Gen Soc: Ch 2 (Gender as Biological)

• 1. Human reproductive system - organ system by which humans reproduce and bear live offspring.
• Reproduction – process of producing offspring.
• Genitals – external sex organs
• Primary sex characteristics – sex characteristics that are present at birth.
• Secondary sex characteristics – sex characteristics that emerge during puberty.
• Gonads – reproductive organs of humans.
• Puberty - is a phase of rapid growth, at the end of which the body reaches reproductive maturity.
• Humans

  • Experience physical and emotional changes from childhood to adulthood
  • These changes are gradual, progress at different ages, and speed in different people
• Each person has a Pair of GONADS:

  • Female: Ovaries
  • Germ cell: Ova (egg)
  • Male: Testes
  • Germ cell: Sperm
• Gonads - produce germ cells and sex hormones
• THE BIOLOGICAL FEMALE

  • designed for the production and fertilization of ovum
  • carrying delivering infant offspring
  • Puberty signals the final development of primary and accessory organs that support reproduction.
• • Labia majora – outer lips surrounding all the other structures.  
• • Prepuce – clitoral hood (foreskin above and covering clitoris)
• Clitoris – glans (head), shaft, and crura (root), sensitive to stimulation
• Labia minora – inner lips surrounding the vestibule where sweat and oil glands, extensive blood vessels, and nerve endings are located
• Urethral opening – end of tube connecting to bladder and used for urination
• Vaginal opening – also called introitus
• Mons pubis - located over the pubic bone and the pubic symphysis joint. It also contains glands that begin secreting pheromones. These are substances involved in sexual attraction
• Female external and Internal Parts

  
• • Vagina – collapsible canal extending from vaginal opening back and upward into body to cervix and uterus.  
• Cervix – small end of uterus to which vagina leads. It is the opening in cervix leading to leading to interior of uterus
• Uterus – womb, organ within pelvic zone where fetus is carried;  Fallopian tubes – carry egg cells from ovaries to uterus, this is where fertilization occurs
• Ovaries – produce estrogen and progesterone
• uberty

  • The menstrual cycle marks the beginning of puberty in females.
  • The first episode occurs between 11 to 15 years of age referred to as menarche.
• widening of hips and pelvis – accommodates giving birth, but also results in downward shift in center of gravity.
• enlargement of breasts – the glandular tissue of the breasts responds to sex hormones. It also produces milk toward the end of pregnancy and after childbirth in response to hormone levels.
• More female characteristics:  

  • Generally shorter than men;  
  • Greater proportion of body weight composed of fat than men;  
  • Two X chromosomes reduces expression of many sex-linked conditions; 
  • Lower mortality rate at every age and longer projected lifespan than men. 
• THE BIOLOGICAL MALE

  • designed for the production and delivery of sperm for fertilization of the female’s ovum. 
  • Puberty signals the final development of primary and accessory organs that support reproduction.
• Prepuce – foreskin covering head of penis, removed in male circumcision
• • Penis glans (head), shaft, and root.  
• Corona – rim of glans where it arises from shaft
• Frenulum – thin strip of skin connecting glans and shaft on underside of penis
• Scrotum – sac that encloses the two compartments housing the testes
• Urethral opening – found on head of penis and used for urination and semen delivery by which male ejaculates
• • Perineum – area of skin separating the genitalia from the anus. 
• More Male Characteristics:

  • Taller and greater proportion of body weight (composed of water)
  • Larger heart and lungs (handle greater blood fluid)
  • Greater levels of testosterone
  • Heavier body and facial hair, but increase frequency of baldness
  • Single X chromosome: can lead to colorblindness and hemophilia (sex-linked)
• Ovulation – the process when a mature ovum is released from the ovary and travels to the fallopian tube for possible fertilization. 
• 1. Fertilization – union of the sperm and the ovum. 
• Pregnancy – the process when an offspring develops within the mother’s womb
• The Process of Reproduction

  • differences between males and females are accentuated at puberty
  • Puberty is when the reproductive system matures, secondary sexual characteristics develop, and bodies of male and females become more distinctive.