Reproductive+System+6a

=Reproductive System=

====The reproductive system is the only system in the human body that isn’t necessary to keep an individual alive. However, it is necessary to keep a species alive. It is also the only system that differs so much between males and females. For example, the process is much longer for the female than the male, because the female is in charge of carrying the growing baby until birth. In the end, though, both males and females play a role in reproduction. Soon you will learn the importance of both.====

Organs/Function (Male)-
====The first thing you should know about the male and female reproductive systems are the organs and the functions of those organs. The male reproductive system is made up of many organs, including the epididymis and vas deferens (together they are called the duct system), the testicles, the seminal vesicles and the prostate gland (know as the accessory glands), the scrotum, and the penis. They are all essential to reproduction. The testicles produce and store sperm. The epididymis are coiled tubes around each testicle that connect to the vas deferens. The vas deferens are muscular tubes the transport the semen. The seminal vesicles are sac-like and are attached to the vas deferens and the bladder. Together with the prostate gland, they are called the accessory glands, and they provide fluids that smooth the duct system and nourish the sperm. The prostate gland produces parts of the semen and is found at the base of the urethra (a channel that carries semen out of the body). Finally, the penis is made of two parts: the shaft and the glans. The shaft is the main part, and the glans is the tip. At the tip is a small slit through which urine or semen exits. The inside of the penis is a spongy tissue that can expand and contract. Sometimes the foreskin of the penis is circumcised (cut away). This is done during the first few days of life and is not necessary to the function of the penis.====

Organs/Function (Female)-
====The female has a lot fewer organs in the reproductive system than the male. She has the uterus, the fallopian tubes, the ovaries, the cervix, and the vagina. The uterus is shaped like an upside-down pear. It has thick lining and muscular walls. It is where the zygote (fertilized egg) stays until birth. The fallopian tubes are tubes connected to the uterus and the ovaries. The egg and the sperm meet and join there, then travel together to the uterus. The ovaries are oval-shaped. They produce, store, and release eggs. The name cervix means neck. It is found between the opening in the vagina and the uterus. It has strong, thick walls, and can expand or contract to keep the baby in or push it out. The vagina is the passageway through which the baby leaves the mother’s body. It is a muscular, hollow tube lined with mucous membranes. It can expand or contract. As you can see, they all have an important job as part of the reproductive system.====

Primary Function/Where is it? -
====The reproductive system is located entirely in the pelvis of the female’s body. In the male’s, it’s inside and outside the pelvis. The function of the reproductive system is, well, to reproduce. To make new babies. For the female, this means produce the eggs, have sexual intercourse, protect and nourish the fertilized egg through all the stages of the zygote, blastocyst, embryo, fetus, and baby, then give birth. The male must produce the semen and release it into the female during sexual intercourse. During labor, the baby’s head presses on the cervix. The cervix then opens, and the mucus in the amniotic fluid loosens. Then the amniotic fluid leaves the body (that’s when the mother’s water breaks). Then comes birth. And the reproductive cycle is complete.====

Diseases/Health-
====Unfortunately, diseases always find their way into your body. The reproductive system has two main diseases, HIV and AIDS. They are both connected. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. You can have HIV but be perfectly healthy. AIDS, though, is the real disease. When you develop AIDS you can become very sick and may not get better. These are the most serious diseases, but there are many more. You can see some of these other diseases and more at []. There are ways that you can prevent these diseases. You shouldn’t have sexual intercourse with someone who has HIV/AIDS. Also, make sure that you use a clean, brand new needle for shots or earring piercings. HIV/AIDS is passed on through your blood. If you follow these rules you probably won’t get HIV/AIDS.====

Interacting with other systems-
====The reproductive system isn’t alone. It is helped and it helps other systems. During puberty, the body changes a lot. These changes help make the reproductive system function. They’re due to hormones. Hormones are chemicals produced by the endocrine system. The female’s ovaries and the male’s testicles help make some of these hormones. Before all of this happens, your body wouldn’t be able to reproduce. Therefore, the reproductive system interacts with the endocrine system. It also works with the urinary system to form the genitourinary system. This system allows you to reproduce, and use the bathroom. When the urinary system sends the urine to the bladder, it leaves through the urethra. You can learn more about the genitourinary system at [|http://library.thinkquest.org/5680/site/systems/genitourinary/index.html] Of course it also interacts with the immune system, to keep out diseases, and the nervous system, to know what to do. But it’s never alone, the human body works as one.====

====Now you have seen how the reproductive system works, equally between the male and the female. There are many organs working to keep our species alive. There are diseases related to the reproductive system and ways to keep it healthy. The reproductive system also interacts with other systems in the body. Even if we don’t notice any of these things happening, the systems of the human body never take a vacation.====

For my research I used the book __It's So Amazing!__, an article of the __Great Body Shop__, kidshealth.org and thinkquest.org.

Click here to see my amazing diagrams of the reproductive system. Click here to see my wonderful web of the reproductive system. Click here to see pictures of stages of the zygote to the baby.