Physiology 2130 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Seminiferous Tubule, Male Reproductive System, Vas Deferens
8 Dec 2016
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Document Summary
The sections that we have covered so far have all dealt with physiological systems whose primary function is to maintain homeostasis. The combined functions of both male and female reproductive systems are to pass on the genes of the individuals and to maintain the species. Each cell in the body contains 23 pairs of chromosomes this includes a pair of sex chromosomes. The sex chromosomes consist of a large x chromosome and a smaller y chromosome. All eggs contain an x while the sperm can carry either an x or y. The sex of the future baby is determined at the point of fertilization if a sperm carrying the x penetrates the egg carrying the x, then a female will develop (xx). If a sperm carrying the y fertilizes the x bearing egg, then a male will develop (xy). However, development of each respective reproductive tract does not begin immediately after fertilization.
