What is the reproductive system?

The system of organs that produce offspring and ensure the perpetuation of the species is .

At its most basic level, reproduction is the process by which a single cell duplicates its genetic material. This is the process of mitosis. Mitosis allows us to grow and repair damaged or old tissues. In this sense, cellular reproduction enables us to maintain ourselves. However, reproduction is also the process by which our genetic material is passed on from one generation to the next.

This process requires a special kind of cellular reproduction that produces special cells, the sperm from the male and the egg from the female. These join in the process of fertilization to produce a zygote.

The special type of cellular division that produces the reproductive cells is called meiosis. Meiosis is a reduction division of the genetic material. This results in an egg carrying 23 chromosomes and the sperm carrying 23. When fertilization occurs, the resulting zygote will possess the full complement of 46 chromosomes.

The organs of the reproductive system produce the reproductive cells, transport and nurture their development. Once an egg is fertilized by a sperm, the resulting zygote develops into an embryo in the uterus of the female and grow into a fetus. The fetus will continue to develop until birth.

This is a diagram of Female Reproductive system :

And this is a diagram of Male Reproductive system :