HUMAN REPRODUCTION

 

Uterus:

  • It is single and is called womb.
  • It is inverted pear shaped.
  • Attached the pelvic wall by ligaments.
  • The uterus opens into vagina through a narrow cervix.
  • The lumen of cervix is called cervical canal.
  • Cervical canal along with vagina form the birth canal.
  • The wall of the uterus has three layers of tissues
    • Perimetrium: external thin membranous.
    • Myometrium: middle thick layer of smooth muscles
    • Endometrium: inner glandular layer.
  • Endometrium undergoes cyclical changes during menstrual cycle.
  • Myometrium exhibits strong contraction during delivery of the baby.

 

External genitalia:

  • It includes following structure:
    • Mons Pubis: cushion of fatty covered by skin and pubic hair.
    • Labia majora: fleshy folds of tissue which extends down from the mons pubis and surrounds the vaginal opening.
    • Labia minora: are paired folds of tissue under the labia majora.
    • Hymen: the opening of vagina is often covered partially by a membrane called hymen.
    • Clitoris: a tiny finger-like structure lies at the upper junction of two labia minora above the urethral opening.

Mammary glands:

  • Mammary gland consists of glandular tissue and fat.
  • Glandular tissue of each breast divided into 15-20 mammary lobes.
  • Mammary lobes contain cluster of cells called alveoli.
  • The cells of alveoli secrete milk, stored in the lumen of alveoli.
  • The alveoli open into mammary tubules.
  • The tubules of each lobe join to form a mammary duct.
  • Several mammary ducts join to form a wider mammary ampulla.
  • Mammary ampulla connected to lactiferous duct, through which milk is sucked out.

GAMETOGENESIS: (formation of gametes)

Spermatogenesis:

  • Formation of sperm from the germ cell in the testes is spermatogenesis.
  • The process begins at puberty.
  • Spermatogonia present in the lining of seminiferous tubules undergo mitotic division to increase their number.
  • Each spermatogonium is diploid (2n) which contain 46 chromosomes.
  • Innermost layer of spermatogonial becomes larger called primary spermatocyte.
  • Primary spermatocyte undergoes meiosis-I to form two equal haploid (n) secondary spermatocytes (n).
  • Each secondary spermatocyte undergoes meiosis-II to form two equal, haploid spermatids.
  • Each primary spermatocyte produces four spermatids.
  • Spermatids transformed into spermatozoa (sperms) by the process called spermiogenesis.
  • The sperm head embedded in the Sertoli cell.
  • Release of sperm from the seminiferous tubule is called spermiation.

Hormonal control of spermatogenesis:

  • This process is initiated at puberty due to secretion of gonadotrophins releasing hormone (GnRH)
  • GnRH secreted form hypothalamus and stimulate anterior pituitary to secrete two gonadotrophins.
    • Luteinizing hormone (LH) and
    • Follicle stimulating Hormone (FSH)
  • LH acts on Leydig cells and stimulates synthesis of androgens.
  • Androgen stimulates spermatogenesis.
  • FSH acts on Sertoli cells and stimulates spermatogenesis in other ways.

Structure of sperm:

  • Ultrastructure of sperm consists of a head, neck, a middle piece and a tail.
  • Whole body of sperm surrounded by plasma membrane.
  • The sperm head contain an elongated haploid nucleus.
  • Above the nucleus a cap like structure present called acrosome.
  • The acrosome contains enzymes which help in fertilization of ovum.
  • The middle piece contains mitochondria, which provide energy for movement of tail that facilitate sperm motility.
  • Human male ejaculates 200-300 million sperms during coitus.
  • 60 percent must have normal shape and size and 40 percent of them must show vigorous motility.
  • Sperm released from seminiferous tubules enters into accessory ducts.
  • On their way fluids from seminal vesicle and prostate gland added which collectively called as Semen.
  • The function of male accessory ducts and glands are maintained by testicular hormone androgen.

 

CBSE Biology (Chapter Wise) Class XII ( By Mr. Hare Krushna Giri )
Email Id : [email protected]