PSYB20H3 Chapter 2: PSYB20 Ch. 2 - Conception, Heredity, & Environment
Document Summary
At birth, a female is believed to have about 2 million immature ova in her two ovaries, each ovum in its own small sac, or follicle. In a sexually mature woman, ovulation occurs about once every 28 days until menopause. After being expelled from the ovary, the ovum is swept along through one of the fallopian tubes by tiny hair cells, called cilia , toward the uterus, or womb. Conception occurs when a male"s sperm cell penetrates a female"s egg cell. Fertilization typically occurs while the ovum is passing through the fallopian tube. Fertilization: the union of sperm and ovum to produce a zygote; also called conception. 12-16% of canadian couples aged 15-44 years old experience infertility. Infertility: inability to conceive after 12 months of trying. Unless there is known cause for failure to conceive, the chances of conception after 18-24 months are high. For couples struggling with infertility, science offers alternative ways to parenthood.
