Week 6- Discussion Board 1

[Art Liebl]

In at least 250 words talk about the differences between male and female reproductive systems?  Respond to two fellow students by Monday.

[Shivangi Patel]

The male reproductive system consists of external organs. The testes in the scrotum produce the male gamete, sperm, which is ejaculated in seminal fluid by the penis.
The female reproductive system primarily consists of internal organs. The female gamete, ovum, is produced in the ovaries and is released monthly to travel to the uterus via the Fallopian tubes.
Organs-
fallopian tubes: The Fallopian tubes, also known as oviducts, uterine tubes, and salpinges (singular salpinx) are two very fine tubes lined with ciliated epithelia leading from the ovaries of female mammals into the uterus, via the utero-tubal junction.
penis: The male sexual organ for copulation and urination; the tubular portion of the male genitalia
vagina: A fibromuscular tubular tract which is the female sex organ and has two main functions: sexual intercourse and childbirth.
The primary direct function of the male reproductive system is to provide the male gamete or spermatozoa for fertilization of the ovum. The major reproductive organs of the male can be grouped into three categories. The first category is sperm production and storage. Production takes place in the testes, housed in the temperature-regulating scrotum. Immature sperm then travel to the epididymis for development and storage. The second category, the ejaculatory fluid-producing glands, includes the seminal vesicles, prostate, and vas deferens.
The human female reproductive system is a series of organs primarily located inside the body and around the pelvic region. It contains three main parts: the vagina, which leads from the vulva, the vaginal opening, to the uterus; the uterus, which holds the developing fetus; and the ovaries, which produce the female’s ova. The breasts are also a reproductive organ during parenting, but are usually not classified as part of the female reproductive system. The vagina meets the outside at the vulva, which also includes the labia, clitoris, and urethra.

[Carlos Martinez]

Thanks for the info it was as always very informative.

[Estevao Rosacruz]

Very interesting to see how these major diferences act on each body

[Saika Pierre]

Hi Shivangi,

Great explanation! You mentioned that the reproductive organs of the male can be grouped into three categories. What is the third category?

[Estevao Rosacruz]

The male and female reproductive systems have some pretty clear and remarcable differences in structure and function, each playing a crucial role in the process of human reproduction. In the male reproductive system, the testes, located in the scrotum, produce sperm and the hormone testosterone. Supporting structures such as the epididymis, vas deferens, and accessory glands contribute to the formation of semen, facilitating the transport and delivery of sperm during ejaculation. In contrast, the female reproductive system involves ovaries producing eggs (ova) and essential hormones like estrogen and progesterone. The fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and vagina work collaboratively to enable fertilization, implantation, and childbirth. Hormones orchestrate the female reproductive cycle, encompassing ovulation and menstruation on a monthly basis. Importantly, the male system maintains continuous sperm production, while the female system experiences a cyclic reproductive cycle. Fertilization occurs internally in females, within the fallopian tubes, contrasting with the external process during ejaculation in males. These distinctions are fundamental to understanding the complexities of human reproduction, reproductive health, and the distinct roles each system fulfills in perpetuating the human species.

[Carolina Swanstrom]

Human anatomy is very interesting, specially knowing what our bodies are designed for and how a life is created.

[Carlos Martinez]

The tissues, glands, and organs involved in producing offspring (children). In women, the reproductive system includes the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the uterus, the cervix, and the vagina. In men, it includes the prostate, the testes, and the penis both systems have gonads (male have testes and female have ovaries) that produce gametes (testes produce sperm and ovaries produce egg or ovum) and sex organs. .
They are the same in that most of the reproductive organs of both sexes develop from similar embryonic tissue, meaning they are homologous. Both systems have gonads (male have testes and female have ovaries) that produce gametes (testes produce sperm and ovaries produce egg or ovum) and sex organs
The differences between the female and male reproductive systems are based on the functions of each individual’s role in the reproduction cycle. A male who is healthy, and sexually mature, continuously produces sperm. The development of women’s “eggs” are arrested during fetal development.
The female reproductive system is heavily influenced by two main hormones, estrogen and progesterone. These hormones promote the growth and development of the female reproductive system, regulate the menstrual cycle, and prepare the uterus for pregnancy.

Hormones on the female
Estrogen is produced primarily in the ovaries and plays a crucial role in the development of secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast development and the growth of pubic hair. It also helps to thicken the lining of the uterus in preparation for pregnancy. During the menstrual cycle, estrogen levels rise and fall, causing changes in the thickness of the uterine lining and the release of an egg from the ovary.
Progesterone, on the other hand, is produced by the ovaries and the placenta during pregnancy. It helps to maintain the thickened uterine lining and prepares the breasts for milk production. If pregnancy does not occur, progesterone levels drop, causing the uterine lining to shed and resulting in menstruation.

Hormones on the Male
Hormones play a significant role in male reproductive function, particularly testosterone. This hormone is produced in the testes and aids in the development of sexual characteristics, including the growth of facial and body hair, deepening of the voice, and the development of muscles and bones.
In addition to testosterone, other hormones also play a role in male reproductive function. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are produced in the pituitary gland and stimulate the testes to produce sperm. Without these hormones, the testes would not be able to produce sperm, which is necessary for reproduction.
Hormonal imbalances can have a significant impact on male reproductive function. Low levels of testosterone can lead to decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and infertility. On the other hand, high levels of testosterone can lead to aggressive behavior, acne, and an increased risk of prostate cancer. It is important for men to maintain a healthy balance of hormones to ensure optimal reproductive function and overall health

[Estevao Rosacruz]

Great detailed information about hormones, thanks for that!

[Carolina Swanstrom]

Great info, it’s mind blowing that a sperm measuring around 1/17th the size of a human hair, can create life.

[Saika Pierre]

Hi Carlos,

Thank you for including the importance of hormones in both males and females. This really highlights the importance of balance in physiological functions/homeostasis because excess or lack of hormones can have severe effects on our behaviors and physical appearance.

[Carolina Swanstrom]

Reproductive systems from male and female have different anatomical structures since they are designed for different jobs in production, transportation and fertilization of eggs and sperms. The female system being the one in charge with pregnancy, childbirth and the male system to contribute to the production, storage and delivery of sperm for fertilization. They both store and produce reproductive cells, the male in the testes and the female in the ovaries.

The reproductive cell in the male system is the sperm cell while for the female system is the egg cell. The male systems produce hormone called testosterone. This hormone is the reason why the body develops deepening in the voice, growth in facial and body hair and increase in muscle mass. Male system has a passageway of sex cells called Vas deferens. Has two visible external parts (scrotum and penis). The sperm cells are being transported by the penis during the ejaculation process.

For the female reproductive system, most of its parts are located inside the female’s body. It is designed to produce eggs and when they are fused with the sperm, creating a fertilized egg. The egg cell stays inside the female’s body. The female reproductive system bears the fetus for nine months. The female body undergoes changes as the fetus continuously develop inside her womb. The female produces estrogen and progesterone which influences with the development of breast enlargement, widening of hips and growth of pubic and axillary hair. The passageway on the female system is the fallopian tube.

[Saika Pierre]

The male and female reproductive systems have fundamental differences in structure and function to facilitate the processes of reproduction. In males, the primary reproductive organs are the testes (located in an external pouch called the scrotum), which are responsible for producing sperm and the hormone testosterone. Sperm travel from the testes through a series of ducts, including the epididymis, vas deferens, and ejaculatory duct, before being expelled from the body through the urethra during ejaculation.

On the other hand, the female reproductive system consists of the ovaries, which produce eggs (ova) and female sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone. Each month, one ovary releases an egg during ovulation, which travels through the fallopian tubes towards the uterus. The uterus, or womb, is where a fertilized egg implants and develops into a fetus during pregnancy. If fertilization does not occur, the uterine lining sheds during menstruation. The vagina serves as the birth canal during childbirth and also receives sperm during sexual intercourse.

Another significant difference is the external genitalia, or genitals, which vary between males and females. Males have a penis and scrotum, while females have a clitoris, labia minora, labia majora, and Bartholin’s glands. These structures play roles in sexual arousal, intercourse, and childbirth. Additionally, females have mammary glands in their breasts, which produce milk to nourish offspring after birth.

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