Q.Write two major functions each of testis and ovary.
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →The testis and ovary are the primary reproductive organs (gonads) in males and females respectively, each performing two essential functions: producing gametes (sperm in males, ova in females) and secreting sex hormones that regulate reproduction and secondary sexual characteristics.
The male and female reproductive systems are built around a pair of gonads — the testis in males and the ovary in females. These organs are not just passive containers; they are active endocrine glands and gamete factories. Understanding their dual role is central to grasping how human reproduction works.
Let us begin with the testis, the male gonad. Each testis is located in the scrotum, outside the body cavity, which keeps them at a temperature slightly lower than the core body temperature — a condition necessary for sperm production. The testis performs two major functions.
First, the testis produces male gametes called spermatozoa (sperm). This process, called spermatogenesis, takes place in the seminiferous tubules — highly coiled tubes that make up the bulk of each testis. The seminiferous tubules are lined by germinal epithelial cells that divide and differentiate into sperm. This is a continuous process that begins at puberty and continues throughout life, though the quality and quantity decline with age.
Second, the testis secretes the male sex hormone, testosterone. This is the work of the Leydig cells (or interstitial cells), which lie in the spaces between the seminiferous tubules. Testosterone is an androgen — it is responsible for the development of male secondary sexual characteristics at puberty, such as the growth of facial and body hair, deepening of the voice, increased muscle mass, and the maturation of the male reproductive organs. It also plays a crucial role in maintaining spermatogenesis and libido.
The NCERT textbook specifically mentions that the Leydig cells secrete testosterone, while the Sertoli cells (inside the seminiferous tubules) provide nourishment to the developing sperm. So the two functions — gamete production and hormone secretion — are carried out by different cell types within the same organ.
Now, let us turn to the ovary, the female gonad. The ovaries are paired, almond-shaped organs located in the pelvic cavity, one on each side of the uterus. Like the testis, the ovary has two major functions, but with a key difference in timing and cyclical nature. …
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