THEME: THE HUMAN BODY

TOPIC: THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Growth and development in human beings

What is growth?
➢ Growth is the increase in size of an organism.
Signs of growth
- Increase in weight/mass
- Increase in height
- Appearance of masculine and feminine features.
What is development?
➢ This is the increase in maturity of an organism.

Puberty and adolescence

What is adolescence?
➢ This is the period of growth from childhood to adulthood.
➢ This is the period during when a child grows into an adult.
Who is an adolescent?
➢ This is a person undergoing adolescence.
- Childhood stage from 0- 12 years
- Adolescence stage from 13- 18 years
- Adulthood stage from 18 years and above.
What is puberty?
➢ This is a period in which reproductive organs become sexually mature.
➢ This is a period when a person experiences sexual maturation.
Changes in adolescents at puberty are called sex characteristics
There are two types of body changes/sex characteristics namely;
- Primary sex characteristics
- Secondary sex characteristics

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Primary sex characteristics/changes
- These are changes that affect primary sex organs.
- They are directly responsible for reproduction.

Examples of primary sex characteristics/changes

In boys In girls
• Enlargement of penis and testes • Menstruation
• Production of sperms/semen • Ovulation
• Experiencing of wet dreams • Thickening of the uterus

Primary sex characteristic in both girls and boys

- Production of mature gametes
- Enlargement of reproductive organs.

Secondary sex characteristics

- These are changes which give a person a male or female appearance.
- They are not directly responsible for reproduction.
- They distinguish a girl from a woman and a boy from a man.

Examples of secondary sex characteristics

In boys In girls
• Growth of beards • Development of breasts
• Deepening of voice • Soft and attractive voice
• The body becomes muscular • Smooth and nice looking face
• Broadening of the chest • Widening of hips.

Secondary sex characteristics in both girls and girls

- Sweat glands become active
- Appearance of pimples on the face
- Growth of pubic hair
- Growth of armpit hair

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- Body odour

Psychological/emotional changes
➢ These are changes that take place in the mind.
➢ They are the same in both girls and boys.
Examples of psychological/emotional changes in girls and boys.
- They are interested in the opposite sex
- They become moody/ mood swings
- They have increased demands
- They reject rules/They become disobedient.
- They become self conscious.
- They develop temper/become angry quickly
- They need freedom or independence
Social changes
- These are changes in human interactions and relationships.
Examples of social changes in adolescents
- They form peer groups
- They make friendship/relationship outside the family
Problems faced by the adolescents/effects of adolescence changes.
- Early pregnancy in girls
- Imprisonment
- Contraction of HIV/AIDS
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Rejection in the society
- Committing crimes
- School drop out
- Conflicts
- Miscarriage/abortion

Reproduction

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➢ Reproduction is the process of giving rise to new offsprings.
- This is the ability of organisms to multiply and increase in number
- This is the process by which organisms produce their own kind
Importance of reproduction
- It helps organisms to remain in existence
- It helps organisms to multiply and increase in number
- It prevents extinction of species of organisms
Type of reproduction
- Asexual reproduction
- Sexual reproduction
Asexual reproduction
➢ This doesn’t involve fusion of gametes.
Name examples of asexual reproduction
- Cell division/Binary fission
- Budding
Sexual reproduction
➢ This involves fusion of gametes.
What is a gamete?
➢ This is a reproductive cell.
Examples of gametes
- Sperms
- Ova/eggs
What are gonads?
- These are glands that produce gametes.
Examples of gonads
- Testes
- Ovaries
The male gametes in human beings are called sperms
The male gonads in human beings are called testes

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The female gametes in human beings are called ova.
The female gonads in human beings are called ovaries
Reproductive system
- This is a group of body organs involved in reproduction.
Parts of the male reproductive system

Functions of each part

1. Scrotum
- It protects the testes from harm.
- It regulates temperature around the testes
2. Testes
- They produce sperms
- They produce a male hormone called testosterone
❖ Testosterone controls male secondary sex characteristics.
- It helps to improve sex drive
3. Penis
- It deposits sperms into the vagina during sexual internal.
- It is used to pass out urine.
4. Epididymis
- It stores sperms

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- It is where sperms nature from.
- It carries sperms to the sperm ducts
5. Sperm duct (vas deferens)
- Transports/delivers sperms to the urethra
6. Urethra
- It is a passage of urine and sperms
7. Prostate gland
- It controls/regulates urine flow
- It produce seminal fluids
8. Seminal vesicle
- It produces a fluid that forms semen.
9. Foreskin
- It covers and protects the head of the penis.
Parts of the female reproductive system

Functions of each part

1. Vagina
- It is where sperms are deposited/ It receives sperms during mating.
- It acts as a birth canal/ It is a passage of the baby during birth.
- It receives a penis during sexual intercourse
2. Cervix

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- It separates the vagina from the uterus
- It prevents the foetus from coming out before it is time.
- It closes the uterus during pregnancy
3. Uterus/womb
- It is where implantation occurs
- It is where the embryo develops until birth.
4. Oviduct/fallopian tube
- It is where fertilization takes place
- It transports fertilized eggs (ova) from the ovary to the uterus.
5. Ovaries
- Produce ova (eggs)
- Produce female hormones e.g. estrogen, progesterone
Importance of estrogen hormone
- Controls female secondary sex characteristics.
- Regulates menstrual cycle
- Help in development of breasts.
Copulation
➢ This is the act of having sexual intercourse.

Ovulation

➢ This is the release of a mature egg/ovum from the ovary.

Menstruation

➢ This is the monthly discharge of blood and tissues from the uterus.
➢ It is caused by rupture of the uterus walls
➢ The first menstrual period called menarche starts in girls between
9-16
➢ The last menstrual period called menopause and ends at 45 years

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Examples of menstrual hygiene products

- Sanitary pads
- Menstrual cups
- Tampons

Fertilization

➢ This is the fusion of a male and female gametes to form a zygote.

Types of fertilization
- International fertilization
- External fertilization.
Humans undergo internal fertilization.
Fertilization in humans takes place in the fallopian tube/oviduct
During sexual intercourse, the penis releases sperms into the vagina.
The sperms swim in semen to the oviducts/fallopian tubes

Implantation
➢ This is the attachment of the zygote to the walls of the uterus.

Pregnancy
➢ This is the period in which the embryo is developing.
Gestation period
➢ This is the period from fertilization to birth.
❖ The pregnancy/gestation period in humans is 9 months.
Conception
- This is the process of becoming pregnant.
- This is the successful fusion of a sperm and an ovum.
Signs of pregnancy
- Breasts grow bigger/ Enlargement of breasts
- Menstruation stops

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- The abdomen grows bigger/ enlargement of the abdomen
- Morning sickness
- Frequent urination
- Vomiting/nausea
- Secretion of milk from breasts
- Food cravings
The foetus in the uterus

Functions of each part

1. Placenta
- It provides nutrients and oxygen to the foetus.
- It produces hormones for the foetus
- It stores waste products from the foetus

Problems that may occur during pregnancy

- Vomiting
- Morning sickness
- Constipation
- Heartburn

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- Lower back pain/backache
- Anaemia/lack of enough blood
- Swelling of body parts e.g. hands, feet and face
❖ Teenage pregnancy is pregnancy in adolescent girls.
❖ A young parent is an adolescent who produces a baby under the age
of 18 years.
Causes of teenage pregnancy
- Sexual violence
- School drop out
- Forced early marriage I'm b
Effects/dangers of early marriage
- Contraction of STDS
- Damage of sexual organs
- Dismissal from school
How to prevent teenage pregnancy
- Abstain from sex
- Get advice, counseling and guidance
- Avoid moving alone at night
- Reject gifts for sex.
- Avoid joining bad peer groups
- Menstruation period stops
- Breasts grow bigger/enlarge
- The stomach/abdomen grows bigger/enlarges
- Frequent urination
- Morning sickness
- Vomiting/nausea
- Secretion of milk from breasts
Requirements of a pregnant woman/mother
- Balanced diet

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- Vaccination against tetanus using T.T vaccine
- Antenatal services/care
- Regular physical exercises
- Good hygiene

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