1.
As with previous organs system, we need to ‘introduce’ this particular organ system: the genital system.

2.
In the first place, as you know (unless you are from Mars …), and in contrast to the other organ systems, we have two different genital systems: one for females and one for males.

3.
Btw, this is not only true for humans, but also for other animals, especially in mammals.

4.
The major function of the genital system is very clear, procreation or reproduction (= making a new human being from two older humans). Without this genital system, mankind would cease to exist within a single generation.

5.
Interestingly, when we reproduce, we need to cooperate together, one male and one female. Why?

6.
The major reason is to exchange our DNA. Our children must not be an exact copy of ourselves (although some parents would want that very much!).

7.
Why should we not be exact copies of one parent? In short, evolution.

8.
The mixing of our DNA with each other makes it possible, in adverse situations, for some of us to survive, thanks to our genes, while others, who did not have these ‘good’ genes, were simply not lucky enough!

9.
In other words, mixing our DNA, during reproduction, is an important tool for the survival of the species (= “survival of the fittest!”)

10.
But, just one question if I may. If two genders are better than just one for the development of evolution and survival of the fittest, why not three genders, or four or …??? (hmmm, I think this is getting into science fiction!).

1.
Ok, we need to mix our DNA during reproduction, fine. But how do we do this?

2.
That is the main function of our genital system; both males and females produce cells that, when merged together, form a new individual.

3.
In the case of males, these cells are called sperm cells and are generated by their testes, a male genital organ.

4.
In the case of females, the cells are called oocytes (= eggs) and are generated by their ovaries, the female genital organ.When the sperm cells are mixed with the egg cells, a new individual is created, an embryo. This process, which occurs during the sexual act, is called fertilization.

5.
When the sperm cells are mixed with the egg cells, a new individual is created, an embryo. This process, which occurs during the sexual act, is called fertilization.

6.
The development of the embryo takes place in the female body until the embryo (later during pregnancy called a foetus) is large and developed enough to live on its own; at that stage the foetus is ‘delivered’ as a baby!

7.
Btw, how do you ‘mix’ the sperm cells with the eggs? And, as this is crucial for the survival of the species, this ‘fertilization’ must be done in the most reliable way.

8.
You cannot deliver the sperm cells by hand, of by kissing each other (you don’t want the sperm cells to disappear in the stomach!). You need a special apparatus for that. These are the external genital organs; the penis and the vagina.

9.
It is actually a simple but reliable way for transfer of one genital cell to the other; like a key and a lock system!

10.
Btw, the fact that the key belongs to one gender and the ‘receiving’ lock belongs to the other makes it obvious who is going to take care of the fertilized egg; the person who holds the ‘lock’; the female! This development takes place in the uterus, an organ that the male does not have.

1.
As soon as the baby is born, further development of that body takes place and a lot of things have to happen.

2.
The baby, later called a child, has to grow in size, must learn to stand on their legs, to walk, to eat and drink, etc. In short, all the organ system must develop and grow until the baby/child has become an adult; this takes about 12-18 years depending on the organ system (brain developments is slower than skeletal muscles for example).

3.
There is however one organ system that initially does not develop; the genital system! This organ system lays ‘dormant’ in the body until it finally wakes up at the end of the development of the child; puberty!

4.
As you may know, puberty is not the easiest stage of one’s life, for all kind of reasons (brain development, surging hormones, sexual arousal, menstruation etc.).

5.
But ultimately (at least in most cases), the child becomes a responsible adult, takes his or her place in society and has now enough responsibility to take care of his or her new major job; create a new generation!