Grade 12 Life Science Human Reproduction Notes
Grade 12 Life Science Human Reproduction Notes
Grade 12 Life Science Human Reproduction Notes
Human Reproduction
Introduction
Structure of Male Reproductive System
Structure of Female Reproductive System
Main Changes that occur during Puberty
Gametogenesis
Menstrual Cycle
Fertilization and Embryonic Development
Implantation and Development
Gestation
Role of Placenta
There are2 types of reproduction.
These are…
1. Sexual and
2. Asexual reproduction
We are studying reproduction in humans.
Therefore we need to know what is sexual
reproduction.
Sexual reproduction is reproduction
that occurs with the use of gametes.
Inhumans fertilization occurs during sexual
reproduction.
This means a haploid sperm fuses with a haploid
egg to form a diploid zygote.
The zygote has 46 chromosomes or 23 pairs of
It is known as puberty.
During puberty meiosis occurs in the male and female
reproductive organs to produce the gametes.
Since the gametes are produced by meiosis, each
gamete will have a haploid number of chromosomes
and each egg or sperm will be genetically different
from the other.
Both the egg and sperm have 23 chromosomes each.
Therefore when the haploid sperm fuses with the
haploid egg a diploid zygote is formed.
The cycle starts over.
Humans show a great deal of variation and for each
cell in the body of every human has 46 chromosomes.
This is possible because …
1. Meiosis is responsible for halving the chromosome
number, thus prevents the doubling effect
2. Meiosis is responsible for variation because it
ensures that the sex cells are different from each
other.
TERM:
Sexual reproduction
DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:
Puberty
DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:
There are 2
fallopian
tubes.
They lead from the
ovary to the uterus.
They transport the
egg from the ovary
to the uterus. The female reproductive
system
3. The Uterus…
The uterus is a
hollow pear shaped
organ.
It has thick muscular
walls.
The lining of the
uterus is called the
endometrium.
The female reproductive
system
The neck of the uterus
is called the cervix
The embryo is attached
to the wall of the
uterus.
The uterus is leads to
the vagina.
4. The Vagina…
Males:
1. Development of pubic hair, this is the growth of
hair around the scrotum.
2. Growth of hair in the armpits and on the face.
3. Deepening of the voice
4. Development of muscles and broadening of the
shoulders.
Females:
1. Growth of pubic hair, this is hair around the
vagina.
2. Growth of hair in armpits.
3. Increase in the size of the breasts.
4. Onset of menstruation.
Gametogenesis refers to the process by
which gametes are produced from the germinal
epithelium of the male and female gonads or sex
organs.
There are 2 types of gametogenesis .
These are…
1. Spermatogenesis
2. Oogenesis
Spermatogenesis…
Structure of Spermatozoa
Remember that the spermatozoa are also called
sperms.
Each sperm is made up of 3 parts.
These 3 parts are the…
1. Head
2. Middle piece and
3. Tail
The head is made up of
a nucleus.
The nucleus has 23
chromosomes.
These are 22 autosomes
and a gonosome which
maybe X or Y.
The head also contains
the acrosome.
The acrosome has an A Sperm
enzyme that plays a role
in penetrating the
ovum.
The middle piece has
a large number of
mitochondria.
The mitochondria
contains
mitochondrial DNA.
The mitochondria
provides energy for
movement of the
sperm.
The tail is long and is
used for swimming. A Sperm
A common question asked here is to draw
and label the sperm.
Please learn to draw and label the
sperm.
Remember by drawing an learning the labels you
will be able to describe the structure of the
sperm to!!!
Oogenesis:
Gametogenesis
DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:
Spermatogenesis
DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:
Oogenesis
DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:
called oestrogen.
The oestrogen is involved in preparation of the
uterus for pregnancy.
This is achieved by making the endometrium…
a. Thicker
b. Having an increased supply of blood vessels
c. More glandular
After about 14 days the Graafian follicle raptures
to release an egg.
This process is called ovulation.
Ovulation is the process during which the mature
egg is released from the Graafian follicle.
The funnels of the fallopian tube collects the egg.
The ruptured Graafian follicle becomes the
corpus luteum.
The conversion of the ruptured Graafian follicle
into the corpus luteum is controlled by a
hormone.
This hormone is called the luteinising
hormone.
This hormone is produced by the pituitary gland.
The corpus luteum secretes a hormone.
To summarize…
The ovarian cycle describes the formation of the
ovum within the ovary until it is released and the
corpus luteum is formed.
The uterine cycle describe the changes that occur in
the uterine wall as the body prepare itself for
pregnancy.
Both the ovarian and uterine cycle makes up the
menstrual cycle.
The hormones progesterone and oestrogen are
involved in maintaining pregnancy.
The hormones FSH and LH controls the menstrual
cycle.
Menstrual cycle
DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:
Ovulation
DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:
Menstruation
DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:
Blastocyst
DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:
The embryo is
comma-shaped.
It is about 5mm in
diameter.
The head, eyes and
ears start to
develop.
Embryo at 4 weeks
A brain begins to
develop within the
head.
3. 12 weeks…
Foetus
DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:
2. The Amnion…
It is found on the
inside of the chorion.
It forms a cavity called
the amniotic cavity.
The amniotic cavity is
filled with a fluid.
This fluid is called the
amniotic fluid.
Chorion
DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:
Amnion
DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:
1. Condom
It contains
synthetic
hormones .
These hormones
prevents the
production of the Contraceptive Pills
egg.
6. Spermicides
These have a
chemical substance.
The chemical
substance kills the
sperm.
It prevents the
sperm from
entering the cervix.
Therefore it acts as a Spermicides
barrier.
7. Contraceptive
Injections
They contain
hormones.
Progesterone or a
combination of
oestrogen and
progesterone.
It functions to stop
ovulation.
Contraceptive Injection
It works for about 2 to
3 months.
8. Male sterilization
most
This method is
unreliable!!!!
11. Rhythm
Contraceptives
DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE: