Male Reproductive System

By: Nicole ArevaloSachini Meegoda

P-EB

What does it mean to reproduce?

• Reproduction — the process by which organisms make more organisms like themselves

• This is one essential factor that sets living things apart from nonliving things

• But even though the reproductive system is essential to keeping a species alive, unlike other body systems it's not essential to keeping an individual alive.

Human Reproductive Process

• In sexual reproduction new individuals are produced by the fusion of haploid gametes to form a diploid zygote.

• Sperm are male gametes, ova (ovum singular) are female gametes.

• The male gamete, and the female gamete, meet in the female's reproductive system to create a new individual.

The Male Reproductive System?

• Unlike the female, whose sex organs are located entirely within the pelvis, the male has reproductive organs, or genitals, that are both inside and outside the pelvis.

• The male genitals include:– the testicles– the duct system, which is made up of the epididymis and

the vas deferens– the accessory glands, which include the seminal vesicles and

prostate gland– the penis

The purpose of the organs of the male reproductive system:

• To produce, maintain, and transport sperm (the male reproductive cells) and protective fluid (semen)

• To discharge sperm within the female reproductive tract during sex

• To produce and secrete male sex hormones responsible for maintaining the male reproductive system

How Does the Male Reproductive System Function?

• The entire male reproductive system is dependent on hormones, which are chemicals that regulate the activity of many different types of cells or organs.

• The primary hormones involved in the male reproductive system are follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone.

How Does the Male Reproductive System Function continued…

• Follicle-stimulating hormone is necessary for sperm production.

• Testosterone is the hormone that causes guys to develop deeper voices, bigger muscles, and body and facial hair, and it also stimulates the production of sperm.

• Penis — The penis is the male organ for sexual intercourse. It has three parts: the root, which attaches to the wall of the abdomen; the body, or shaft; and the glans, which is the cone-shaped end of the penis.

• Scrotum — The scrotum is the loose pouch-like sac of skin that hangs behind the penis. It contains the testicles (also called testes), as well as many nerves and blood vessels.

• Scrotum — The scrotum is the loose pouch-like sac of skin that hangs behind the penis. It contains the testicles (also called testes), as well as many nerves and blood vessels.

• Epididymis — The epididymis is a long, coiled tube that rests on the backside of each testicle. It functions in the transport and storage of the sperm cells that are produced in the testes.