2.  One essential process of all living things is reproduction, the process by which organisms produce offspring.  The process begins by producing reproductive cells in both males in females.  In males, the cells are called sperm.

3.  Produce sex hormones, to produce and store sperm, and to deliver sperm to the female reproductive system.  In the female reproductive system, a sperm cell may join with an egg in fertilization.  Under the right conditions the fertilized egg develops into a baby.

4.  Pg. 465 Figure 3  The male reproductive glands.  Two major functions ◦ The production of testosterone. ◦ The production of sperm.

5.  Hang outside the main body cavity, within a sac of skin called the scrotum.  Their temperature is a few degrees cooler than the temp inside of the body.  Sperm need this lower temperature to develop properly and survive.

6.  In some males, one or both of the testes may not descend into the scrotum before birth, a condition called undescended testis.  Sperm will not develop properly in an undescended testis because the temperature is too high.  The condition is also a risk factor for cancer.  Surgery usually will correct this condition.

7.  An external sexual organ through which sperm leave the body.  The tip of the penis is covered in loose skin, called foreskin.  In some males the foreskin is removed shortly after birth, in a procedure known as circumcision.  This decision is usually based on cultural or religious reasons.

8.  Once a male reaches puberty, millions of sperm are produced in his testes each day.  Sperm production begins when the hypothalamus signals the pituitary gland to release two hormones—Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

9.  LH signals the testes to begin producing testosterone.  Testosterone and FSH then signal the production of sperm.  Sperm production continues throughout adulthood.