DO NOW:

LIST THE FIRST FIVE WORDS THAT COME TO MIND WHEN YOU THINK OF THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM.

NO SLANG PLEASE!

• The main functions of the female reproductive system are to produce eggs, which are the female sex cells, to receive sperm, and to provide an environment in which a fertilized egg can develop.

Human Female AnatomyHuman Female Anatomy

Human Female AnatomyHuman Female AnatomyFallopian

tubeOvary

Uterus

Cervix

Vagina

Rectum

Urethra

Fallopian tube

Ovary

Uterus

Ligament

Cervix

Vagina

Bladder

Bone

• Egg production takes place in the two ovaries.

• One ovary is located on each side of the lower part of the abdomen.

• The egg is also known as an ovum

Human Female AnatomyHuman Female Anatomy

Human Female AnatomyHuman Female AnatomyFallopian

tubeOvary

Uterus

Cervix

Vagina

Rectum

Urethra

Fallopian tube

Ovary

Uterus

Ligament

Cervix

Vagina

Bladder

Bone

• Contractions of the muscles in the wall of the fallopian tube work with beating cilia to move the egg through the tube.

• The human uterus is found between the bladder and the rectum and is the size and shape of an inverted pear.

Human Female AnatomyHuman Female Anatomy

Human Female AnatomyHuman Female AnatomyFallopian

tubeOvary

Uterus

Cervix

Vagina

Rectum

Urethra

Fallopian tube

Ovary

Uterus

Ligament

Cervix

Vagina

Bladder

Bone

• The uterine wall is composed of three layers: an outer layer of connective tissue; a thick, muscular middle layer; and a thin, inner lining called the endometrium (en doh MEE tree um).

• If fertilization occurs, the uterus is the site where the zygote implants itself.

Human Female AnatomyHuman Female Anatomy

Human Female AnatomyHuman Female AnatomyFallopian

tubeOvary

Uterus

Cervix

Vagina

Rectum

Urethra

Fallopian tube

Ovary

Uterus

Ligament

Cervix

Vagina

Bladder

Bone

Puberty in FemalesPuberty in Females• Like males, puberty in females begins when the

hypothalamus signals the pituitary to produce and release the hormones FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) and LH (Luteinizing Hormone.

• In females, FSH stimulates the development of follicles in the ovary.

• A follicle is a group of epithelial cells that surround a developing egg cell.

Egg released

Follicle

ruptures

Egg

Follicle

Corpusluteum

Ovary

Vagina

fallopian tube Uterus

• FSH also causes the release of the hormone estrogen from the ovary.

Puberty in FemalesPuberty in Females

Egg released

Follicle

ruptures

Egg

Follicle

Corpusluteum

Ovary

Vagina

fallopian tube UterusPuberty in FemalesPuberty in Females

• Estrogen is the steroid hormone responsible for the secondary sex character-istics of females.

Production of eggsProduction of eggs

• Even before a female is born, her body begins to develop eggs.

• During this prenatal period, cells in her ovaries divide until the first stage of meiosis, prophase I, is reached.

• At this point, the cells go into a resting stage.

Production of eggsProduction of eggs

• At birth, a female’s ovaries contain about two million of these potential eggs, which are called primary oocytes.

• At puberty, a female’s ovaries contain about 40,000 primary oocytes.

Sex Cell ProductionSex Cell Production

Egg FormationSperm Formation

Oogonium

ZygoteSecond polar body

(degenerates)

Primary oocyte(2n)

Secondary oocyte (n)Release into fallopian tube

Sperm

First polar body (degenerates)

Spermatogonium

Mature sperm cells

Spermatids

Secondaryspermatocytes (n)

Primaryspermatocytes (2n)First meioticdivision

Secondmeioticdivision

Egg production

Secondary oocyteformation

Ovulation Sperm production

How eggs are releasedHow eggs are released

• About once a month, beginning at puberty, the process of meiosis starts up again in several of the prophase I cells.

• Each cell completes meiosis I and begins meiosis II.

• During meiosis II, one of the egg cells ruptures from the ovary and passes into the fallopian tube.

Egg released

Follicle

ruptures

Egg

Follicle

Corpusluteum

Ovary

Vagina

fallopian tube Uterus

• The process of the egg rupturing through the ovary wall and moving into the fallopian tube is called ovulation.

How eggs are releasedHow eggs are released

Egg released

Follicle

ruptures

Egg

Follicle

Corpusluteum

Ovary

Vagina

fallopian tube UterusHow eggs are releasedHow eggs are released

• A total of about 400 eggs are ovulated during the reproductive life of a female.

• Fertilization, if it takes place, usually occurs in the fallopian tube.

BASIC ANATOMY.

MAP QUEST (p. 10 in packet)HELP! One of the ovum wasn’t paying attention during the female-egg direction lesson (were you?). She can’t remember how to get from the ovary to where she’s supposed to go.

Write out a set of MAPQUEST directions for her so she knows where to go! Your directions must have at least 5 steps and include all the major parts of the female reproductive system.

Good luck. The fate of this ignorant egg is in your hands!!