Physiology 2130 Lecture 14: Module 14 – Reproductive System
12 Feb 2017
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Document Summary
Combined function of both male and female reproductive system: pass on the genes of the individuals and to maintain the species. The reproductive system fetal development of the reproductive system. Each cell in the body contains 23 pairs of chromosomes, including a pair of sex chromosomes. The sex chromosomes consist of a large x chromosome and a smaller y chromosome. All eggs contain an x chromosome while the sperm can carry either an x or y chromosome. The sex of the future baby is determined at the point of fertilization: If a sperm carrying the x chromosome penetrates the egg carrying the x chromosomes, then a female will develop (xx) If a sperm carrying the y chromosome fertilizes the x chromosome bearing egg, a male will develop (xy) Development of each respective reproductive tract does not begin immediately after fertilization. During the first 6 weeks of development, male and female embryos contain common (sometimes called indifferent) gonads.
