For the IB Biology course. Core content, with added slides at the end to bring AHL content that often pops up in student questions.

1. Reproduction (Core)
Stephen Taylor
i-Biology.net
Image: Ovum, from Gray’s Anatomy http://www.bartleby.com/107/illus3.html

2. Assessment Statements Obj.
6.6.1 Draw and label diagrams of the male & female reproductive systems. 1
Outline the role of hormones in the female menstrual cycle, including FSH (follicle
6.6.2 2
stimulating hormone), LH (luteinising hormone), estrogen and progesterone.
Annotate a graph showing hormone levels in the menstrual cycle, illustrating the
6.6.3 changing hormone levels and menstruation, thickening of the endometrium and 2
menstruation.
6.6.4 List three roles of testosterone in males. 1
6.6.5 Outline the process of IVF (in-vitro fertilization). 2
6.6.6 Discuss the ethical issues associated with IVF. 3
What connections can you make with other topics?
Reproduction
Command terms: http://i-biology.net/ibdpbio/command-terms/ Assessment statements from: Online IB Biology Subject Guide

3. Ovum and Spermatozoa
Gametes are haploid sex cells
that fuse through fertilization in
sexual reproduction to form a
diploid zygote.
Although only one ovum is (usually)
matured and released per menstrual cycle,
a billion or more sperm cells can be
100 μm released in a single ejaculation. Only one is
required (and able) to fertilize the ovum.
Image: Ovum, from Gray’s Anatomy http://www.bartleby.com/107/illus3.html
Image: sperm cell from the BBC http://goo.gl/GbM4N

4. Male Reproductive System
Click on the interactive above to label the male
reproductive system:
http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/body_basics/male
_reproductive.html
Image: sperm and egg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sperm-egg.jpg

5. A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H

9. A
B
C
D
E
I F
G
H

11. An oocyte is the precursor to an
Egg cells develop in follicles. egg cell. All oocytes have been in
This micrograph shows an oocyte developing into a
place since before birth. At the
mature ovum, inside a follicle in an ovary.
onset of puberty, they start to be
matured and released on a cycle.
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) triggers the
development of the follicle and oocyte.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Human_ovarian_follicle.jpg

12. Click on the animation above to go to watch
the graph form (APBI Schools.org.uk)
http://goo.gl/eCNcH

14. menstruation menstruation
D
A
B
C
http://www.abpischools.org.uk/page/modules/hormones/horm4.cfm?age=age%20range%2016-19&subject=applied%20science

19. More Menstrual Cycle Animations
Video and doctors’ advice from NHS UK: Simple animation, no graphs:
http://www.nhs.uk/Video/Pages/Menstrualcycleanimation.aspx http://kidshealth.org/parent/interactive/frs_it.html
How the contraceptive pill work?
 this site has a good comparison of the
regular menstrual cycle and the cycle with
the influence of contraceptive pills.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/pill/sfeature/sf_cycle.swf

23. Beyond the syllabus
Challenge questions or health-class topics

25. http://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/wwwhuman/Stages/CStages.htm

27. The Contraceptive Pill.
By taking a supplement of hormones, the menstrual cycle
can be manipulated to prevent pregnancy.
Explain how it works.
day1
Take the red* pill
• it is a placebo (no hormones)
• it is an iron supplement
21 7
Take the blue* pill
• every day at the same time
for 21 days
• it is made with estrogen and
progestin (synthetic
progesterone)
14
(*They’re not really red and blue)
Morpheus image from
Other contraceptive pills work in other ways. http://www.memecreator.org/template/morpheus-pills

28. Challenge Questions.
Deduce the answers to these questions, based on what you know about menstrual cycle
hormones. Check your answers using reliable sources.
1. If a woman misses taking her pill for a few days in a row, should she:
a. Continue where she left off, taking the hormone pills?
b. Skip that number of days and keep taking the pills?
c. Skip ahead to the iron/placebo pills and scrap the rest?
2. What is the ‘morning after’ pill and how does it work (up to 120 hours after intercourse)?
3. What other methods of contraception are there and what are their relative pros and cons
regarding:
• prevention of pregnancy?
• protection from STI’s?
• ease of use?
The only guaranteed way to avoid pregnancy and STI’s is to abstain from sexual intercourse.
Be informed, make healthy choices and seek guidance if you need it.
Remember it is your body and your choice. Stay in control.
If you have more questions, or need-to-knows, ask the school nurses or
visit http://www.plannedparenthood.org/

30. XKCD: http://xkcd.com/699/
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