All organisms give birth to their offsprings. Even single cell organisms reproduce. Plants, fish, birds, mammals – all use reproductive methods to continue life on this planet.
Mostly in the single cell organisms, only one parent is involved in reproduction. In this mode of reproduction, fertilization is not required, and hence it is called asexual reproduction.

Almost all multi celled living creatures, including humans, use sexual reproduction which involves fertilization of two gametes – the sperm from the male and the egg the female, to start the process of life.

Why is sexual reproduction important?

When a male and a female are both required for reproduction, the offspring acquires the characteristics from both its parents. As a result, there is more diversity which gives the capacity to the offspring to adjust to different situations and pass on the successful characteristics to the next generation. This is the basis of evolution.

The Human Reproductive System

The males and females have different reproductive organs. A female’s reproductive organs are internal, whereas a male reproductive organs are external to allow penetration during a sexual intercourse, and to protect the sperms from excessive body temperature.

Millions of sperms from the male are ejaculated into the female vagina during a sexual intercourse. If a female egg is fertilized by the one of those sperms, the fertilized egg travels through the fallopian tubes and attaches itself to the wall of the uterus. The fertilized egg starts multiplying into multiple cells and after a few days, the cells develop into different body organs and the baby is finally delivered through the female’s vagina after about 36 weeks of pregnancy. This will become more clear once we understand the different reproductive organs in the humans.