Unit 5:

Reproduction and
Development

What happens
to the egg cell?
What are we learning?
• What
– Where does fertilisation happen?
– What happens if an egg cell is fertilised?
– What happens if an egg cell is not fertilised (the Menstrual
Cycle)?

How?
– Card sort, class discussion, videos and questions

• Why?
– You started as a single cell, we need to know how this cell was made.
 Put the following in order . . .
2 4
The sperm reaches
the egg and they
try to burrow in
5
Sperm is
ejaculated from One sperm
enters the egg The sperm
the penis and
and their reaches the
swims up the
nuclei fuse oviduct and
vagina
creating a moves
1 towards the
zygote (new 3
life) egg
An egg is
released
from the
ovary
Label your diagram.
Use your coursebook pg 58.
3.

2.

1.
4.
5 minutes
What happens after the egg is
fertilised?
3. The zygote divides to make a
little ball of cells called the
2. Egg cell is embryo.
fertilised in the
oviduct. A zygote
is formed.

1. Cell leaves the 4. The embryo

vary (ovulation) enters the uterus
and sinks into the
lining. It develops
into a foetus
This is when
the woman is
pregnant.
Stage 1: Days 1-6

Menstruation If the egg is NOT fertilised, the lining of

the uterus is not needed for a baby so it
is shed from the woman’s body

Bleeding usually lasts for 2-5 days – this

is called a period
Stage 2: The Lining Days 6-10
Regrows

The lining of the woman’s uterus

starts to regrow ready for if she
becomes pregnant.

It is made up of spongy tissue.

 Stage 3: Ovulation Days 10-14

Another egg is ready to be released

from the ovary, waiting to be
fertilised

When the egg is released it is called

ovulation
Stage 4: Lining Thickens Days 15-28

The lining of the woman’s uterus starts to

get thicker ready for a potential pregnancy

For a few days after a woman releases and

egg, she can become pregnant – we call
this ‘fertile’
The cycle begins
again…. Day 1

If the egg is NOT fertilised, the lining of

the uterus is not needed for a baby so it
is shed from the woman’s body

Bleeding usually lasts for 2-7 days

The cycle lasts a

month, which is
why a woman will
have a period
every month!
Do you get it?
Using your diagrams to help you, answer
these questions…
1. Describe the key stages that take place during the menstrual
cycle (4 marks)?
2. If an egg is released from a girl’s ovary on the 2nd April, when
might the next egg be released? Explain your answer! (2
marks)
3. Will a woman have a period when she is pregnant? Why? (2
marks)
Do you get it?
Self-Assess
1. Describe the key stages that take place during the menstrual cycle (4
marks)?
Menstruation occurs if the lining of the uterus is not needed.
The lining starts to regrow after menstruation.
The egg is ready to be released an ovulation occurs.
The lining thickens, ready for a potential pregnancy.
2. If an egg is released from a girl’s ovary on the 2nd April, when might the
next egg be released? Explain your answer! (2 marks)
30th April, as a cycle lasts around 28 days.
3. Will a woman have a period when she is pregnant? Why? (2 marks)
No, because the embryo will implant into the uterus lining
and it will not be shed.
What happens if an egg cell is not
fertilised?
• Can you put these statements in order:
1. An egg develops in an ovary.
2. The thick spongy lining of the uterus breaks down and
is lost through the vagina.
3. This is menstruation.
4. The lining of the uterus becomes thick and spongy.
5. If an egg cell is not fertilised, it travels to the uterus
and dies.
6. An egg cell is released from the ovary.
7. The uterus lining starts to grow thicker.
What happens if an egg cell is not
fertilised?
• Can you put these statements in order:
1. An egg develops in an ovary.
2. The uterus lining starts to grow thicker.
3. An egg cell is released from the ovary.
4. The lining of the uterus becomes thick and spongy.
5. If an egg cell is not fertilized, it travels to the uterus
and dies.
6. The thick spongy lining of the uterus breaks down and
is lost through the vagina.
7. This is menstruation.