Name Date Class
LESSON 1
The Reproductive System
A. Functions of the Reproductive System
1. The is a group of tissues and organs that enables the
male and female reproductive cells to join and form new offspring.
2. Human males make reproductive cells called . Human
females make reproductive cells called .
3. During , a sperm joins with an egg. After they are
joined, part of the reproductive system nourishes the
developing offspring.
B. The Male Reproductive System
1. The main function of the male reproductive system is to produce and transport
to the female reproductive system.
2. The are the male reproductive organs that produce
sperm.
3. The two testes are inside an external saclike structure called
the .
4. As sperm move through the male reproductive system, they mix with fluids
produced by . This mixture of sperm and fluids is
called .
5. The is a tubelike structure that delivers sperm to the
female reproductive system.
6. A mature sperm cell has three main parts—a head, a(n) ,
and a tail.
7. A sperm’s head contains and substances that help the
sperm join with an egg.
C. The Female Reproductive System
1. The female reproductive system produces immature egg cells
called .
2. The is the organ where oocytes are stored and mature.
3. A mature oocyte is called an egg, or .
10 Reproduction and Development
Name Date Class
Lesson Outline continued
4. About once each , an ovary releases an egg. It travels to
the .
5. The connects the uterus to the outside of the body.
6. The vagina is called the canal because babies leave their
mother’s body through this structure.
7. The provides a nourishing environment for the
offspring’s development.
8. Eggs contain and nourishment.
a. A female usually releases egg at a time.
b. An egg is produced only when the is prepared to
nourish an offspring.
9. To prepare for new offspring, the ovaries and uterus go through changes called
the .
a. During phase 1, or , tissue, fluid, and blood cells pass
from the uterus through the vagina and leave the body.
b. Near the end of phase 2, hormones cause the egg to leave the ovary
during .
c. During phase 3, if the egg encounters a sperm, it will join with the sperm
during .
10. During , the reproductive system stops releasing eggs,
and the menstrual cycle stops.
D. The Reproductive System and Homeostasis
1. The does not play a part in homeostasis.
2. The reproductive system and the system work together
and control when the sperm and eggs mature.
Reproduction and Development 11
Name Date Class
LESSON 1
The Reproductive System
Directions: Use the clues and the terms listed below to complete the puzzle. NOTE: There is no empty square in
the puzzle between the words of two-word terms.
penis / semen / sperm / structure / testis / vagina
Clues
Across
3. mixture of sperm and other fluids
4. cells and tissues arranged in a definite
pattern
7. male reproductive organ that produces
sperm
8. prepares the uterus for an offspring
10. structure that connects the uterus to
the outside of the body
11. structure that delivers sperm to the
female reproductive system
Down
1. joining of an egg and sperm
2. female reproductive organ where eggs
are stored and reach maturity
5. male reproductive cells
6. release of an egg from an ovary
9. female reproductive cell
Reproduction and Development 9
Name Date Class
LESSON 1
The Reproductive System
Directions: Label these diagrams by writing the letter of the correct term from the word bank on each line. Some
terms may be used more than once.
A. cervix
B. fallopian tubes
C. glands
D. ovary
E. penis
F. scrotum
G. testis
H. tube
I. urethra
J. urinary bladder
K. uterus
L. vagina
Reproduction and Development 13
Name Date Class
LESSON 1
The Reproductive System
Directions: Use the clues and the terms listed below to complete the puzzle.
eggs / endometrium / midpiece / oocytes / ovaryoviduct / ovulation / semen / sperm / uterus
Clues
Across
1. immature eggs
4. where an offspring develops
6. organ where oocytes are stored
8. center section of sperm
9. the tissue lining the uterus
Down
2. the release of an egg from an ovary
3. male reproductive cells
5. mixture of sperm and fluids
7. what an egg is released into
9. female reproductive cells
14 Reproduction and Development
Name Date Class
LESSON 1
The Reproductive System
Key Concept What does the reproductive system do?
Directions: Complete these paragraphs by choosing terms from the word bank and writing them in the correct
spaces. Each term is used only once.
organs / ovaries / ovulation / penis / produce
sperm / testes / transport / uterus / vagina
The human reproductive system is made of a group of tissues and
(1.) in males and females. Male reproductive cells called
(2.) and female reproductive cells called
(3.) join in a process called (4.) .
The main purpose of the male reproductive system is to (5.)
and (6.) sperm to the female reproductive system.
The male reproductive system has several parts for this purpose, including the
(7.) where sperm is produced, glands that produce
fluids that help move the semen along, and a(n) (8.) for
delivering the sperm. Sperm enters the female reproductive system through
the (9.) .
Although the male reproductive system has internal and (10.)
parts, all the parts of the female reproductive system are (11.) .
Females produce eggs, or (12.) , which are stored and mature in
special organs called (13.) . Once each month, usually one egg
is released from an ovary. This is called (14.) . The egg travels
through the fallopian tube to the (15.) . If a sperm has joined
with the egg, it remains in the uterus where it is nourished. If fertilization has not occurred,
(16.) occurs.
16 Reproduction and Development
Name Date Class
LESSON 1
The Reproductive System
Key Concept How do the parts of the male reproductive system work together?
Directions: On the line before each description, write the letter of the term that matches it correctly. Each term is
used only once.
1. organs where sperm are produced
2. an external saclike structure that hold the testes
3. contain nutrients that provide sperm with energy
4. release energy that enables movement of a
sperm’s tail
5. tubelike structure that delivers sperm to the
female reproductive system
6. produce fluids that become semen
7. male reproductive cells
8. part of sperm that contains DNA
9. part of sperm that contains mitochondria
10. long, slender part of sperm that whips back and
forth
A. glands
B. head
C. midpiece
D. mitochondria
E. penis
F. scrotum
G. semen
H. sperm
I. tail
J. testes
Reproduction and Development 17