm to maturity, since the sperm that emerge from
the testes are immature and incapable of fertilization. During sexual arousal, contractions force the
sperm into the vas deferens.

B. The Female Reproductive System

The female reproductive system consists of structures that produce eggs and secrete female
sex hormones. They also provide a site for fertilization and enable the development and birth of a
fetus. The female reproductive structures include the vagina, uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.
Below are illustrations of the internal (fig. 43) and external (fig. 44) structures of the female
reproductive system:

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Figure 43. The female gonad and other accessory organs Figure 44. The vulva

The ovary (female gonad) produce eggs and hormones. They are small, oval-shaped glands
that are located on either side of the uterus. The other internal reproductive organs include:

Vagina. The vagina is a canal that joins the cervix (the lower part of uterus) to the outside
of the body. It also is known as the birth canal.

Uterus. The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ that is the home to a developing fetus.
The uterus is divided into two parts: the cervix, which is the lower part that opens into the vagina,
and the main body of the uterus, called the corpus. The corpus can easily expand to hold a
developing baby. A canal through the cervix allows sperm to enter and menstrual blood to exit.

Fallopian tubes. These are narrow tubes that are attached to the upper part of the uterus
and serve as pathways for the ova (egg cells) to travel from the ovaries to the uterus. Fertilization
of an egg by a sperm normally occurs in the fallopian tubes. The fertilized egg then moves to the
uterus, where it implants on the uterine lining.

The main external structures of the female reproductive system (vulva) include:

Labia majora. The labia majora enclose and protect the other external reproductive
organs. During puberty, hair growth occurs on the skin of the labia majora, which also contain
sweat and oil-secreting glands.

Labia minora. The labia minora can have a variety of sizes and shapes. They lie just inside
the labia majora, and surround the openings to the vagina (the canal that joins the lower part of the
uterus to the outside of the body) and urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the
outside of the body).

Bartholin’s glands. These glands are located next to the vaginal opening on each side and
produce a fluid (mucus) secretion.

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Clitoris. The two labia minora meet at the clitoris, a small, sensitive protrusion that is
comparable to the penis in males. The clitoris is covered by a fold of skin, called the prepuce,
which is similar to the foreskin at the end of the penis. Like the penis, the clitoris is very sensitive
to stimulation and can become erect.

C. The Menstrual Cycle

The length of the menstrual cycle varies from woman to woman, but the average is to have
periods every 28 days. Regular cycles that are longer or shorter than this, from 21 to 40 days, are
normal. The three phases of the menstrual cycle are as follows:

Menstrual phase (Days 1-5). This is called the “period” that lasts for 3 to 5 days. During
this phase, the endometrial lining of the uterus is sloughing off (detaching) from the uterine wall.

Proliferative phase (Days 6-14). The rising level of the hormone estrogen cause the ovary
to develop and release an egg (ovulation). The endometrial lining once again becomes velvety,
thick, and vascularized.

Secretory phase (Days 15-28). The hormone progesterone acts on the endometrium
increasing its blood supply even more which helps to prepare for implantation of a developing
embryo (if one is present).

If no fertilization occurs, the egg is reabsorbed into the body. Levels of estrogen and
progesterone fall, and the endometrial cells begin to die, which set the stage for menstrual phase
to begin again. For more information, view the menstrual cycle at
https://youtu.be/SiNHMWkJYs0.

For fertilization to occur, a sperm must reach the ovum 12 to 24 hours after ovulation. The
sperm generally survives within the female reproductive tract for 24 to 48 hours after ejaculation.
To understand further about the fertilization process, you may read any textbook on human
anatomy and physiology or view the process at https://youtu.be/_5OvgQW6FG4.

IV. Laboratory Exercises

Before you begin the activities, do the following:

o Read the chapter on digestive system in your textbook/module or go to
https://www.visiblebody.com/learn/reproductive
o Scan the objectives you are expected to accomplish during this laboratory session.
o Prepare the materials needed:
• illustration of the male and female reproductive organs
• colored pencil/pen

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Activity 1. Fill in the blanks the correct word from the Word list. Each word in the list will
only be used once.

A. Male Reproductive System (Adapted from the Year 7 Learning Activity: Menstruation and
Conception, Government of Western Australia Department of Health)

Word list:
Cowper’s gland epididymis erection
nocturnal emissions orgasm penis
prostate gland scrotum semen
seminal vesicle sperm cells testicles
urine urethra vas deferens

First, ________ are produced in the small seminiferous tubules of the ________. These
oval shaped glands are protected by a sac called the ________. After the sperm cells are produced,
they are stored in a large coiled tube on the outer surface of each testicle called the ________.
From this tube the sperm go into a larger tube called the __________, which eventually carries
them to the external male reproductive organ, the ________. Along the way sperm is nourished by
a sugary fluid from the ________ which is the most common site for cancer in men, and fluid from
the ________ which are two small glands located near the bladder.

These fluids, plus the sperm cells combine to form ________, the fluid ejaculated from the
penis during ________. Before a male can ejaculate the spongy tissue surrounding the penis
becomes engorged with blood causing the penis to become still and hard. This is known as an
________. The tube that carries the semen from the body is the ________. This tube also carries
________ from the bladder. Male can also have uncontrollable ejaculations during sleep, which
are called ________.

The development of the male reproductive system is triggered by the hormones: ________,
which causes many physical changes in a male.

B. Female Reproductive System (Adapted from the Year 7 Learning Activity: Menstruation and
Conception, Government of Western Australia Department of Health)

Word list:
Ovaries Ovulation Ovum
Progesterone Puberty Sperm Cell
Uterus Vagina Cervix
Clitoris Egg cells Estrogen
Fallopian tubes Hymen Labia
Menstruation

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First, ________ are produced in two almond-shaped organs known as the ________.
During the process of ________, a mature egg (________) is released and enters one of the two
________. For a few days the egg cell travels towards the pear-shaped ________. The lining of
this organ thickens in preparation for a fertilized egg. If the egg is not fertilized by the male
________, it will leave the body together with the lining of the uterus and a small amount of blood.
This is called ________.
The lower portion of the uterus is called the ________ and is a common site for cancer in
women. The female organ of intercourse is the ________. A circular fold of skin is usually present
at the entrance to the organ and is called the ________ . Outside of this organ are folds of skin
covered with pubic hair known as the ________. Between these skin folds is a small, round
sensitive area of skin called the ________.

The development of the female reproductive system is triggered by the hormones:

________ and ________, which causes many physical changes in a female.

Activity 2. Draw the endometrial lining in each stage of diagram. Write a paragraph
describing the menstrual cycle. Include the following keywords: uterus, egg cell, fertilization,
endometrial lining, sperm cell, mature, ovary, menstruation, ovulation, and cycle (adapted from
menstrual cycle worksheet of Katie Lu at https://www.tes.com).

Figure 45. The menstrual cycle

Write the paragraph here:

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V. Laboratory Report Sheet/Checklist (to be submitted at the end of the activity/ies)

1. What are the two major roles of the male reproductive system? _________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

2. Name two male reproductive organs and identify their functions. _______________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

3. List three general functions of the female reproductive system. _________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

4. Describe the uterus, and state its role in reproduction. ________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

5. What do estrogen and progesterone do to the lining of the uterus? ______________________

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

6. When does ovulation usually occur? ______________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
7. Describe the fertilization process. ________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Name of Student: __________________________Year & Section: _______Date of Submission: _______

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