The Female Reproductive System :: essays research papers

The reproductive system is one of the most vital systems because it determines whether a species will survive. The reproductive system produces human offspring. One of the most prevalent diseases of the reproductive system is prostate cancer. Prostate cancer occurs when the cells of the prostate begin to grow and divide uncontrollably. One out of six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the United States. Some of the key parts of the reproductive system are to learn how a female egg is fertilized by a male sperm cell, about the parts of the male and female reproductive system and learn about prostate cancer. The male reproductive system works to create sperm and then release it into the female during sexual intercourse. The organs in the system are the testes, the epididymides, hanging in a skin bag called the scrotum, the sperm ducts, the prostate gland, and the penis containing the urethra. The testes are also known as sperm glands. They make tiny sperm cells called spermatozoa. They also produce hormones especially testosterone (this activates the production of sperm cells). Epididymides are tightly coiled tubes on each side of the testes. They help sperm become mature. The sperm ducts carry fresh sperm towards the outside. The ducts join with the urethra inside of the prostate. The urethra carries the sperm through the penis to the outside. This pathway is also known as the male reproductive tract. The parts of the female reproductive system work together to produce pin- head size eggs that join with a male's sperm to fertilize one of the eggs. The system nourishes the egg until it forms a full-grown baby. Then, once the baby is born, it produces milk for the baby. The main parts of a female reproductive system are the ovaries, the oviducts (also called the fallopian tubes), uterus (womb), vagina, vulva and the breasts (where the milk for the baby is released). The ovaries are called "egg glands". They store tiny eggs called ova. These will develop into a baby, if a man's sperm fertilizes them. The ovaries also produce hormones. The two oviducts each link the two ovaries with the uterus. They carry the ripe eggs to the uterus. When a male fertilizes a female's egg, it usually occurs in the oviduct. The uterus is where the fertilized egg grows and is nourished until it is ready to come out. At first, the uterus is about the size of a baseball or a tennis ball.