LIFE SCIENCES
GRADE 12 REVISION PROGRAMME
TOPIC: HUMAN REPRODUCTION part 1
PRESENTERS : NONHLANHLA MTSHALI &
SAMANTHA RUGUNANAN
DATE: 29 FEBRUARY 2024
HUMAN REPRODUCTION: 41 marks
Female
reproduction
system
Male
reproduction
system:
Puberty:
Menstrual
cycle:
Hormonal
control of the
menstrual
cycle:
Development
of the foetus:
Diagram of
female
reproduction
system with
labels, functions
and parts.
Diagram of the
ovum
Diagram of male
reproduction
system with
labels (front and
side view),
functions and
parts.
Diagram of
sperm cell
Period where
physical
changes occur
in the bodies
of males and
females in
order for
males and
females to be
capable of
sexual
reproduction.
Testosterone
stimulates
puberty in
males.
Oestrogen
stimulates
puberty in
females
Events
occurring in
the ovary
(ovarian cycle)
and uterus
(uterine cycle)
during the
menstrual
cycle of
approximately
28 days
Role of the 4
hormones in
controlling the
menstrual
cycle i.e.,
FSH, LH,
oestrogen and
progesterone
Development
of the embryo
after
fertilisation to
form a foetus.
Development
of the foetus
for 39 -40
weeks.
Diagram of
the foetus
inside the
uterus
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
CONTENT
ELABORATION
Introduction
Revision of the schematic outline of the human life cycle to show the role of meiosis, mitosis and
meiosis, mitosis and fertilisation.
Structure of the male
reproductive system
Structure of the male reproductive system, using a diagram
Functions of the testis, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicle, prostate gland, Cowper's gland, penis and
gland, Cowper's gland, penis and the urethra
Structure of the
female reproductive system
system
Structure of the female reproductive system, using a diagram
Functions of the ovary, Fallopian tubes, uterus lined by endometrium, cervix, vagina with its external opening
vagina with its external opening and the vulva
Structure of the ovary, using a diagram, showing the primary follicles, the Graafian follicle and the corpus
Graafian follicle and the corpus luteum
OUTLINE OF THE HUMAN LIFE CYCLE
The role of
• Meiosis
• Fertilization
• Mitosis
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Consists of:
• A pair of testes situated in the
scrotum.
• The epididymis, vas deferens,
ejaculatory duct and urethra.
• The accessory glands:
seminal vesicles, prostate
gland and Cowper’s glands.
• The penis.
Front view
Side view
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Prostate gland
Seminal vesicle
Sperm duct: Transports sperm
from the epididymis to the urethra
Urethra: Transports semen and
urine out of the body
Cowper’s gland
Scrotum: Skin sac that protects the testes
and holds the testes
‘outside’ the body, at a temperature that is
2°C
below 37°C. This is the
best temperature for the production of
sperm.
Epididymis: Sperm cells mature
and are stored here
Testes: Produces sperm cells and
the hormone testosterone
ACCESSORY GLANDS
Accessory glands – prostate gland, Cowper’s gland and seminal vesicles
Secretions of accessory glands are essential for maturation and motility of
sperms.
• Contains nutrients – which provide energy for the movement of the
sperm;
• Is alkaline – to neutralise the acidic conditions of the vagina; and
• Contains mucus – which is important for the mobility of the sperm in the
female reproductive system.
The secretions of the accessory glands together with sperms constitute
the semen
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Consists of:
• A pair of ovaries
• Fallopian tube leading from each ovary
each ovary
• Uterus or womb
• Vagina or birth canal
• Vulva or external opening
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Fallopian tube: Connects the
ovaries to the uterus, transports ova from
the ovary; it is the site of fertilisation
Ovary: Produces ova,
secretes progesterone and
oestrogen
Vagina: Receives the penis
and semen during sexual
intercourse; it is the passage
through which the baby is born
Uterus: Carries the
embryo and foetus during
pregnancy
Endometrium: Inner lining
of uterus; a place where the
embryo implants and the
placenta forms
Cervix: Lower, narrow part
of uterus. It stretches to
allow the baby through
during childbirth
STRUCTURE OF THE OVARY
•
The primary female sex organs situated in the
pelvic cavity on either side of the uterus
Each ovary is surrounded by a layer of diploid (2n)
germinal epithelium that divides to produce haploid
(n) ova by the process of oogenesis.
Functions:
The ovaries produce and release ova.
They produce the female hormones oestrogen and
progesterone
•
ACTIVITY 1
1.1 Give the LETTERS of ALL the structures that are involved in each of
the following:
(a) Production of the fluid part of semen.
A, B and C 
(a) Transportation passageway of sperm and semen.
D and E 
1.2. Name
(a) Gland B
Prostate Gland
(b) The hormone produced by the testes, that brings about the
development of male secondary sexual characteristics.
Testosterone 
ACTIVITY 1
1.3 Test results show that this man has a low sperm count.
Explain why a doctor would advise him against wearing
tight underwear.
(3)
Tight underwear will keep the testes close to the body(cause)
the temperature of the testes will be too high  (effect) &
sperm will not mature / (effect) sperm production will be
negatively affected.
Learners lost marks when
they answered that testes
regulate temperature and it is
kept at +- 2oC below body
temperature, they gave the
function of the testis and
didn’t answer the question
ACTIVITY 1
1.4 Explain what would happen to the male’s ability to reproduce if
the part labelled D is blocked off.
(3)
No sperms will be transported to the penis  which will result in
no fertilization  and no offspring will be produced  no
reproduction 
Learners lost marks when they gave
the function of D, they didn’t answer
the question. You need to say what
will happen if it is NOT working
1.5 Explain how the secretions of structures A and B improve the chances of
fertilisation. (4)
-The secretion is alkaline to neutralise the acidity of the vagina/ urethra
- The secretion contains nutrients for the sperm to generate energy for
movement 
- The secretion is a fluid/mucus which facilitates the movement of the sperm cells
ACTIVITY 2
The diagram below shows the female
reproductive system.
2.1 Identify part:
(a) A
Fallopian Tube 
(b) C
Cervix
2.2 Give the LETTER only of the part where each of the following
takes place:
(a) Meiosis
B
(b)Fertilisation
A
ACTIVITY 2
The diagram below shows the female
reproductive system.
2.3
State TWO functions of part E
(2)
Responsible for the protection of the embryo  from
implantation to birth
and provides space for the developing foetus 
2.4
What is the function of the nutrient rich fluid that enables
sperm to reach part A.
Gives the sperm cell energy  to reach part A
(1)
ACTIVITY 3
The diagram below represents the female
reproductive system.
3.1 Identify part B.
(1)
Endometrium 
3.2 Name the process that takes place in part A that leads to
zygote formation.
(1)
Fertilization 
3.3 Describe the process named in QUESTION 3.2. (1)
The (nucleus of the) sperm fuses with (the nucleus of) the
ovum 
3.4 Describe how the secretion of the prostate gland provides
protection for the sperm from the conditions in part C. (2)
The secretion is alkaline  which - neutralises the acidic
conditions  of the vagina
The word
protection tells
you that you
must look at
alkalinity
PUBERTY AND GAMETOGENESIS
PUBERTY
• Is a time of life when a person becomes sexually mature.
• Physical changes occur between 10 and 14 in girls and 12 and 16
for boys
• It begins when the hypothalamus in the brain starts releasing
gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
18
PUBERTY IN MALES
Starts when GnRH stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to secrete:
– Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) – which stimulates the testes to
produce sperm,
– Luteinizing hormone (LH) – which stimulates the testes to produce
testosterone
19
PUBERTY IN FEMALES
Starts when GnRH stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to secrete:
– Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) – stimulates a follicle in the
ovary to develop and secrete oestrogen
– Luteinizing hormone (LH) – stimulates the development of the
corpus luteum in the ovary to secrete progesterone
20
SECONDARY SEXUAL CHARACTERISTICS
GAMETOGENESIS
• Gametogenesis is the formation of gametes by meiosis
In females,
gametes (ova) are
formed by the
process of
oogenesis
In males, gametes
(sperm cells) are
formed by the
process of
spermatogenesis
22
PROCESS OF SPERMATOGENESIS
In
the process of gametogenesis is called
Exam guideline:
• Under the influence of testosterone
• diploid cells in the seminiferous
tubules
• of the testes undergo meiosis
• to form haploid sperm cells
23
STRUCTURE OF THE SPERM CELL
The head is mainly
made up of the nucleus
containing 22
autosomes and either
an X or Y gonosome.
The long tail enables the
sperm to swim up the
fallopian tube
The middle piece is
made up of numerous
mitochondria to
provide energy for
locomotion.
The acrosome contains enzymes
that dissolve the ovum’s
membrane
24
PROCESS OF OOGENESIS
In
the process of gametogenesis is called
Exam guideline:
1st meiotic division
2nd meiotic
division
•
Diploid cells in the ovary undergo mitosis
•
to form numerous follicles.
•
At the onset of puberty
•
and under the influence of FSH,
•
one cell inside a follicle enlarges and undergoes meiosis.
•
Of the four cells that are produced, only one survives to
form a mature, haploid ovum.
•
This occurs in a monthly cycle
STRUCTURE OF THE OVUM
The
cytoplasm
nourishes
the ovum
The nucleus
contains 22
autosomes
and an X
gonosome
The jelly layer provides protection for
the early developmental stages
of the fertilized ovum
26
DRAWING SKILL
Practice Question: Draw a labelled diagram to show the structure of a sperm cell.
You must be
able to draw
and label the
ovum and
sperm cell.
27
DRAWING SKILL
Practice Question: Draw a labelled diagram of an ovum.
Remember all drawings
must:
 Include a caption
 Be drawn in pencil and labelled
in pen
 Label lines must not cross
 Be large and fill half a page
28
Activity 1- Gauteng Prelim 2022
The diagram below represents the sperm cell.
1. State how the following structures are suited to assist the
sperm cell to perform its function:
a) The mitochondria
(2)
-increased surface area for cellular respiration / to provide
energy
-to enable movement of the sperm cell 
b) The acrosome
(2)
contains enzymes  to dissolve the outer membrane of the
ovum 
for the (sperm cell) nucleus to enter the ovum  /for
fertilization
Activity 2- Gauteng Prelim 2022
Sperm cells and ova are produced by spermatogenesis. This happens when
diploid cells undergo meiosis to produce haploid cells.
1.Tabulate TWO differences between gametogenesis in males and females
not mentioned in the text above
Activity 2- Gauteng Prelim 2022
Gametogenesis in males
Gametogenesis in females
Called Spermatogenesis
Called oogenesis
Stimulated by testosterone 
Stimulated by FSH
Take place in the testes /seminiferous tubules
Takes places in the ovaries /follicles
Results in 4 sperm cells being produced 
Results in 1 ovum being produced 
Process starts at puberty 
The process starts before puberty /at birth
Any (2X2) +1 table
(5)
ACTIVITY 3: DBE NOV P1 2022
The diagrams below show the structure of a normal and an abnormal sperm. (The diagrams are
drawn to scale.)
2
Describe the role of structure B during
fertilisation.
-
1
Identify part A.
Acrosome
(1)
(1)
Fuses with the nucleus of the ovum
Carries genetic material
Any 1
3
Explain the role of the organelles found in large
numbers in part C.
(2)
-
Produce energy/ (cause) site for cellular respiration
which is needed for movement(effect) of the sperm
ACTIVITY 4: DBE NOV P1 2022
The diagrams below show the structure of a normal and an abnormal sperm. (The diagrams are
drawn to scale.)
4 Explain TWO reasons why sperm 1 is structurally
better suited for fertilization than sperm 2. (4)
-
The oval/torpedo-shaped head (structure)
will facilitate faster movement (function)
-
The presence of an acrosome (structure)
enables the nucleus/head to enter the
ovum(function)
-
A longer tail(structure)
ensures faster movement
(function)
(Mark first TWO only) Any (2 x 2)
THANK YOU
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