The Sperm and the Egg: A Story of How Charlie and Penelope Met and Fell in Love
PSY/265
March 10, 2013

The Sperm and the Egg
Many people have had to sit through the birds and the bees’ explanation of where babies come from. Parents use this because it is a way of explanation without feeling as uncomfortable as one would be if they had to look their child in the eye and describe exactly what happens. This explanation would probably be easier for a parent than going through the difficult task of clarification of the scientific process even though it will be much more useful later on in life. Because every parent has to explain the process no matter the method, it would probably be more effective if the use of visual aids that show each of the steps in how the process works. However, it should be age appropriate and at the parents discretion. Both girls and boys need this information (sexual reproductive system) explained to them in any case because if left in the dark, not only would the girl be at a disadvantage when she starts menstruating, but they could end up being a parent too young in their lives. These things can be a major shock if unprepared.
To explain how the scientific version works, one would have to first look at and explain the male and female body parts used; the vagina and penis. The vagina consists of the cervix, uterus, and two ovaries which are connected to the fallopian tubes. All of these complex structures are what makes the woman’s reproductive system work. “When a girl is born, she has all the ova she will ever need and while the number is about 2 million, a lot of that 2 million will never mature. She is likely to only have 400,000 make it to puberty. Even then, during a woman’s reproductive years (from early stages to menopause), approximately 400 or so mature ova will make it (one a month) to being released by follicles for a chance at fertilization” (Rathus, S. A., Nevid, J.S., and Fichner-Rathus, L. 2011). Since a woman will produce so few eggs (even while a fetus), it is unknown how an egg has potential to be chosen for fertilization. The egg starts out being in the woman’s ovaries. The ovaries has the job of producing estrogen and pro-estrogen. The egg is then fertilized within the fallopian tubes. However, since sperm can live up to a total of five days in the uterus, it could give details into why a woman could become pregnant within a few days when she is due to ovulate. The egg unfortunately does not have a lengthy schedule. The egg only has a 12 to 24 hour lifespan after it leaves the ovaries.
The male sexual reproduction system is different in that it is external. It includes the penis and scrotum. The penis has a total of three cylinders of spongy type material that runs along the length of the penis. When sexually aroused the cylinders fill with blood and the result is the erection. When the male achieves an orgasm, the penis releases semen through the urethral external opening of the urethra called the urethral meatus. The internal sex organ of the male would include; the testes, located inside the scrotum. “The scrotum is a pouch of loose skin that becomes covered lightly with hair at puberty. It has two compartments that hold the testes.” (Rathus, S. A., Nevid, J. S., & Fincher-Rathus, L. 2011). Both of the male’s testicles are held in place by a spermatic cord, which also hold the cremaster muscle, the nerves and blood vessels, and the vas deferens. “The vas deferens is a coiled duct that conveys sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory and the urethra” (Medicinenet.com, 2013). The testes have the responsibility of producing germ cells (or sperm) as well as sex hormones. “To produce a mature sperm will take around two months and starts in the seminiferous tubule (testes) which is one of two or three twisted, curved tubules in each lobule of the testis in which spermatozoa develop” (The Free Dictionary, 2013). However once the sperm has matured enough, it will move to the epididymis and wait to be freed through the urethra. As it is moving through the urethra, it is joined by a substance that accompanies the sperm to help it to meet the egg. Dissimilar to women who have all the eggs they will ever have, a man’s sperm is seemingly never ending. They can produce enough sperm to populate earth in very few ejaculations.
A woman cannot become pregnant with a child without having sexual intercourse. The penis is inserted into the vagina, intercourse occurs. Once sperm (in this case Charlie) is released from the penis into the vaginal canal, Charlie propels himself by whipping his tail; swimming through the cervix and into the uterus. Once he arrives at the uterus, the fallopian tubes are next with him swimming another six or seven inches and several hours to achieve. By this time, Charlie is tired yet strangely determined to make it to the egg (Penelope). Penelope has already gone through her necessary process of ovulation and is just waiting for the Charlie to arrive. However, along the way Charlie has to go through a process of change to ready him for the egg. Once he reaches Penelope, mitochondria speeds up Charlie, along with something close to 100 of his buddies that have arrived with him. Charlie is not afraid however because he is determined to make his way. He is ahead of the game because he has gone through the “capacitated “procedure and is ready to get closer to Penelope. He, along with his other friends begins to drill with their little heads and tails to get through the outer wall of Penelope’s barriers and this propels Penelope counterclockwise. At this time she is still sheltered in a sheath of nutrient cells that the Charlie must break through. Once Charlie’s cap disappears into the first layers, he releases enzymes that help Penelope’s wall to become more exposed so he can penetrate it. Once Charlie infiltrates her inner cell of plasma, Penelope is overtaken by a chemical composition that changes it. This process automatically shuts out all Charlie’s friends, even if they have almost broken through. However, Charlie still has a way to go before the fertilization process is done. Charlie begins to work like a spinning top, with his head revolving due to his tail actions. Once Charlie inserts his entire head and passes through the ovum wall he penetrates Penelope’s plasma, and bit by bit heads towards the genetic substance which is stored deep inside Penelope. Both Charlie and Penelope are drawn toward each other and love begins anew. Once they have joined together, right away there are numerous hereditary characteristics of a new individual that are determined. The reproduction process has been completed successfully.

Reference
Medicinenet.com. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=20863

The Free Dictionary. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/seminiferous+tubule

Rathus, S. A., Nevid, J. S., & Fincher-Rathus, L. (2011). Human Sexuality in a world of diversity (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.