Male Reproductive System Life Sciences Grade 12 Study Notes

Male Reproductive System Life Sciences Grade 12 Study Notes. The male reproductive system includes the external genitals (the penis, testes and the scrotum) and internal parts, including the prostate gland, vas deferens and urethra. Your fertility and sexual traits depend on the normal functioning of your reproductive system, as well as hormones released from the brain

On this page you will find Male reproductive system Grade 12 Life Sciences Notes under Human Reproduction, which includes revision activities with questions and answers to help grade 12 learners to prepare for their tests and exams

Male Reproductive System Life Sciences Grade 12 Study Notes

• Seminal vesicle: A gland that produces a nutrient- rich fluid that that provides energy for the sperm cells
• Cowper’s gland: Produces mucus that helps with the movement of sperm cells
• Scrotum: Skin sac that protects the testes and holds the testes ‘outside’ the body, at a temperature that is 2°C below 37°C. This is the best temperature for the production of sperm
• Prostate gland: Produces an alkaline fluid that neutralises the acids produced in the vagina, which would kill sperm cells
• Sperm duct: Transports sperm from the epididymis to the urethra
• Urethra: Transports semen and urine out of the body
• Epididymis: Sperm cells mature and are stored here
• Testes: Produces sperm cells and the hormone testosterone

Functions of testosterone

The testes produce the hormone testosterone, which has the following functions:

1. Development of male secondary sexual characteristics, such as beard, pubic hair, deep voice and a muscular body.
2. Stimulates the maturation of sperm cells.

Structure of a sperm cell

• Acrosome: Contains enzymes to digest the wall of egg cell for fertilisation
• Nucleus: Contains 23 chromosomes
• Mitochondria: Provide energy for swimming
• Tail: Used for swimming

Question and Answers Activities:

Find short and long questions for Grade 12 Life Sciences, which will help you to prepare for the exams, tests, practical tasks, and assignments.

Questions

1. Name the accessory glands of the male reproductive system and give ONE function of each.
2. Name the organ where testosterone is produced.
3. Give TWO functions of testosterone.
4. Name all the parts of the sperm cell that are responsible for movement. State what the function of each part is.
5. Explain the role of the nucleus of the sperm cell in fertilisation.

Answers

1. Seminal vesicle, produces a fluid that contains nutrients, for
   the sperm cells, so that they have energy to swim.
   Prostate gland, produces an alkaline fluid, that neutralises acids, produced in the vagina, so that sperm cells are protected, Cowper’s gland, produces mucus, that helps with the movement, of sperm cells.
2. Testes
3. Testosterone is responsible for the development of male secondary sexual characteristics, and it stimulates the maturation of sperm cells.
4. Mitochondria, provide energy for swimming. Tail, moves in a whip-like fashion to propel the sperm cell forwards.
5. The nucleus contains 23 chromosomes, and fuses with the nucleus of an egg cell, which also contains 23 chromosomes, The result is a zygote with
   46 chromosomes 2n