The Reproductive System by Alvin Silverstein

Corpus luteum (KOR-pus LOU-tee-um): Yellowish remains of a burst ovarian follicle that secretes progesterone. Clitoris (KLI-to-ris): Small protruding mass of erectile tissue at the top of the labia minora. Circumcision (sirnkum-SIZH-un): Surgical removal of the prepuce or foreskin of the penis.

Chromosomes (kro-meh -somes): Threadlike structures found in the nucleus of cells that carry the genetic material or genes that determine heredity. Cervix (SIR-viks): Lower necklike portion of the uterus leading into the vagina. Bulbourethral glands (bull-bo-yoo-REE-thruhl GLANDZ): Glands located underneath on either side of the prostate gland in males that secrete fluid that becomes part of semen. Alveolar glands (al-VEE-o-lar GLANDZ): Glands within the lobes of mammary glands that produce milk. Areola (ah-REE-oh-lah): Circular, darkened area surrounding the nipple of each breast.

Amnion (AM-nee-on): Fluid-filled sac that surrounds a developing embryo/fetus. Adenosine triphosphate (ah-DEN-o-seen try-FOS-fate): High-energy molecule found in every cell in the body. The Reproductive System: Words to Know Acrosome (AK-ro-sohm): Tip of the head of a sperm cell that contains enzymes to digest the membrane of an ovum. The male genitalia (external sex organs) are the scrotum and penis. Accessory glands -seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral glands -produce secretions that combine with sperm to create semen.

The reproductive ducts -epididymis, ductus deferens, ejaculatory duct, and urethra -carry sperm from the testes to the exterior of the body. Their main function is to produce male gametes or sperm, which fertilize ova or female eggs (they also produce the male hormone testosterone). The primary organs in the male reproductive system are the testes. Despite their joint purpose to produce offspring, the two systems are quite different in structure and function. These gonads produce reproductive or sex cells called gametes they also secrete sex hormones. In both, the primary sex organs are called gonads. Each system is composed of primary and accessory reproductive organs. The male and female reproductive systems form the halves that come together to create new human life. The reproductive method whereby a male and female of a particular species interact and exchange genetic material to create offspring is called sexual reproduction. This method, in which a single organism reproduces itself, is called asexual reproduction.

Some organisms reproduce by splitting in half or by growing buds that eventually turn into copies of the original organism. All living things on the planet reproduce more of their own kind, and they do so in one of two ways. Without the reproductive system, babies would not be born to grow into adults to give birth to more babies. An individual does not need the system to survive, but the human race does. The reproductive system makes life possible.

The Reproductive System by Alvin Silverstein