6º Primary UNIT 2: THE REPRODUCTION FUNCTION Natural Science

1. THE REPRODUCTION FUNCTION

The reproduction function is the process by which living things have beings similar to them. This function is important
because it allows the perpetuation of the species.

Stages of life

Humans have 5 stages of growth and development. These stages are: infancy (0-5 years), childhood (6-11 years),
adolescence (12-18 years), adulthood (19-70 years) and old age (from the 70s).

 Infants are completely dependent on their parents. In this period, we learn to walk and talk.
 Children have some independence. They can put on their clothes and they can read and write.
 Teenagers are independent but they still need their parents.
 Adults are fully developed mentally, physically and emotionally. This allows them to become independent.
 In old age, the reproductive system stops working.

Sexual characteristics

The differences from birth between men and women are known as sexual characteristics. There are two types:

- Primary: they are the reproductive organs and are already formed at birth.
- Secondary: they are the physical differences that are accentuated in adolescence.
o Both. Hair grows in different parts of the body.
o Boys. Hair appears on the face; the Adam’s apple is marked; the voice changes, it becomes deeper;
the shoulders are widened.
o Girls. Breasts grow; the hips are widened.

2. REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS

The female reproductive system

1. Fallopian tubes. They

are two conduits that
communicate the ovaries
with the uterus.

2. Ovaries. They are two organs

4. Uterus. It is a cavity with thick muscular
with the size of an almond. In
walls. In it, the future baby develops.
them, eggs, which are the
reproductive female cells, are
formed and matured.

5. Vagina. It communicates the uterus with

3. Vulva. It is the external part. the outside.
6º Primary UNIT 2: THE REPRODUCTION FUNCTION Natural Science
The male reproductive system

Seminal vesicles. They are two glands which

produce seminal fluid and pour it into the
Urethra. It is the tube through urethra.
which sperm leave along with
seminal fluid.
Vas deferens. They are two very thin ducts. They
collect sperm from the testicles and transport it to
the urethra.
Penis. It is the most external
part. It contains the urethra.
Testicles. They are two external organs. They are covered
by a fold of skin called scrotum. They are responsible for
producing sperm cells, which are the male reproductive
cells.
3. FERTILISATION

Male and female reproductive cells

The reproduction of human beings is sexual, since there is genetic exchange from both parents, which produce human
beings with characteristics similar to them.

Sexual cells or gametes are called eggs and sperm. They are produced in the ovaries and the testicles respectively.

- Sperm. They move very quickly and you can distinguish three parts: head, neck and tail. They begin to form in
the testicles from puberty.
- Eggs. They have a rounded shape and are bigger. At birth, their ovaries already contain all eggs. They are in an
immature phase. From puberty, they will begin to mature and every month an egg will leave the ovary. At that
time, the eggs are prepared to be fertilised and produce a baby.

Fertilisation

When sperm meets the egg and one of them penetrates inside it, fertilisation occurs.

3. If sperm meets the 4. Then, the zygote begins 5. The embryo implants in
egg and one of them to divide and forms the the wall of the uterus and
penetrates inside it, embryo. develops.
they both unite in
fertilisation and a
zygote is formed.

1. One of the two

ovaries releases a
mature egg into the
Fallopian tubes 2. Sperm enter the
towards the uterus. woman’s body
through the vagina
and travel to the
Fallopian tubes.
6º Primary UNIT 2: THE REPRODUCTION FUNCTION Natural Science
Menstruation

If the ovule is not fertilised, it is expelled to the outside of the body through the vagina, accompanied by a small
amount of blood and tissues. This process is called period of menstruation.

Mentruation is a natural process that happens once a month, about every 28 days. It can last from two or three days
until a whole week.

4. PREGNANCY, CHILDBIRTH AND LACTATION

Pregnancy

Pregnancy is the period from fertilisation to the birth of the baby. It lasts about 9 months and during that time many
changes occur in both, the embryo and the woman’s body.

- 1st trimester. Brain, heart, arms and legs begin to develop. The embryo becomes a fetus.
- 2nd trimester. The fetus can hear, suck its fingers and open and close its eyes.
- 3rd trimester. It gains about 2.5 or 3 kilos and it is ready to live outside the mother’s womb.

At the beginning of pregnancy, two essential organs for the fetus survival are formed:

The placenta (d) is a tissue that collects the The amniotic sac (c) contains the amniotic
oxygen and nutrients needed by the fluid (a) that surrounds and protects the
embryo. The umbilical cord (b) joins the embryo.
placenta to the fetus.

Childbirth

Labour is the time of the baby’s birth, when it leaves the mother’s womb to the outside. It has three phases:

1. Dilatation. The area of the uterus connected to the vagina gradually expands to a diameter of approximately
10 centimetres. Rhythmic contractions begin. These push the baby into the vagina.
2. Expulsion. The mother pushes the baby out of her body. The umbilical cord is cut. After a few seconds, the
baby breathes in air for the first time.
3. Delivery. After a brief pause, the contractions return, more gently, to expel the placenta, the amniotic sac and
the remains of the umbilical cord.

Lactation

Lactation is the process of making human milk. Immediately after the delivery, the mother produces hormones that
make the breast secrete milk. Mother’s milk is the most appropriate food for newborns. It provides the baby with
nutrients and antibodies to prevent infections.

5. AFFECTIVE SEXUAL EDUCATION

During puberty, in addition to physical changes, our emotions, ways of thinking and the relationships we have with
others begin to change too. Some examples are:

- Independence. The relationships with parents changes, and mood changes occur.
- Body appearance. Changes in your body produces doubts regarding your image. In addition, sexuality becomes
conscious.
- Friends. You begin to show a constant interest in them.
- Identity. There is a growing need for intimacy.