• Name the parts of the female reproductive system.

• Describe the production, function and storage of egg cells.

• Explain the function of hormones in the female reproductive system.

KEY WORDSCervix Uterus Oocyte

Oviduct (fallopian tube) Follicle cell

Ovulation Corpus Luteum

Endometrium Menstrual cycle

Estrogen Progesterone

Female symbol represents hand mirror of Venus - the Roman goddess of love and fertility.

Female reproductive system must be able to:

• Produce eggs.• Nourish and hold zygote until fully developed.• Give birth.

Female sex organs:

Oviduct

Cervix

Uterus

Vagina

Urethra

Bladder

Ovary

Carries urine from bladder out vagina.

Vagina Receives sperm from the male and acts as the birth canal.

Cervix Connects the vagina to the uterus; opening to the uterus.

UterusFertilized egg will stop and implant in the wall of the uterus – Endometrium - to receive nourishment and protection as it develops.

Ovary Location of follicle cells which develop into a mature egg cell ready to be fertilized by sperm.

Oviduct (Fallopian tube)

Tube that takes the unfertilized egg and transports it to the Uterus. Fertilization takes place in Oviduct.

Urethra

Female gametes:• releasing an egg from ovary is called ovulation.

Process of Ovulation • Ovaries contain follicle cells• Follicle – egg (oocyte) plus surrounding cells.

• Oocyte develops inside until ovulation.• At ovulation, follicle bursts, releasing mature

egg.

• Surrounding cells form the Corpus luteum.• Corpus luteum releases hormones - if pregnant. • If egg NOT fertilized - corpus luteum disappears.

1. Follicle

2. Growing follicle

3. Mature oocyte

4. Released egg

5. Corpus Luteum

6. C.L. Releases hormones

• Fertilization of the egg takes place in the oviduct.

• Millions of sperm begin the journey, only a few thousand reach the egg in the fallopian tubes

• Only one can fertilize the egg.

• First sperm to penetrate the cell wall of the egg triggers a chemical reaction that prevents any other sperm from entering the egg.

Fertilization and Formation of a Zygote:

Fertilized egg lodges in the uterus wall – endometrium – where it receives nourishment.

Puberty:• more hormones are involved in the female system.• Pituitary gland releases LH and FSH.

FSH travels to ovaries, stimulate theproduction of hormone estrogen – outsidechanges.

FSH also stimulate follicles to develop – inside changes.

LH also triggers monthly ovulation and the formation of the corpus luteum.

Ovulation and Menstrual Cycle:• Female develops all egg cells (oocytes) as the

embryo grows - 7 million follicle cells.

• At puberty, only about 400,000 remain.

Menstrual cycle:

Monthly cycle of changes that occur in the ovaries and endometrial lining around ovulation.

Menstrual Cycle consists for four steps:approximately 28 days before repeating

1. Building up endometrium – follicular phase

2. Ovulation – releasing the egg

3. Preparing for pregnancy – luteal phase - releasing hormones in case of fertilization.

4. Shedding the endometrium – menstruation- if fertilization does not occur.

NO fertilization (no pregnancy):

Egg cell and thickened endometrial lining are discarded through menstruation.

Fertilization (pregnancy occurs):

No menstrual flow as the zygote is developing into an embryo and the endometrium is needed to nourish and protect it.