1) Spermatogenesis
- occurs in the testes of the male body at puberty.
- sperms/spermatozoa can survive in the human female body for about 72 hours (3 days).
- the smallest cell in the male body & it can swims by beating its tail.
- formation of healthy sperms require 2-3 oC lower than ideal body temperature.
- each spermatogonium will give rise to 4 genetically different funtional sperms.
a)
- Oogenesis is the production of ovum which occurs in the ovary of the female.
- One oogonium will eventually produce one functional ovum/secondary oocyte & polar bodies (which hv no function in fertilisation)
- Ovum/secondary oocyte is the biggest cell in the female body, about 0.02cm in size.
- it couldn't move by itself & can survive for about 24 hours (one day)
- after that, the ovum/secondary occyte is considered too old to be fertilised to produce a healthy embryo.
b) refer to your notes for comparison between oogeneis & spematogenesis.
- In oogenesis, the cell division is interrupted at Prophase I and Metaphase II.
3) The menstrual cycle
- ovulation (the release of secondary oocyte from the ovary) occurs at around day 14.
- 2 groups of hormone that regulate the menstrual cycle are:
i) pituitary hormone - FSH & LH
ii) ovarian hormone - oestrogen & progesterone.
