Ch 20: AP Biology: Anatomy and Physiology of Reproductive Systems
About This Chapter
Anatomy and Physiology of Reproductive Systems - Chapter Summary and Learning Objectives
Although you probably know where babies come from, the reproductive cycle in males and females is a complex process that involves the whole body. In this chapter, our instructors will show you the intricate processes of reproduction. You'll see how eggs and sperm are made and the paths they travel after creation. You'll learn the structure of the male and female reproductive systems and even see how hormones control the functions of certain organs. This chapter is designed to teach you:
- The parts of the male and female reproductive systems
- How eggs and sperm are created
- The phases of the uterine and ovarian cycle
- How life is created in humans
Video | Objective |
---|---|
Male Reproductive System: Functions, Organs, and Anatomy | Take a look at the inner workings of the male reproductive system and the pathway that sperm takes. |
Male Reproductive System: Accessory Gland Functions | See which glands aid in the production of semen in human males. |
Testicular Anatomy: Structure, Terms, and Diagrams | Learn about the structure of the testes and how testosterone production influences sperm. |
Male Reproductive System: External Anatomy | Study the parts of the scrotal sac, penis, and erectile tissues. |
Sperm's Journey from the Testes to Urethral Orifice | Understand how newly-created sperm travel from the point of creation to the exit of the male reproductive tract. |
The HPG Axis: Hormones of Male Reproduction | Explore the hormones present in male humans that help control reproductive processes. |
Female Reproductive System: Internal Anatomy | Discover the inner workings of the female reproductive system. |
The Uterus and Uterine Wall: Structure and Parts | Examine the uterus and its role in the development of babies. |
External Anatomy of the Female Reproductive System | Take a look at the difference between males and females. |
HPG Axis: Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle | See how the female reproductive cycle is controlled by hormones. |
Phases of the Ovarian Cycle: Overview from Puberty to Menopause | Learn about the process through which the egg grows and matures. |
Follicular Phase of the Ovarian Cycle | Study the first part of the ovarian cycle in which the oocyte grows and matures. |
Luteal Phase of the Ovarian Cycle | Understand the second phase of the ovarian cycle, when the ovaries mature a set of oocytes. |
The Uterine Cycle: Phases and Endometrial Changes | Explore the changes that the uterus experiences during the monthly cycle. |
The Uterine Cycle: Menses | Discover how the female's uterus resets itself for the next month if pregnancy does not occur. |
The Uterine Cycle Proliferative Phase | Examine how the uterus prepares for the possibility of pregnancy each month. |
The Uterine Cycle: Secretory Phase | Take a look at the final phase of the uterine cycle, in which uterine tissue regrows. |
The Female Reproductive Axis: Coordination of the Brain, Ovaries, and Uterus | See how these organs work together to ensure the body is ready for reproduction. |
Ovulation to Implantation: Oocyte's Path through Uterine Tubes | Learn about the pathway the female's egg takes as it leaves the ovary. |

1. Male Reproductive System: Functions, Organs & Anatomy
Ever wonder what the inside of a male looks like? Find out in this lesson that explores the inner workings of the male reproductive system and the pathway that sperm takes.

2. Male Reproductive System: Accessory Gland Functions
Males require a number of different glands to aid in the production of semen. Find out more about those glands in this lesson covering the male accessory glands.

3. Testicular Anatomy: Structure, Terms & Diagrams
Ever wonder about where sperm is made? Find out in this lesson covering the function and anatomy of the male testes. We'll talk about sperm and testosterone production and how the two work together.

4. Male Reproductive System: External Anatomy
Learn about the structure and function of the external reproductive structures of the male. This includes study of the scrotal sac, the parts of the penis and the erectile tissues.

5. Sperm's Journey from the Testes to Urethral Orifice
Follow newly created sperm as they make their way from their origin of creation, the male testes, all the way to the exit of the male reproductive tract.

6. The HPG Axis: Hormones of Male Reproduction
Do you know how your body communicates? How does the brain get in touch with other parts of the body? In this lesson, you will learn about how the male's brain uses hormones to communicate to the testes as a way of regulating reproduction.

7. Female Reproductive System: Internal Anatomy
Ever wonder where a female produces her eggs or how they get from the ovary to the uterus? Find out in this lesson about the internal reproductive anatomy of females.

8. The Uterus and Uterine Wall: Structure and Parts
Learn all about the structure responsible for the development of babies in this lesson on uterine anatomy. Discover the three layers of the uterus and each layer's purpose.

9. External Anatomy of the Female Reproductive System
We all know that men and women are different. But just how different are they? Learn a little more about the differences between men and women in this lesson on female external reproductive anatomy.

10. HPG Axis: Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle
Everything in the female reproductive system is connected. See how the brain interacts with the ovaries during the female's ovarian cycle in this lesson covering the female HPG axis.

11. Phases of The Ovarian Cycle: Overview from Puberty to Menopause
Just like the human body has to grow and mature before it is ready to reproduce the female's gamete, the egg also has to grow and mature. This lesson will introduce the process through which that occurs, the ovarian cycle.

12. Follicular Phase of the Ovarian Cycle
The female gamete, the oocyte, grows and matures in a process known as the ovarian cycle. Learn about the first part of the ovarian cycle, the follicular phase, in this lesson.

13. Luteal Phase of the Ovarian Cycle
Each month, the ovaries recruit and mature a subset of oocytes in preparation for ovulation. Learn what happens after ovulation occurs in the second phase of the ovarian cycle, known as the luteal phase.

14. The Uterine Cycle: Phases and Endometrial Changes
Just like a woman's ovaries go through the monthly cycle of recruiting eggs, her uterus also goes through a monthly cycle as it prepares for the possible implantation of a fertilized egg. This lesson will introduce you to the phases and hormones of the female's uterine cycle.

15. The Uterine Cycle: Menses
Each month the female's uterus prepares for the potential of pregnancy. However, pregnancy doesn't occur the majority of the time. In those months, the female's uterus has to 'reset' itself for the next month. It does that during the first phase of the uterine cycle, menses.

16. The Uterine Cycle: Proliferative Phase
A woman's body goes through many changes as it prepares for the possibility of pregnancy. Learn about how the uterus prepares for pregnancy by building up its inner lining during this lesson on the proliferative phase of the uterine cycle.

17. The Uterine Cycle: Secretory Phase
The third (and final) phase of the uterine cycle is the secretory phase. During this phase, the uterine tissue regrowth is completed in preparation for the possibility of pregnancy and the implantation of a fertilized egg.

18. The Female Reproductive Axis: Coordination of the Brain, Ovaries & Uterus
Without proper communication between the brain, ovaries and uterus, reproduction might not be as efficient. Learn about how these organs work together to ensure the body is ready for reproduction.

19. Ovulation to Implantation: Oocyte's Path through Uterine Tubes
Follow the female's egg as it leaves the ovary and travels down the uterine tube on its way to the uterus - all with hopes of meeting up with a male's sperm along the way.
Earning College Credit
Did you know… We have over 220 college courses that prepare you to earn credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. You can test out of the first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. Anyone can earn credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level.
To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page
Transferring credit to the school of your choice
Not sure what college you want to attend yet? Study.com has thousands of articles about every imaginable degree, area of study and career path that can help you find the school that's right for you.
Other Chapters
Other chapters within the AP Biology: Exam Prep course
- Scientific Principles
- AP Biology: The Origin of Life on Earth
- AP Biology: Evolution Overview
- AP Biology: Inorganic Chemistry Review
- AP Biology: Organic Chemistry Review
- AP Biology: Enzymatic Biochemistry
- AP Biology: Cell Biology
- AP Biology: Requirements of Biological Systems
- AP Biology: Cell Division
- AP Biology: Metabolic Biochemistry
- AP Biology: DNA and RNA Overview
- AP Biology: DNA Replication
- AP Biology: The Transcription and Translation Process
- AP Biology: Genetics and Heredity
- AP Biology: Genetic Mutations
- AP Biology: Phylogeny and the Classification of Organisms
- AP Biology: Plant Biology
- AP Biology: Plant Reproduction and Growth
- AP Biology: Animal Reproduction and Development
- AP Biology: The Circulatory, Respiratory, and Excretory Systems
- AP Biology: The Nervous, Immune, and Endocrine Systems
- AP Biology: Ecology Overview
- AP Biology: Animal Behavior
- AP Biology: Basic Molecular Biology Laboratory Techniques
- AP Biology: Analyzing Scientific Data
- AP Biology: Laboratory
- AP Biology Exam Information
- AP Biology Flashcards