Module 3
1. Module 3
1.4. Page 2
Module 3—The Male and Female Reproductive Systems
Explore
Do either the Read or the Watch and Listen activity first, but complete both sections. The Read and Watch and Listen activities will primarily introduce you to the major structures of the male reproductive system and their functions; however, the video includes much more information about causes of infertility and medical technologies. The information presented in these two activities is useful throughout Unit B and in the unit assessment.
Read
Your own reproductive health is important to you, but it may also be important to your future partner. Therefore, it is important that both males and females understand the structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) of the male reproductive system, including its primary reproductive organs, ducts, and accessory glands. Read pages 478 to 481 in the textbook, up to “Structures and Functions of the Female Reproductive System.” Summarize what you read by making notes, completing a chart or table similar to “Figure 14.2” on page 481, or recording the information according to your learning style. You must include a labelled diagram of the male reproductive system in your notes. Save your work in your course folder. Make sure that your work includes information on gonad, sperm, sex hormone, primary and secondary sex characteristics, gamete, testes, scrotum, seminiferous tubules, Sertoli cells, epididymis, ductus deferens, ejaculatory duct, penis, seminal vesicle, prostate gland, Cowper’s gland, semen, urethra, and ejaculation.
gonads: sex organs that produce gametes (sperm or egg); testes in males and ovaries in females
sperm: the male gamete
In sexual reproduction, the haploid sperm contributes half the chromosomes to the zygote; the egg contributes the other half.
sex hormone: a biochemical compound controlling the development, maintenance, and function of the reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics
primary sex characteristics: structures in the male or female that are essential for reproduction
secondary sex characteristics: characteristics that distinguish male from female but are not required for reproduction
gamete: a haploid cell made during meiosis that participates in fertilization to make a zygote
testes: paired male gonads that produce sperm and secrete testosterone
scrotum: a pouch of skin located below the penis that holds the testes
seminiferous tubules: coiled, hollow tubes in the testes where sperm are produced
Sertoli cells: ‘nurse’ cells in the seminiferous tubules that assist in spermatogenesis and produce the hormone inhibin
epididymis: a cap on each testicle where sperm are matured and stored prior to ejaculation
ductus deferens: a smooth muscle tube that carries the semen from the epididymis to the penis
ejaculatory duct: a tube from the ductus deferens to the penis
penis: the copulatory organ of the male that transfers semen to the female
seminal vesicles: glands producing a fluid containing fructose, which supplies energy for use by sperm
prostate gland: a muscle-like gland secreting alkaline fluid to neutralize the acids in urine
Cowper’s gland: a gland secreting fluids to form semen
semen: the ejaculated liquid that contains sperm plus the secretions of the seminal vesicles, prostate, and Cowper’s gland
urethra: the tube leading from the bladder to the penis
The urethra may carry either urine or semen.
ejaculation: the release of semen from the penis
Watch and Listen
Watch the video “The Male Reproductive System: Perpetuating the Species” from the beginning of the video to the end of the section “The Male Reproductive System Anatomy II” to further your understanding of the male reproductive system. The video helps you to see another view of the structures involved in the male system. Answer the questions for “The Male Reproductive System: Perpetuating the Species” as you watch the video. Save your answers in your course folder.
Self-Check
Test your knowledge of the location of various structures in the male reproductive system by completing this "Male Reproductive System" drag-and-drop activity.