KA1 Gamate production and fertilisation

• Gamete production

  The production of male and female reproductive cells
• Gamete production in the testes

  1. Testes produce sperm in the seminiferous tubules

  2. Testes produce testosterone in the interstitial cells
• Gamete production in the ovaries

  1. Ovaries contain immature ova (egg cells) in various stages of development

  2. Each ovum (egg cell) is surrounded by a follicle

  3. The follicle protects the developing ovum and secretes hormones
• Fertilisation

  1. Mature ova are usually released into the oviduct one at a time

  2. The ovum may be fertilised by a sperm to form a zygote (fertilised egg cell)

  3. Fertilisation is the fusion of the sperm cell's nucleus with the egg cell's nucleus
• The prostate gland and seminal vesicles secrete fluids that maintain the motility and viability of the sperm