1. 3.12 Male reproductive system (SEC 4.1 PG 108)

2.  There are two kinds of sexual traits. Primary traits and secondary traits.

3.  Secondary characteristics are not needed for sexual reproduction:  Growth spurt  Facial hair  Underarm hair  Pubic hair  Deepening of the voice  Widening of the shoulders (usually not until the 20s)

4.  Secondary characteristics start with puberty which begins when the brain tells the testes to start producing more testosterone. This usually starts between the ages of 11 and 13.

5.  The primary traits are related to making sperm and delivering it to the egg in the female. All the primary traits relate to these two purposes.

6.  Sperm:  Male gamete  Specialized cell that is designed to fertilize an egg.  Head = Contains the haploid DNA for fertilizing the egg, contains the acrosome to break into the egg.  Middle Piece = Contains mitochondria to power the flagellum.  Tail = Acts as a propeller to push the sperm along.

7.  Male reproductive system has the following parts:  Two testes – these produce the sperm and hang outside the body. This keeps the sperm from overheating.  Scrotum – a skin sac that protects the testes.  Seminiferous tubule – tubes in the testes where sperm are produced.  Epididymis – where the sperm mature.  Vans deferens – tubes that carry the sperm from the testes to the penis.  Seminal vesicle, Prostate, and Cowper’s gland – They all add to the seminal fluid to help the sperm survive better. They provide a fluid for the sperm to swim in, sugar to feed the sperm, and protect the sperm from the acidic vaginal tract.  Urethra – In the male it carries the urine and sperm. Never at the same time.  Penis – The organ that enters the female when erect and ejaculates the semen (sperm and fluid) into the female.