Question

List the structures and functions of the male and female reproductive systems.

Short answer

The male reproductive system consists of the testes, seminiferous tubules, prostate gland, and urethra, with functions including sperm and hormone production, secretion of seminal fluids, and expulsion of semen and urine. The female reproductive system includes ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and cervix, with functions including egg and hormone production, transporting the ovum, housing and nourishing a developing fetus, and acting as a protective barrier or gateway to the uterus.

Step-by-step solution

Male Reproductive System Structures and Functions

The following are the structures and functions of the male reproductive system: \n1. Testes: They are responsible for producing sperm and the male hormone testosterone. \n2. Seminiferous tubules: Located within the testes, this is where spermatogenesis, or the production of sperm, takes place. \n3. Prostate gland: It secretes a milky fluid that is a major component of semen and aids in the longevity and mobility of sperm. \n4. Urethra: This is the duct through which urine and semen (not simultaneously) are expelled from the body.

Female Reproductive System Structures and Functions

The following are the structures and functions of the female reproductive system:\n1. Ovaries: They are responsible for producing ova (eggs) and the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. \n2. Fallopian tubes: These serve as the pathway for an ovum to travel from the ovary to the uterus. Fertilization typically happens here. \n3. Uterus: It is where a fertilized egg implants and grows during pregnancy. \n4. Cervix: Acts as a barrier to the uterus, opening to allow sperm to enter and expand during childbirth.