Maharashtra Board Class 11 Child Development Chapter 3 Reproductive System PDF Download

Reproductive System

Observe the above picture.

What do you see?

A boy and a girl.

How did you recognize and label them as a boy and a girl?

You would have observed the outward physical appearance to differentiate them.

Activity

Both male and female have some common body systems. Can you name a few?

1 ......................................................................

2 ......................................................................

3 ......................................................................

4 ......................................................................

Which is the only system that differentiate a male from a female? Yes, you guessed right. The reproductive system is the only system in the body that distinguishes males from females.

The reproductive system consists of internal and external organs, in both, males and females. These organs function together for the purpose of procreating. The male and female reproductive systems are very different in nature. The male reproductive system has one main function i.e to produce and deposit sperms. Female reproductive system has two functions namely, to produce egg cells and to protect as well as nourish the foetus.

Teacher's Note

Boys and girls look different because of their reproductive system. Just like your face is different from your friend's face, boys and girls also have different body parts.

Exam Trick

Remember: Only the reproductive system is different between boys and girls. All other systems like digestive, circulatory, and nervous systems are the same in both.

Points to Remember

Male reproductive system makes sperms.
Female reproductive system makes eggs.
Both systems have internal and external organs.
The reproductive system is different in boys and girls.
This system helps in making babies.

Male Reproductive System

The male reproductive system includes the external genitals i.e the penis and the scrotum and the internal organs that include the prostate gland, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, epididymis and testicles.

Penis

This organ is used to eliminate urine and to release seminal fluid with sperms. The penis as well as the urethra belong to both the urinary and reproductive systems in males. Head of the penis is called the glans which is covered with loose layer of skin called foreskin. Opening of the urethra, the tube that transports semen and urine is at the tip of the glans. The penis also has many sensitive nerve endings.

Scrotum

The testes are carried in the external pouch called scrotum. Two scrotums are located below the penis They are loose pouch like sacs on either side of penis which normally remain slightly cooler than the body temperature to facilitate sperm production.

Testicles / Testes

Testes are the glands located in the scrotum. Production of sperm cells in the testes starts from adolescence. For the maturation of sperm cells testosterone, the male hormone is required. Testes contain two types of cells namely sperm cells and interstitial cells. Interstitial cells produce the hormone called Androgen which is the sex hormone.

Epididymis

This is a long-coiled tube that helps in the transport and storage of sperm cells. The function of Epididymis is to initiate maturation of the sperms.

Vas Deferens

This is a tube with thick muscle walls where mature sperm cells are stored. These mature sperms are transported to the urethra in preparation of ejaculation.

Sperm Cells

The length of the sperm is 0.05 micron and is visible only under a high power microscope. The sperm is divided into three parts:

1. Acrosome - Head

2. Nucleus and Mitochondria - Middle part

3. Flagellum - Tail

The head contains enzymes that help the sperms penetrate the ovum. The middle part of the sperm consist of the nucleus and mitochondria and the tail of the sperm helps the sperm move forward. In a month 10-30 billions sperms are produced in the testicles which take 60- 72 hours to mature.

Prostate Gland

Prostate gland is located between the bladder and the penis. It matures during adolescence. It produces a milky secretion with alkaline characteristics. It contains calcium phosphate and citric acid that nourish the sperms.

Seminal Vesicles

Seminal vesicles are located above the prostate gland and behind the urinary tract. They are in the form of bags which transport sperms to the urethra.

Teacher's Note

Boys make tiny sperms inside their testicles. These sperms are like soldiers that travel through tubes to help make babies.

Exam Trick

Remember: Testes make sperms. Prostate adds liquid. Vas deferens is the delivery tube. Think of it like a factory that produces and ships products.

Points to Remember

Testes produce sperm cells.
Epididymis stores and matures sperm.
Vas deferens carries sperm during ejaculation.
Prostate gland adds fluid to sperm.
Sperms are very small and need a microscope to see.

Female Reproductive System

The female reproductive system has external organs namely as Labia Majora, Labia Minora, Clitoris and internal organs which consist of ovaries or gonads, fallopian tubes, uterus and vagina.

External Organs of Female Reproductive System

Labia Majora

The labia majora encloses and protects other internal reproductive organs. This organ is covered with pubic hair at puberty.

Labia Minora

It lies just inside the Labia majora and surrounds the opening of vagina and urethra (opening for urinary excretion)

Clitoris

Meeting point of Labia majora and Labia minora is called clitoris which is sensitive to stimulation.

Teacher's Note

Girls have special parts to protect their inside body. Labia means lips in Latin. These protect the girl's private area just like a cover protects your notebook.

Exam Trick

Remember: Labia Majora = bigger outer lips, Labia Minora = smaller inner lips. Think of it like a folder inside a folder for extra protection.

Points to Remember

Labia majora is the outer protective layer.
Labia minora protects the vagina opening.
Clitoris is sensitive.
These are all external organs.
They protect the inside parts of the reproductive system.

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