Topic

7 Animal

Reproduction

LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this topic, you should be able to: 1. 2. 3. Differentiate between sexual and asexual reproduction; Explain the female reproductive system ; and Describe the list of nutrients that should be taken during pregnancy.

INTRODUCTION
Reproduction is the biological process of producing offsprings. This is crucial for future generation to continue. Without reproduction, a particular species or population might become extinct.

ACTIVITY 7.1
By the end of this topic, you should be able to: 1. 2. 3. Differentiate between sexual and asexual reproduction; Explain the female reproductive system ; and Describe the list of nutrients that should be taken during pregnancy.

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7.1

SEXUAL AND ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

Sexual and asexual reproduction are two different processes. What are the difference? What organs are involved? Lets read on.

7.1.1

Difference between sexual and asexual reproducetion

Sexual reproduction involves sperms and ovumes. In other words, the process occur when there are two individuals. Most common example is normal human reproduction. On the other hand, Asexual reproduction involves parthenogenesis. In simpler words, an individual can reproduce without involving another individual of the same species. Common example is the division of a bacterial cell into two subcells. We will discuss sexual reproduction in human beings. We will also touch on the development of newborn babies. So lets explore.

ACTIVITY 7.2
(a) (b) Search this scientific term Thelytoky. Explain in your own words. Find out about Meselson effect. How does Meselson effect take place in animal reproduction?

7.1.2

Male Reproductive System

The male sexual organs (Figure 7.1) are situated outside of the body. The organ, named penis, functions as an organ to transfer sperms into the female sexual organ.

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Figure 7.1: Male reproductive organs Source: http://www.faqs.org/health/images/uchr_02_img0144.jpg

ACTIVITY 7.3
From the World Wide Web and based on Figure 7.1, look for the functions for: (i) (ii) Prostate gland Urethra

(iii) Ejaculatory duct (iv) Scrotum (v) Spermatic cord

(vi) Ureter (vii) Bladder

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7.2
7.2.1

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Female Reproductive Organs

Female reproductive system (Figure 7.2) is always internal. The functional part that is in contact with male reproductive organ is the vagina.

Figure 7.2: Female reproductive system Source: http://www.faqs.org/health/images/uchr_02_img0146.jpg

ACTIVITY 7.4
(a) Elaborate the functions for each organ stated below: Cervix Uterus Oviducts Ovaries Why do you think women are more prone to diseases and sicknesses? You may discuss this issue in a group of 3 students. It is highly recommendable to have a female representative in each mini group. Creighton Model is related to womens fertility and menstrual cycles. Explain the theories behind this model. Kindly refer to Wikipedia for detailed reference.

(b)

(c)

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7.2.2

Menstrual cycle

To have a better understanding of this new concept, it simply means the recurring cycle of ovulation that takes place in every reproductive women. Refer to Figure 7.3 for better explanation and illustration of concepts.

Figure 7.3 : Menstrual Cycle Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:MenstrualCycle2.png

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From the illustration in Figure 7.3, you can see that ovulation happerns between day 13 to 15 of a menstrual cycle. A cycle commonly takes 28 days to complete. What other aspects can you notice for each cycle ? Among others you will notice that the cycle is divided into Follicular Phase and Luteal Phase ; hormones vary at different levels ; and body temperature changes.

ACTIVITY 7.5
(a) (a) Differentiate between follicular phase and luteal phase. What can you conlude from the phases? Present your answer by using Microsoft Excel. Corpus luteum is developed during luteal phase. Can you find the meaning of Corpus Luteum? Visit http://mum.org. and summarise the functions of this organisation to women. Menopause signals the end of a menstrual cycles of women. What are symptoms when a woman is suspecting of having menopause?

(b) (c) (d)

7.2.3

Fertilisation

Fertilisation refers to fusion of gametes to form a new organism. This process involves a sperm fusing an ovum like in animals. Some related terms to fertilisation are fecundation and syngamy. In addition, there are concepts like chemotaxis and acrosome reaction that happen during fertilisation. Chemotaxis refers to the behavioural response by an organism like the sperm swimming towards the egg. Acrosome reaction occur when the sperm approaches the egg (refer to Figure 7.4).

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Figure 7.4: Acrosome reaction of the sperm Surce: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrosome_reaction

ACTIVITY 7.6
(a) (b) (c) (d) Define fecundation and syngamy. With the aid of diagram, explain how chemotaxis happen. Acrosome reaction. Elaborate this process. State one example of organism that has this reaction. How do you relate between genetics research and fertilization?

7.3

PREGNANCY

Pregnancy is the result of fertilisation. Healthy pregnancies will usually lead to healthy babies. Therefore, as mothers-to-be, it is important to eat the food with nutrients during pregnancy.

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7.3.1

Nutrition during Pregnancy

The following are nutrients essential for health: Cabohydrates Protein Vitamin Fat Calcium Minerals Fibre Water Other nutrients

In our daily life, we should have a balanced intake of nutritious food (as shown in Figure 7.5).

Figure 7.5: Nutritous food Surce: http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland /schools/4_11/uptoyou/images/flash_plate.jpg

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It is more important to eat right during pregnancy as the baby will depend on the mother for formation and development in the womb. he following is a guide for food intake during pregnancy (refer Figure 7.6).

Figure 7.6: Healthy food pyramid during pregnancy Source: http://kidsdirect.net/images/Pregnancy_nutrition_pyramid.gif

ACTIVITY 7.7
(a) Visit http://www.nutritiondata.com for future information regarding nutrition during pregnancy. Compare the information that you have with other groups. [Hint: divide yourself into few manageable groups]. Dietician, food scientist, food technology and nutritionist. Who do you think is the most suitable person to prescribe a diet menu to pregnant mothers? Debate this question. [Hint: be open and accept other peoples opinions]

(b)

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7.3.2

Factors that contribute to the Health development of the baby

Besides taking enough nutrients during pregnancy, there are other factors that can contribute to the healthy development of a baby: Living conditions Parental care Environmental quality

SELF-CHECK 7.1
(a) (b) (c) What is sexual reproduction? Draw and label the female reproductive system. What should you eat more during pregnancy?

Sexual reproduction involves sexual organs which act as to transfer the sperm to the ovum. This is in contrast with asexual reproduction. Menstrual cycle is crucial in producing ovum for fertilisation. Pregnancy and babys health are part of the parenting skills that one should know.

Asexual reproduction Extinct Fertilisation Ovulation Partenogenesis Penis Sexual reproduction Sperms Vagina

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Advameg. (2004). Internet FAQ Archives. Retrieved June 06, 2008. from http://www.faqs.org/health/images/uchr_02_img0144.jpg. Advameg. (2004). Internet FAQ Archieves. Retrieved June 06, 2008, from http://www.faqs.org/health/images/uchr_02_img0146.jpg. Chen, P. (1992). Biologi STPM jilid 1. Kuala Lumpur: Penerbit Fajar Bakti Sdn Bhd. Lee, S. C. & Liew, S. L. (2000). Biologi STPM edisi kedua. Kuala Lumpur: Penerbit Fajar Bakti Sdn Bhd. Lewis, R. (1998). Life third edition. United States: McGraw Hill. Wikipedia Inc. (2008). Menstrual Cycle. Retrieved June 06, 2008, from from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:MenstrualCycle2.png.