What is the reproductive system?

Hi again, children! In this post, I'm going to explain you what we have studied in class today. As you know, our unit is about human reproduction. For this reason, we want to know what the reproductive system is. First of all, we need to know what reproduction is. I am sure that you know it, as we have studied it in other courses! Can you remember it? Yes! You are right! Reproduction is an essential function in human beings, together with nutrition and interaction. And, do you know why reproduction is so important? Well, it is important because it enables humans to produce individuals similar to themselves, which is essential not to extinguish the human race. Now, I want you to think about something. Do you know where you were before you were born? I am sure that you know that, while your body was forming and growing, you spent nine months (more or less) in your mother's body. I think this is amazing, isn't it? In fact, your body is formed by millions of cells, but your life started with one cell, which divided into many different cells over time. This first cell was very special, because it was the result of the union of two cells, one from your father (the sperm) and the other from your mother (the ovum). You should also know that this first cell that is formed is called zygote and this process in which both cells are joint is called fertilisation. Furthermore, when the zygote starts to divide into many cells, it is called embryo. At this point, I think that you are ready to learn where the sperm and the ovum are created. Well, as you know, the reproductive system is different in men and women. In the case of the female reproductive system, it has two main functions: to produce ova (ova is the plural of ovum) and to protect and feed the growing embryo after fertilisation. In addition to this, the female reproductive system is made up of the following organs: the ovaries (which produce the ova), the fallopian tubes (which connect the ovaries to the uterus), the uterus (where the embryo develops), the vagina (which connects the uterus to the outside of the body) and the vulva (the external folds of skin).

With regard to the male reproductive system, it has the function of producing sperm. Moreover, the most important organs are: the testicles (which make sperm), the penis (which contains the urethra, though which the sperm leaves the body), the scrotum (which protects the testicles) and the vas deferens (which carry the sperm from the testicles to the ejaculatory duct).

You are likely to be wondering how wonderful life is. And you are absolutely right, as when the zygote is formed, pregnancy begins. Then, the zygote travels to the uterus, starts to divide into many cells and grows into an embryo. After two months of pregnancy, the embryo starts to look like a baby and is called a fetus. After nine months of pregnancy, the fetus is fully developed and is ready to be born. The birth is the process during which the fetus leaves the body through the vagina. At this point, the umbilical cord which connects the mother and the embryo is cut. The scar left on the stomach of the baby is called the navel.

Now, I want you to do two different activities to put what you have learned into practice. In the first activity, you have to click on the following link and do the proposed activities to revise the vocabulary about the reproductive system (remember to check your answers when you finish the activities): http://www.kscience.co.uk/revision/reproduction/reproduction_index.htm Finally, you are going to click on the following link to watch a video about the development of the embryo/fetus during pregnancy: When you have finished the video, you are going to write a report in your notebook with the main features of each trimester of pregnancy. IMPORTANT! Remember to use connectors in your report, such as: first of all, at the beginning, secondly, finally, then, afterwards…