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.
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.
Pg. 465 Figure 3 The male reproductive glands. Two major functions ◦ The production of testosterone. ◦ The production of sperm.
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.
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.
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.
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).
LH signals the testes to begin producing testosterone. Testosterone and FSH then signal the production of sperm. Sperm production continues throughout adulthood.