Section III. INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN GENITAL (REPRODUCTIVE) SYSTEMS
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SEXUAL DIMORPHISM
The human male and human female each has a system of organs specifically
designed for the production of new humans. These systems are known as reproductive
or genital systems. Since there are different systems for males and females, the genital
systems are an example of sexual dimorphism.
MORPH = form, shape
D1 = two
SEXUAL = according to sex (gender)
SEXUAL DIMORPHISM = having two different forms according to sex
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ADVANTAGES OF DOUBLE PARENTING
The existence of two parents for each child means that genetic materials are
recombined to produce a new type. This new type may be an improvement over
previous generations.
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MAJOR COMPONENT CATEGORIES OF THE GENTIAL SYSTEMS
Components of the genital systems may be considered in the following
categories:
a. Primary Sex Organs (Gonads). Primary sex organs produce sex cells
(gametes). A male gamete and a female gamete may be united to form the one-cell
beginning of an embryo (the process of fertilization). Primary sex organs also produce
sex hormones.
b. Secondary Sex Organs. Secondary sex organs care for the product of the
primary sex organ.
c. Secondary Sexual Characteristics. Secondary sexual characteristics are
those traits that tend to make males and females more attractive to each other.
Secondary sexual characteristics help to ensure mating. These characteristics first
appear during puberty (10-15 years of age).
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