Human Reproduction Webquest
Click through the following webquest
& complete all of the questions on a separate piece of paper.
Important Terms:

Gametogenesis – means “creation of gametes.” This refers to the process of meiosis during which the
reproductive cells are made.

Spermatogenesis – means “creation of sperm.” This refers to the process during which sperm cells are made.

Oogenesis – pronounced O-O-genesis, means “creation of ova”. This refers to the process during wich ova (egg
cells) are made.
Part II: Spermatogenesis
A. Go to the following webpage: http://wps.aw.com/bc_martini_eap_4/40/10469/2680298.cw/content/index.html
B. Click on the first link: spermatogenesis and watch the entire movie.
1. Where does spermatogenesis occur?
2. During puberty what hormone stimulates cells to begin meiosis?
3. How many sperm cells are created from each meiotic division?
C. Open another window and type in the following URL:
http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/olc/dl/120112/anim0043.swf
D. Watch the animation. Draw the process of spermatogenesis. Use the image and word bank below to help you!
Spermatgonia
Mitosis
Meiosis I
Meiosis II
Primary Spermatocyte
Secondary Spermatocytes
Spermatids
Differentiation
Sperm Cell
E. Complete the following questions / matching section. Continue to watch the animation as needed so that you can
do this.
4. Are spermatogonia diploid or haploid cells?
5. After the first division, mitosis, one cell remains a spermatogonia while the other continues on to form sperm.
Why do you think it might be important to have one cell remain as a spermatogonia? (HINT: Men start making
sperm at puberty and continue for their entire lives!)
6. How many chromosomes are in a sperm?
7. What is differentiation?
F. Review the picture of a sperm to the right. Notice it is
divided into 3 segments, the head, midpeice and tail. Copy
this chart into your notes, you will complete this with your
teacher.
Part of the Sperm
Acrosome
Nucleus
Midpiece
Tail
Function
Part III: Oogenesis
G. Return to the first webpage: http://wps.aw.com/bc_martini_eap_4/40/10469/2680298.cw/content/index.html
H. Click on the second link: reproductive system of the human female and watch the FIRST of the SEVEN tutorials
8. What are the four main parts of the female reproductive system?
9. Of these 4, which one is responsible for making the eggs?
10. Of these 4, which one do you think is most commonly referred to as the fallopian tubes?
11. Of these 4, which one is the sight of fertilization (where the egg and the sperm unite)?
12. Of these 4, which one is responsible for housing the baby while he/she matures?
I. Return to the first webpage: http://wps.aw.com/bc_martini_eap_4/40/10469/2680298.cw/content/index.html
J. Click on the third link: oogenesis and watch the animation (sound ON)
13. Where does oogenesis occur in females?
14. Mitosis and meiosis I begin BEFORE birth in females and then stops until what time in a female’s life?
15. The video states that each woman has a finite number of primary oocytes at birth. What does that mean?
16. When females perform meiosis I the cytoplasm of the cells is not divided equally. As a result the primary oocyte
creates a secondary oocyte and a
.
17. The secondary oocyte then enters the oviduct (fallopian tube) and begins meiosis II. The process of meiosis II
will not finish, though, unless what occurs?
18. How many actual ova (eggs) are created in one meiotic division?
Part IV: Comparing Spermatogenesis and Oogenesis
K. Return to the first webpage: http://wps.aw.com/bc_martini_eap_4/40/10469/2680298.cw/content/index.html
L. Click on the fourth link: comparison of spermatogeneis and oogenesis and watch the animation.
M. Copy the timelines (see below) and fill in: (1) when mitosis begins, (2) when mitosis ends, (3) when meiosis begins, (4)
when meiosis ends
Spermatogenesis Timeline
Embryo
Birth
Childhood
Puberty
Death
Oogenesis Timeline
Embryo
Birth
Childhood
Puberty
Menopause
Death
Part V: Fertilization
N. Go to the following webpage:
http://www.johnwiley.net.au/highered/interactions/media/Continuity/content/Continuity/c3a/screen0.swf
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
What happens during the process of fertilization?
Where, in the female reproductive tract, does fertilization occur? (vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries)
Why does the sperm release digestive enzymes when it comes into contact with the ova?
What causes the membrane of the secondary oocyte (mature egg) to change?
Why does the membrane of the egg change? What does this change prevent?
What happens to the egg after the nucleus of the sperm fuses with it?
What happens to the resulting polar body?
Use the movie and picture below to help you put the statements in the correct order.
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
The sperms acrosome opens and
the enzymes eat away at the egg
The cell membranes of the sperm
and egg fuse
The sperm approaches the egg
A fertilization envelop forms,
blocking out additional sperm
Proteins on the sperm bind with
proteins on the egg
The sperms nucleus enters the
egg
The nuclei of the sperm and egg
fuse, creating the zygote