Human Reproduction: Summary

Summary

Reproduction is a process which helps in the continuity and maintenance of a species. Human beings are sexually reproducing and viviparous. The reproductive events include gametogenesis, insemination, Fertilisation, cleavage, implantation, placentation, gastrulation, organogenesis and parturition.

The female reproductive system consists of a pair of ovaries, a pair of oviducts, uterus, cervix, vagina and external genitalia. The male reproductive system consists of a pair of testes, a pair of duct system, accessory glands and external genitalia called penis.

The process of formation of gametes in the male is called spermatogenesis and in the female is called oogenesis. The reproductive cycle in females is called menstrual cycle and it is initiated at puberty. The ovum released during the menstrual cycle is fertilized by the sperm and the zygote is formed.

Zygote undergoes repeated mitotic division and the blastocyst is implanted on the walls of the uterus. It takes about 280 days or 40 weeks for the entire development of the human foetus and it is delivered out through the process of child birth or parturition. The new born baby is breast fed by the mother.