Detailed Summary of Female Reproductive Organs
This section covers the anatomy and function of female reproductive organs in humans, including the ovaries, oviducts (fallopian tubes), and uterus. The ovaries are responsible for producing female gametes, known as ova or eggs. Each month, typically one matured egg is released into the oviduct. When a sperm cell from the male meets the egg, fertilization occurs, resulting in a zygote, which is the initial stage of a new individual.
Fertilization can either take place internally or externally, with human reproduction being an example of internal fertilization. This process merges the nuclei of the sperm and egg to form a single nucleus, leading to the development of an embryo. After fertilization, the zygote divides repeatedly, embedding itself into the wall of the uterus, where it develops into a foetus. The section highlights the differences between viviparous (birth-giving) and oviparous (egg-laying) animals and introduces terms related to reproduction, such as fertilization, embryo, and metamorphosis.