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Class Period _ FIGURE 1.

Before doing this lab, have students read sections 24:3 in the text.

24-3 What are the Stages in the Menstrual Cycle?

The human female reproductive system has several different roles to
perform. It produces a new egg each month for fertilization. It must
prepare the lining of the uterus for a new embryo if fertilization of an egg
does occur. This is accomplished by a thickening of the uterus lining.
It must shed the egg and thickened uterus lining if fertilization does not
occur. All of these events occur in a cyclic pattern each month in a sexually
mature female.
INTERPRETATION
Process Skills: interpreting data, inferring,
classifying, communicating
OBJECTIVES

In this exercise, you will:

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a. review the organs that form the human female reproductive system.
b. prepare a calendar that shows the changes occurring during the human vagina
menstrual cycle if no fertilization occurs.
c. prepare a calendar that shows the changes occurring during the human
menstrual cycle if fertiliiation occurs. Part. B. Changes in the Meo!ltrual Cycle; No Fertilization of Egg
l. Obtain a copy of Figure 2 from your teacher.
2. Use scissors to cut out the square diagrams in Figure 2. These diagrams show
KEYWORDS
the different stages that occur during the menstrual cycle if fertilization does not
Define the following keywords:
occur.
fertilization joining of egg and sperm cell 3. Look over the calendar marked Figure 3. It describes a series of events that take
place in the female reproductive system if fertilization does not take place.
menstrual cycle monthly changes that take place in female reproductive system 4. Match the diagrams that you cut out with the events being described in the

calendar.

ovary female sex organ that produces eggs 5. When all diagrams have been properly matched, tape them onto the calendar in
oviduct tubelike organ that connect the ovaries to uterus their proper location to the right of the brackets describing the events.
Be sure students use Figure 2 models with Figure 3.
uterus muscular organ in which fertilized egg develops
Part C. Changes in the Menstrual Cycle; Fertilized Does Occur

MATERIALS
scissors
tape
•
You will need to photocopy Figures 2 and 4 for students.
You may wish to have students work in groups.
l. Obtain a copy of Figure 4 from your teacher.
2. Use scissors to cut out the square diagrams in Figure 4. These diagrams show

the different stages that occur during the menstrual cycle if fertilization does

occur.

3. Look over the calendar marked Figure 5. It describes a series of events that take
place in the female reproductive system if fertilization does take place.
PROCEDURE
4. Match the diagrams that you cut out with the events being described in the

Part A. Review of the Female Reproductive System

calendar. .

l. Use the following parts and their description for help in properly labeling Figure l. 5. When all diagramJ have been properly matched, tape them onto the calendar in
NOTE: The diagram is l/3 natural size. their proper location to the right of the brackets describing the events. ­
a. ovary-two are present, round in shape Be sure students use Figure 4 models with Figure 5.
b. egg-small cells present within ovary
c. uterus-large muscle, V-shaped, largest part of reproductive system Advise students that Figures 2 and 4 are not drawn in their proper sequence. Students will have
d. oviduct-thin tube connecting each ovary to uterus to determine the proper order of events based on information provided on the calendars. You
e. uterus lining-inner wall or lining of uterus may wish to check calendars before students tape models in place to verify that models are
positioned in correct sequence.
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FIGURE 3. Day by day changes in the menstrual cycle-no fertilization of egg

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Name Class Period _ QUESTIONS

1. Describe the role or function of the following:
a. ovary produces egg cells
b. uterus lining serves as a surface upon which young embryo can attach

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c. uterus muscle serves as a protective chamber for developing embryo;

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2. An average menstrual cycle with no fertilization takes how many days? of egg
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3. Describe the changes that take place during the menstrual cycle from day 1-4 to
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a. unfertilized egg lost from body through vagina

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c. egg in ovary beings to mature
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6. Describe the changes that take place to an egg

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7. Explain why the female
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