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Unit details


ANHB2216 Human Reproductive Biology [UG]

Credit 6 points
Availability Semester 2
Old unit code 910.216
Outcomes The overarching aim of this unit is to study the reproductive biology of humans within the context of our social, cultural and evolutionary history.

Skills: Students are able to present clear and reasoned argument in written and oral work; use the library resources, including databases, to obtain information pertaining to human reproductive biology; critically assess relevant scientific literature in human reproductive biology and present their argument in oral and written work; co-operate with other students to complete tasks and solve problems by working in small groups; describe the use of various research approaches to study issues in human reproductive biology from the level of molecular to biology to the level of the species; and correctly operate a light microscope.

Scientific principles and general biology: Students can correctly use units of measurement to describe weight, volume, length, concentration and pressure; use correct terminology to describe biological rhythms; describe the structure, function and mode of action of the major male and female reproductive hormones; and describe the determinants of hormonal action including their mode of transport, secretion pattern, concentration and action of receptors.

Female reproductive biology: Students can name, identify and describe the gross and histological appearance of the major components of the human female reproductive tract; relate the structural characteristics to the function of each part of the tract; describe the major changes that occur in the female reproductive tract over the menstrual cycle; describe the hormonal control of ovarian function; describe the embryonic development of the female reproductive system and the role of hormones in its control; relate the structural changes in the female reproductive system associated with age (e.g. puberty, sexual maturity, menopause) to functional changes and consider the evolutionary basis for the timing of these events.

Male reproductive biology: Students can name, identify and describe the gross and histological appearance of the major components of the human male reproductive tract; relate the structural characteristics to the function of each part of the tract; describe the hormonal control of testicular function; relate the stages of meiosis to gametogenesis in males and females; compare and contrast gametogenesis in males and females; describe the embryonic development of the male reproductive system and the role of hormones in its control; relate the structural changes in the male reproductive system associated with age (e.g. puberty, sexual maturity, senescence) to functional changes and consider the evolutionary basis for the timing of these events.

Gamete transport and fertilisation: Students can describe the transport of sperm from the male reproductive tract at ejaculation including the origin and role of each of the seminal constituents; the transport of sperm from the vagina to the uterine tube; and the process of fertilisation including the important role of the acrosome reaction and the zona pellucida sperm binding sites ZP3 and ZP2.

Implantation and placentation: Students are able to describe the process of human implantation and decidualisation of the endometrium; describe the histological structure of the mature placenta, and the structural and functional changes in the placenta over the course of pregnancy; and describe the major endocrine and transport functions of the human placenta.

Fetal growth and development: Students can describe the pattern of normal fetal growth and its regulation throughout gestation; list the major physical milestones reached by the fetus throughout gestation; using crown rump length, weight, femur length, foot length and knowledge of physical development, estimate the age of fetuses throughout gestation; describe the approaches that are currently used to monitor fetal development and wellbeing and consider the ethical implications of these techniques; consider the implications of inadequate fetal growth to adult health status.

Birth and lactation: Students can describe the maternal adaptations to pregnancy including physical, physiological and psychological in the light of human evolutionary history; describe the process of normal human parturition and its hormonal control; relate the hormonal control of parturition to explain the basis of current approaches used for therapeutic induction of labour; describe the histological appearance of the lactating breast and understand the major hormonal signals controlling its function.

Social issues in human reproduction: Students can describe the mode of action, and advantages and disadvantages of available contraceptives; describe developments of new contraceptives; explain the major causes of infertility in females and males; describe the major treatments available for infertility and the social and ethical issues associated with these treatments; explain the main causes and social and biological consequences of sexually transmitted infections.
Content This unit builds on Level 1 human biology to develop the structural and functional basis of human reproduction including structure and function of the reproductive organs, gametogenesis, fertilisation, early embryogenesis, fetal development and preparation for birth, maternal adaptations to pregnancy and reproductive ageing. Particular emphasis is placed on the hormonal control of reproduction. This information is then used to examine social issues including human sexuality, infertility, birth control, the cause and prevention of malformation and the impact of new techniques in reproductive biology. The unit provides students with a sound understanding of human reproduction in light of our evolutionary history, culture and society.
Assessment This consists of a two-hour theory examination (40 per cent), a one-hour practical examination (25 per cent) and continuous assessment (35 per cent).

Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit except in the case of a bachelor's pass degree student who has obtained a mark of 45 to 49 and is currently enrolled in this unit, and it is the only remaining unit that the student must pass in order to complete their course.
Unit Co-ordinator(s) Assistant Professor Kathy Sanders
Location UWA (Crawley)
Mode on-campus
Unit Rules
Advisable prior study: 12 points from ANHB1101 Human Biology I, ANHB1102 Human Biology II, BIOL1130 Core Concepts in Biology, BIOL1131 Plant and Animal Biology, SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell. Human biology units are strongly recommended. Students who have not passed ANHB1101 Human Biology I must contact the unit co-ordinator for prescribed pre-reading.
Contact hours—lectures: 2 hrs per week; labs/tutorials: 2 hrs per week
Unit web page http://www.lab.anhb.uwa.edu.au/ANHB2216
[Some unit web pages are still under construction and will be available in 2010.]
Texts

Heffner, L. J. and Schust, D. J. The Reproductive System at a Glance, 2nd edn: Blackwell Publishing 2006 or

Johnson, M. H. and Everitt, B. J. Essential Reproduction, 6th edn: Blackwell Science 2007 or

Pinon, R. Biology of Human Reproduction: University Science Books 2002



  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of going to press but may be subject to change.
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  • Books and other materials wherever listed may be subject to change. Book lists relating to 'Preliminary Reading', 'Recommended Reading' and 'Textbooks' are, in most cases, available at the University Co-operative Bookshop (from early January) and appropriate administrative offices for students to consult. For first-year units the Bookshop will endeavour to make available photocopies of book lists for individual units. Books marked with an asterisk (*) are available in paperback.
The University of Western Australia
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Friday, 28 August, 2009 at 12:59 PM
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