Reproduction is essential for the long-term survival of the human species. Understanding the process of reproduction helps us to care for mothers and babies before, during and after pregnancy. Parents and children form families which are an important element in society. Understanding the medical, ethical and societal issues around reproduction allows us to have an informed view.
13.1 Human sex cells
Humans are a species of animal and can only reproduce sexually. When the male gamete (sperm cell) meets and fuses with a female gamete (egg cell) the first cell of a new human is formed. The sperm is made in the testes of the male and the egg is made in the ovary of the female. The fusion of male and female gametes is called fertilisation. The fertilised egg divides in two to form two new cells. Each of these new cells grows and divides to form more cells. This process occurs repeatedly to eventually form millions of cells which develop into a baby in the mother’s womb.
Sperm Egg
These two cells fuse to form a fertilised egg
Fertilisation The fusion of male and female gametes.
LO 9 Biological World strand LO 10 Nature of Science strand
This cell divides
Then continues dividing to form a bundle of cells
Fig. 1 The fertilised egg divides repeatedly to form the millions of cells of the embryo.
