9th grade · Science · Unit 4 of 28
Human Reproductive System
Structures, functions and hormones, explained simply.
What your child practices
Practices the structure and function of the human reproductive system and the role of hormones, in plain scientific terms. Families may wish to read it together.
New York State Learning Standards learning standard: HS-LS1-8 · the human reproductive system and how human reproduction and development continue life
How we explain it
Children can open this short lesson before they practice.
- The ovaries make eggs and the testes make sperm. Fertilization joins an egg and a sperm.
- Hormones such as estrogen and testosterone guide growth and development.
- A typical pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks. Identical twins come from one egg; fraternal twins from two.
Example: Identical twins develop from how many fertilized eggs? One fertilized egg splits into two embryos. That is why they share the same genes. Answer: one
Human Reproductive System in New York
In the New York State Learning Standards, this is unit 4 of 28 in 9th grade Science, after Photosynthesis & Respiration and before Evolution & Selection.
Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Sperm are made in the…
- testes
- uterus
- ovaries
testes
Hint: The testes are part of the male reproductive system.
Question 2
The main male sex hormone is…
- testosterone
- estrogen
- insulin
testosterone
Hint: It is produced mostly in the testes.
Question 3
Hormones are…
- tiny muscles
- types of bone
- chemical messengers carried in the blood
chemical messengers carried in the blood
Hint: They help control growth and development.
Question 4
Fertilization usually happens in the…
- uterus wall
- bladder
- fallopian tube (oviduct)
fallopian tube (oviduct)
Hint: Egg and sperm meet in the tube.
Question 5
A main female sex hormone is…
- testosterone
- adrenaline
- estrogen
estrogen
Hint: It is produced mostly in the ovaries.
Question 6
Why are the testes found outside the body?
- to protect them from water
- they do not need blood
- sperm develop best slightly cooler than body temperature
sperm develop best slightly cooler than body temperature
Hint: The scrotum helps to regulate temperature.