The testes
Testes and scrotum.
Cooler than the body
Some body parts work best at a temperature a little lower than the rest of the body.
What do you think is made in a part that must stay cooler than the body?
What this lesson covers
The idea
Sperm are produced in two oval testes in the scrotum, which keeps them slightly cooler than body temperature as sperm formation requires; the testes also make a hormone controlling sperm production and boys' changes at puberty.
Cooler than the body
Some body parts work best at a temperature a little lower than the rest of the body.
What do you think is made in a part that must stay cooler than the body?
- Sperm
- Blood
- Urine
Testes and scrotum
Open each tab. The picture is a simple schematic.
Cooler on purpose
The testes sit in the scrotum, which keeps them slightly cooler than the body, because sperm formation needs this.
Sperm are produced in two oval testes in the scrotum, which keeps them slightly cooler than body temperature, as sperm formation requires. The testes also make a hormone controlling sperm production and boys' changes at puberty.
Notes
Testes in the scrotum produce sperm at a temperature slightly below body temperature, and make a hormone for sperm production and puberty changes.
Check yourself
Where are sperm produced?
How many testes are there, and what shape are they?
What does the scrotum do?
What does the hormone made by the testes do?
- In the scrotum. The scrotum is the pouch of skin that holds the testes. Sperm are produced in the testes inside it.
- In the urethra. The urethra is a common passage for urine and sperm. Sperm are produced in the testes.
- In the testes — correct. Yes!
- Two, oval-shaped — correct. Yes!
- One, round. There are two testes, and they are oval-shaped.
- Three, flat. There are two testes, and they are oval-shaped.
- It keeps the testes warmer than the body. The scrotum keeps them slightly cooler than normal body temperature, which is necessary for sperm formation.
- It keeps the testes slightly cooler than normal body temperature — correct. Yes!
- It stores urine. The scrotum is a pouch of skin that holds the testes. It does not store urine.
- Makes the sperm swim. The tail helps each sperm swim. The hormone controls sperm production and the changes at puberty.
- Makes the scrotum warm. The scrotum keeps the testes cooler. The hormone controls sperm production and the changes at puberty.
- Controls sperm production and causes the physical changes of boys at puberty — correct. Yes!