SSIP January 2020

LIFE SCIENCES
Topic(s) : Reproduction in
Humans
Venue:

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 SSIP AIMS/GOALS
The four interconnected outcomes that drive the professional development
activities for SSIP are:
1. Enhancing Teachers knowledge: deep understanding of subject matter
knowledge and students ideas on the content
2. Enhancing quality teaching and assessment for learning: effective
instructional approaches that teachers may use to ensure improved
understanding by most learners.
3. Developing ICT integration skills :Use of ICT to improve teaching and learning
4. Building professional learning communities: allow teachers to start
collaborating and form professional networks in non-formal settings in
context of their schools
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 PROGRAMME
Refer to page 14 in PG

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 MODULE 4

Overview of Module 4
In this module we will look at the basic concepts of ‘Human Reproduction’ and learn more about the structure
and functions of the male and female reproductive systems
Content
You will study this module through the following units:
Unit 1: How to teach terminology
Unit 2: Structure of the male and female reproductive systems
Unit 3: Puberty
Unit 4: Gametogenesis
Unit 5: Menstrual cycle
Unit 6: Fertilization and development of the zygote
Unit 7: Implantation, gestation and the role of the placenta

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 OUTCOMES OF THIS MODULE
Statement of the learning outcomes/objectives
When you complete this module you will be able to:
• Give a schematic outline of the human lifecycle to show the role of meiosis, mitosis and fertilization.
– (knowledge and understanding: level A and B of Bloom’s taxonomy)
• Identify the structure and functions of the male reproductive system.
– (knowledge : level A of Bloom’s taxonomy)
• Identify the structure and functions of the female reproductive system.
– (knowledge and understanding: level A and B of Bloom’s taxonomy)
• Describe the main changes that occur during puberty of males and females
– (knowledge, understanding and application: level A; B and C of Bloom’s taxonomy)
• Describe the formation of gametes during spermatogenesis and oogenesis.
– (knowledge, understanding and application: level A; B and C of Bloom’s taxonomy)
• Draw a schematic diagram of the sperm cell and ovum
– (knowledge and understanding: level A and B of Bloom’s taxonomy)
• Describe the role of various hormones during the ovarian and menstrual cycles
– (knowledge, understanding and application: level A; B and C of Bloom’s taxonomy)
• Give a definition of copulation , fertilization and implantation
– (knowledge : level A of Bloom’s taxonomy)
• Describe the development of the blastula
– (knowledge : level A of Bloom’s taxonomy)
• List the functions of the placenta and amniotic fluid during pregnancy
– (knowledge, understanding and application: level A; B and C of Bloom’s taxonomy)

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ATP FOR TERM 1

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Teaching terminology

Activity 4.1, p.78

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Life Cycle of humans
Structure of the Male Reproductive system
Consists of:
• A pair of testes situated in the scrotum.
• The epididymis, vas deferens, ejaculatory duct and urethra
• The seminal vesicles, prostate gland and Cowper’s glands.
• The penis
 THE TESTES IN THE SCROTUM
• The testes are the male sex organs occurring in the scrotum
which lies outside the abdominal cavity

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 INSIDE THE TESTES
• The seminiferous tubules are found inside of each testis .

• These tubules are lined

with germinal epithelial
cells which produce the
spermatozoa by
spermatogenesis.

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 INSIDE THE SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES
• There are specialized
cells called Sertoli cells.
• These cells are rich in
glycogen which is
thought to serve as
nutrients for the
spermatids as they
develop into sperm or
spermatozoa.

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Tubes responsible for carrying spermatozoa
The Epididymis
Is a coiled tube lying outside each testis The vas deferens
within the scrotum. Leads off of the
Is also called the sperm duct it
seminiferous tubule and stores sperm
carries the spermatozoa from
temporarily before sending it to the vas
the epididymis through the
deferens.
abdomen into the ejaculatory
duct

Ejaculatory ducts
The two ejaculatory ducts join the
urethra just after it leaves the
bladder.
Urethra
Is a tube which runs through the
Contractions of the muscular walls
penis and opens at the tip of it.
of the ejaculatory duct forces the
It is a common tube for urine and
semen through the urethra.
semen.
 Accessory glands
• Seminal vesicles – produce seminal fluid to transport the sperm
cells
• Prostate gland – secretes a clear, slightly alkaline fluid that
makes up 1/3 of the volume of semen
• Cowper’s glands secrete fluid containing nutrients for the sperm
• Secretions of the prostate and Cowper's glands nourish the
sperm enabling them to swim and provide protection

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Accessory glands
 The Penis

• External reproductive organ.

• Made up of spongy tissue which fills with blood causing the
penis to become erect before it is inserted into the female
organ.
• Responsible for transferring spermatozoa from the male to
the female.

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Structure of the Female reproductive system
Consists of:
• A pair of ovaries
• Fallopian tube leading from each ovary
• Uterus or womb
• Vagina or birth canal
• Vulva or external opening

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 The ovaries

• Female sex organs.

• Found in lower part of abdominal cavity.
• Held in place by ligaments.
• Made up of a covering of germinal
epithelium with a large number of follicles in it.
• Germinal epithelium produces follicles.
• Oogenesis takes place within follicles to produce ova.
• Follicles secrete oestrogen and progesterone

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19
 Fallopian tubes
• Transport the ova from the
ovaries to the uterus.
• The upper parts of the
fallopian tubes are expanded
into ciliated funnels which
partially enclose the two
ovaries

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 The Uterus

• Pear shaped, hollow organ with

muscular walls.
• Endometrium lines the uterus and is
richly supplied with blood vessels
• Neck of uterus is called the cervix
and extends into the vagina
• Serves for attachment of the embryo
if fertilization takes place.

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 Vagina
• Cylindrical sheath like
structure that leads from the
cervix to the outside forming
the opening called the vulva.

• During copulation the penis is

inserted into the vagina where
spermatozoa are released.
• Activity 4.2, p.80
Puberty & Gametogenesis
 Puberty …
• is a time of life when a person becomes sexually mature.
• Physical changes occur between 10 and 14 in girls and 12
and 16 for boys
• It begins when the hypothalamus in the brain starts
releasing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
 Puberty in males…
• starts when GnRH stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to secrete:
– Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) – which stimulates the testes to produce
sperm,
– Luteinising hormone (LH) – which stimulates the testes to produce testosterone
– Secondary sexual characteristics (caused by testosterone)
• Rapid increase in height, size and strength of muscles
• Development and functioning of the prostate gland, seminal vesicles and Cowper’s glands
• Voice deepens
• Hair grows in the pubic area, armpits and on the face
• Testes and penis increase in size
 Puberty in females…
• starts when GnRH stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to secrete:
– Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) – stimulates a follicle in the ovary to develop
and secrete oestrogen
– Luteinising hormone (LH) – stimulates the development of the corpus luteum in the
ovary to secrete progesterone (not responsible for secondary sexual characteristics)
– Secondary sexual characteristics (caused by oestrogen)
• Rapid increase in height and breast development
• Hair growth in the pubic area and armpits
• Increase in size of the vagina
• Uterine and endometrial growth
• Onset of menstruation
• Increase in body fat
ATP FOR TERM 1

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Spermatogenesis vs. Oogenesis

R
pro efers t
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gam by w e
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the rmina the
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ans f sex
Process of Spermatogenesis
Germinal epithelium undergoes meiosis

Producing 4 haploid spermatids

Mature to form a spermatozoon

Each spermatozoon is made of a head,

middle portion and a tail.
A sperm cell The head is mainly made up
of the nucleus containing 22
autosomes and either an X or
Y gonosome.

The middle piece is made up of numerous

mitochondria to provide energy for locomotion.
The mitochondria contain mitochondrial DNA.

The long tail enables the

sperm to swim
 Sperm cells
• Takes about 74 days
• 200 to 300 million sperms cells are made per day
• Only 100 million become viable
• A tail develops from the centriole
• Excess cytoplasm and organelles are phagocytised by Sertoli cells
• Non motile sperm are transported to the epididymis in testicular fluid by
peristalsis where they mature
• They gain motility in the epididymis, but move through the rest of the
reproductive system by peristalsis

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Process of Oogenesis
One cell inside a follicle

Meiosis

4 haploid cells formed

3 cells break up; one cell

matures

Mature ovum
Refers to the process by which
ova are produced from the
germinal epithelium of the
ovaries.

Oogenesis
One ovum is produced and
released every 28 days. It is
produced by meiosis and
At puberty the germinal therefore has 22
epithelial of the ovary autosomes (single
starts to produce ova by chromosomes) and an X
meiosis. gonosome.
 An Ovum
• Consists of a haploid nucleus,
surrounded by cytoplasm.

• The nucleus bears the genetic

material from the mother while the
cytoplasm serves as nutritive
material to nourish the future
zygote.

• The ovum is enclosed in a vitelline

membrane.
 Process…
• Meiosis 1 begins during
embryonic development
• Stops in prophase 1, until puberty
• Meiosis 2 only occurs after
ovulation, and halts at metaphase
• Primary oocytes are all
2
developed by about 20 weeks
of gestational age • Only if fertilization occurs does the
oocyte complete meiosis 2
• ±7 million have been created
• Polar bodies disintegrate after
• by birth it is reduced to ± 1 to
meiosis 2
2 million
Activity 4.3, p.89
ATP FOR TERM 1

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Ovarian and Menstrual cycles

• Series of events
occurring in the ovary
and uterus
• an ovum is matured
and released by the
ovary
• the endometrium
builds up in
preparation for
implantation
• Over a 28 day period
 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 HORMONAL REGULATION OF OOGENESIS AND OVULATION

OVULATION
FOLLICULAR PHASE LUTEAL PHASE
• The ruptured follicle now transform into the
• 10-20 primordial follicles begin to
corpus luteum and secrete large amounts of
develop in response to FSH and LH progesterone
levels
• if fertilization does not occur, the corpus
• FSH stimulates a follicle to develop luteum degenerates ... if fertilization does
and secretion of oestrogen to occur occur, HCG released from the embryo
maintains corpus luteum
• A surge of LH induces ovulation
Day 1 Day 14 Day 28
 Ovarian cycle
Follicular phase Ovulation
• Day 1: hypophysis secretes FSH • Day 12: the hypophysis stops secreting
• This stimulates the growth of the Graafian FSH and starts secreting Luteinizing
Follicle in the ovary
Hormone (LH)
• Day 7 – 14
• As levels of FSH increase in blood so the Follicle
• Day 14 : OVULATION
grows and matures • The Graafian follicle ruptures
• It fills with fluid causing the follicle to swell • Secondary oocyte is released
• Day 7 – 14
• The Corpus Luteum (yellow body)
• The follicle secretes oestrogen
• this prepares the endometrium for
develops from the Graafian follicle
implantation
• The endometrium becomes thick and vascular

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 Luteal phase Menstruation
• Day 17 – 28: The Corpus Luteum • if fertilization does not occur then:
secretes progesterone • Levels of LH and drop causing the
• This along with oestrogen this Corpus Luteum to degenerate
increases the thickness of the • Thus levels of oestrogen and
endometrium progesterone in the blood drop.
• if fertilization occurs then levels of • Day 28: This causes the endometrial
oestrogen and progesterone stay high lining of the uterus tears away
• The cycle begins again

Activity 4.4, p.94

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AT ATP FOR TERM 1 P FOR TERM 1

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Fertilization, pre
gnancy and
birth
 Fertilizati
on
• Spermatozoa deposited in the vagina
move by spiral movements towards the
ovum in the fallopian tubes
• The head of one sperm cell penetrates
the membranous barrier around the
ovum
• Enzymes from the acrosome hydrolyse
these barriers
• The spermatozoon loses its tail
Fertilization

• The yolk membrane becomes

impenetrable to other sperm
• The pronuclei of the male and
female fuse
• Two sets of chromosomes lie on
the equator
Fertilization occurs in the
fallopian tubes forming a
zygote
The zygote undergoes mitosis
to form a ball of cells called a
blastula
The blastula moves along the
fallopian tube until it reaches
the uterus
 Implantatio
n
• The blastula forms two sac-like
structures
• 1. amnion
• 2. yolk sac
• The outer most covering is called
the chorion
• The yolk sac shrinks
• The amnion fills with fluid and fuses
with the chorion after 2 months
Placenta
Placenta and • Villi develop from the
attachment villi
chorion
• These become larger
and more vascular
• Called attachment villi
• The region of the
endometrium
undergoes further
changes and forms a
placenta
 Development of
the Placenta
• Large spaces or sinuses develop in the
decidua or endometrium where
attachment occurs
• Attachment villi fit into theses spaces
• where maternal blood bathes the villi
• NB!! Maternal and foetal blood never mix
• One vein and two arteries form the
umbilical cord
• Nutrients diffuse from maternal blood
across the membranes into foetal blood
Functions of the placenta
• 4. protection
• 1. nutrition • The placenta acts as a barrier or
filter for certain harmful
• Nutrients including vitamins and pathogens and chemicals
minerals diffuse from the maternal • Maternal antibodies cross the
blood to the foetus placenta to the foetus
• 2. Gaseous exchange • However, HIV and alcohol are able
• Oxygen and carbon dioxide are to cross this barrier
exchanged between maternal and • 5. endocrine function
foetal blood • After two months the placenta
• 3. excretion takes over the secretion of
progesterone and oestrogen to
• Nitrogenous wastes are carried away maintain the endometrial lining
from the foetus • Secretes relaxin to relax joints and
by maternal blood ligaments to assist delivery of the
foetus
Amnion and amniotic fluid
• The amnion is a
membranous structure
in which the foetus
develops
• It is impenetrable and
secretes fluid in which
the foetus lives and
moves
 • Amniocentesis
Functions of amniotic fluid
• 1. shock absorber - protects the
foetus from mechanical injury
• 2. thermoregulatory – prevents
extremes temperature changes
• 3. moisturising -
• prevents desiccation of foetus
• Amniotic fluid consists of
• 4. environment – 99% water as well as a mix
• provides the medium in which the of foetal cells, micro
foetus moves, breathes and organisms and waste
swallows products
Amnion and amniotic fluid
• Functions of amniotic fluid
• 1. shock absorber – protects the foetus
from mechanical injury
• 2. thermoregulatory – prevents
extremes temperature changes
• 3. moisturising – prevents desiccation
(drying out) of the foetus
• 4. environment – provides the medium
in which the foetus moves, breathes
and swallows

The amnion is a membranous •

structure in which the foetus
develops
It is impenetrable and secretes fluid
in which the foetus lives and moves
Pregnancy

The period between fertilization

and birth when the foetus
develops in the womb
Activity 4.5, p.99

• The structures of the male and female reproductive system must be

studies with the aid of diagrams.
• It is important to remember that learners need to have a copy of the
male reproductive system as a side view and a front view.
• The diagram of the ovum is not typical of all textbooks and therefor the
teacher must ensure that learners have a labelled copy.
• Graphing skills (reading and constructing) are very important in this
topic as the different cycles associated with reproduction are mainly
represented by graphs.