IGCSE BIOLOGY - HUMAN REPRODUCTION VERIFIED NOTES
Urethra
Tube which transports urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. In males it can also
carry semen.
Ureter
Tube which transports urine from the kidneys to the bladder
Ovaries
Organs which secrete oestrogen and progesterone into the bloodstream. Eggs are produced,
stored and then released from here once a month.
Testis
Organs which produce testosterone. Sperm are produced here.
Ovum
The scientific term for the female gamete.
Sperm
The male gamete
Haploid
The term used to describe a cell (such as a gamete) which contains one copy of every
chromosome.
Diploid
The term used to describe a cell which contains two copies of every chromosome.
Fallopian Tubes
The tubes which transport ova from the ovaries to the uterus. They are lined with ciliated
epithelium. Fertilisation takes place here.
Uterus
The organ where implantation and foetal development takes place. The lining of this organ is lost
once a month in menstruation. Its muscular contractions help to force the baby through the
vagina during child birth.
Cervix
, The narrow gap between the vagina and the uterus. Its diameter is controlled by a ring of muscle
which has to dilate up to 10cm during child birth.
Ciliated epithelium
This cells of this tissue possess many cilia which beat rhythmically to move the egg along the
Fallopian tubes.
Vas deferens
The tube which transports sperm from the testis to the prostate gland.
Seminal vesicle
The gland which produces seminal fluid. This activates and nourishes the sperm in preparation
for their journey to the egg.
epididymis
A set of coiled tubules which stores sperm before ejaculation.
Scrotum
The sac of skin which contains the testis. It allows the testis to sit outside of the body cavity
where the temperature is lower and sperm production is faster.
prostate gland
This accessory gland in the male reproductive system produces much of the liquid component of
semen. It is found under the bladder and contains the junction between the vas deferens and the
urethra.
placenta
This organ is produced by the developing embryo as a site of exchange between the maternal and
foetal blood. It prevents the mixing of maternal and foetal blood but allows diffusion of gases,
nutrients and waste molecules. It also produces progesterone during pregnancy.
zygote
The name given to the diploid cell that is produced when a sperm fertilizes an ovum.
mitosis
The process of cell division which allows a zygote to develop into an embryo and eventually a
foetus.
embryo
The name given to the developmental stage between zygote and foetus.
Urethra
Tube which transports urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. In males it can also
carry semen.
Ureter
Tube which transports urine from the kidneys to the bladder
Ovaries
Organs which secrete oestrogen and progesterone into the bloodstream. Eggs are produced,
stored and then released from here once a month.
Testis
Organs which produce testosterone. Sperm are produced here.
Ovum
The scientific term for the female gamete.
Sperm
The male gamete
Haploid
The term used to describe a cell (such as a gamete) which contains one copy of every
chromosome.
Diploid
The term used to describe a cell which contains two copies of every chromosome.
Fallopian Tubes
The tubes which transport ova from the ovaries to the uterus. They are lined with ciliated
epithelium. Fertilisation takes place here.
Uterus
The organ where implantation and foetal development takes place. The lining of this organ is lost
once a month in menstruation. Its muscular contractions help to force the baby through the
vagina during child birth.
Cervix
, The narrow gap between the vagina and the uterus. Its diameter is controlled by a ring of muscle
which has to dilate up to 10cm during child birth.
Ciliated epithelium
This cells of this tissue possess many cilia which beat rhythmically to move the egg along the
Fallopian tubes.
Vas deferens
The tube which transports sperm from the testis to the prostate gland.
Seminal vesicle
The gland which produces seminal fluid. This activates and nourishes the sperm in preparation
for their journey to the egg.
epididymis
A set of coiled tubules which stores sperm before ejaculation.
Scrotum
The sac of skin which contains the testis. It allows the testis to sit outside of the body cavity
where the temperature is lower and sperm production is faster.
prostate gland
This accessory gland in the male reproductive system produces much of the liquid component of
semen. It is found under the bladder and contains the junction between the vas deferens and the
urethra.
placenta
This organ is produced by the developing embryo as a site of exchange between the maternal and
foetal blood. It prevents the mixing of maternal and foetal blood but allows diffusion of gases,
nutrients and waste molecules. It also produces progesterone during pregnancy.
zygote
The name given to the diploid cell that is produced when a sperm fertilizes an ovum.
mitosis
The process of cell division which allows a zygote to develop into an embryo and eventually a
foetus.
embryo
The name given to the developmental stage between zygote and foetus.
