Male and Female Reproductive System

The human reproductive system includes the male reproductive system, which produces sperm and the female reproductive system, which releases the egg cells.

Male Reproductive System

Male reproductive cells are called sperms. The word sperm is derived from the Greek word "Sperma." The male sperm determines a baby's sex. 

The main parts of the male reproductive system are:

• Testes or Testicles: This male organ creates sperm. After a man attains puberty, he will make millions of sperm cells daily. The testicles produce testosterone in the male reproductive system. This hormone stimulates the production of sperm.
• Urethra: The urethra fleshes the semen out during ejaculation.
• Penis: It is an external organ located outside the body of a man.
• Sperm duct: This duct helps move the sperm from the testes to the outside of the body. It is also called the vas deferens.
• Scrotum: This layer of skin protects the testes of a man.
• Erectile tissue: It is located in the corpora cavernosa of the penis.
• Foreskin: This piece of skin covers the head of the penis.
• Glands: The three glands in the male reproductive system are the prostate gland, seminal vesicles, and bulbourethral glands. The prostate gland and seminal vesicles make a whitish fluid called seminal fluid, which mixes with sperm to make semen. 
• Vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure done in a male to stop the supply of sperm to the semen. Without sperm, pregnancy is not possible. 

Female Reproductive System

The female reproductive cell is also called Ovum. It is visible to the human eye and can be seen without a microscope.

The main parts of the female reproductive system are:

• Ovary: An ovary will release an egg during the middle of the menstrual cycle. In women, an egg is mainly released from the right ovary than the left ovary.
• Cervix: The cervix connects the vagina to the uterus. It is usually 2-3 cm long, and its size will vary depending on a woman's age and genetics.
• Uterus/womb: The uterus keeps the fertilised egg till the fetus is delivered.
• Vagina: This female organ is responsible for birth and sexual intercourse. It connects the uterus and cervix to the outer body parts of a woman.
• Fallopian tube: The fallopian tube or oviduct will transfer the egg from the ovary to the uterus.
  

Fertilisation

The act of penetration and insertion of the male penis into the female vagina is commonly referred to as copulation or sexual intercourse. The fluid released by a man during sexual intercourse is called semen. The colour of the seminal fluid is white, and the process of discharge of the seminal fluid is called ejaculation. Fertilisation occurs when a sperm cell successfully penetrates and merges with an egg cell within the fallopian tube. If the egg is not fertilised, it will die in about a day. The unfertilised egg will be released from the vagina leading to menstruation.