Copulation or commonly known as sexual intercourse is a part of biological function.The basic definition refers to sexual union in which sperm is received by an egg. This will lead to new life . Evolution reveals that by means of natural selection some traits will be passed on to offspring. There are other organisms who reproduce asexually. While it is a simple matter to discuss mating habits of the animal kingdom, discourse on human copulation is taboo. It crosses cultural, biological, and sociological dimensions. Although difficult to discuss, it is pivotal that people know how certain parts of the body function. Not only that it is essential to public health concerns. It is an ignored aspect of biology that needs more examination. Only when it is viewed as a natural part of life, can a healthy perspective of it be developed.
A pivotal aspect of this topic is puberty. This is a human life cycle stage in which boys and girls become adults with the ability to sexually reproduce. There are other physical changes to the body, besides primary sex characteristics. Secondary sex characteristics will become more pronounced and sexual dimorphism more recognizable. Puberty can occur at different times for some individuals. It can start early, which is known as precocious puberty. If it starts late it is referred to as delayed puberty. The average period development occurs roughly between the age of 10 to 14 for girls and 12 to 16 for boys. It seems that girls mature physically faster than boys. Sex hormones such as testosterone and estrogen make physical changes possible. During puberty the testicles and the penis will increase in size for boys. The development of pubic hair will occur in both sexes. Testosterone allows for the production of sperm. Sperm is produced in the seminiferous tubules of the testes. The epididymis acts as storage center and maturation site for the sperm. When maturation is done the sperm are transported to the vas deferens. During sexual arousal sperm will go to the ejaculatory duct and then to the urethra. Males during puberty will experience erections and ejaculation for the first time. Puberty differs for females. Women's breasts will grow and menstruation. Women will produce more estrogen and progesterone from the ovaries. An oocyte (egg) will be formed each month. Girls will experience their first menarche. This is an indication that uterine and ovarian cycles have initiate. The uterine cycle lasts about twenty eight days, which will have an effect on the endometrium of the uterus. The endometrium will shed resulting in the menstrual cycle, causing blood to be released from the vagina. The process allows the endometrium prepared to hold an embryo. If a pregnancy does not occur mucus, blood, and endometrium matter are expelled from the uterus. Fibrinolysin is an enzyme that will prevent possible blood clots.
A pivotal aspect of this topic is puberty. This is a human life cycle stage in which boys and girls become adults with the ability to sexually reproduce. There are other physical changes to the body, besides primary sex characteristics. Secondary sex characteristics will become more pronounced and sexual dimorphism more recognizable. Puberty can occur at different times for some individuals. It can start early, which is known as precocious puberty. If it starts late it is referred to as delayed puberty. The average period development occurs roughly between the age of 10 to 14 for girls and 12 to 16 for boys. It seems that girls mature physically faster than boys. Sex hormones such as testosterone and estrogen make physical changes possible. During puberty the testicles and the penis will increase in size for boys. The development of pubic hair will occur in both sexes. Testosterone allows for the production of sperm. Sperm is produced in the seminiferous tubules of the testes. The epididymis acts as storage center and maturation site for the sperm. When maturation is done the sperm are transported to the vas deferens. During sexual arousal sperm will go to the ejaculatory duct and then to the urethra. Males during puberty will experience erections and ejaculation for the first time. Puberty differs for females. Women's breasts will grow and menstruation. Women will produce more estrogen and progesterone from the ovaries. An oocyte (egg) will be formed each month. Girls will experience their first menarche. This is an indication that uterine and ovarian cycles have initiate. The uterine cycle lasts about twenty eight days, which will have an effect on the endometrium of the uterus. The endometrium will shed resulting in the menstrual cycle, causing blood to be released from the vagina. The process allows the endometrium prepared to hold an embryo. If a pregnancy does not occur mucus, blood, and endometrium matter are expelled from the uterus. Fibrinolysin is an enzyme that will prevent possible blood clots.
Both men and women's bodies function on a hormonal feedback loop. There are differences in the anatomical and physiological structures of the reproductive system.
The orgasm is a point of maximum sexual arousal or excitement. Both men and women experience this during the sexual response cycle. The male orgasm functions in another manner. When a male is sexually aroused blood flow will increase to the penis. The arterial blood movement is triggered by nervous reflexes. The blood will occupy space in the erectile tissue. This physiological response is known as erection. Semen will be secreted from the process. Sperm navigate to vasa deferentia, then to the ejaculatory ducts. This begins with the seminal vesicles. For semen to be created it requires the work from three glands. Prostaglandins are produced to allow for limited friction in muscle contraction in both male and female reproductive tracts. The prostate gland must secrete a alkaline fluid that increases motility of the sperm. The bulbourethral glands form mucus secretions. The average amount of semen released is about two to five milliliters. Semen consists mostly of seminal vesicle secretions, prostatic fluids, and spermatic duct secretions. Sperm only accounts for ten percent of semen. Ejaculation functions in two phases. Emission occurs when the spinal cord sends nerve impulses to the epididymides and vas deferentia. Muscular contraction happens in the walls of these organs causing to sperm to move to the ejaculatory duct. The bulbourethal glands, prostate gland, and seminal vesicles will release secretions. The fluid from the bulbourethral glands remove acidic residue from urine. The fluid will not contain sperm, because the purpose is to prevent a urinary tract infection. The second phase is known as expulsion. Muscle contractions will allow for semen to be released from urethra. The muscular contractions are rhythmic. During this phase myotonia will happen. This means that muscles tense up from the sexual response. Erections do not last for long periods of time and the penis will return to its flaccid state. The female orgasm functions by another method. Collectively the external reproductive organs are known as the vulva. This includes the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, and vestibular glands .The vestibular glands allow the vulva to remain moist and lubricated during copulation. The clitoris analogous to the penis has numerous sensory receptors. It has more nerve endings than the penis. When full orgasm is achieved, neuromuscular tension is released in the vagina and uterus. Women can experience multiple orgasms. Men are not able to do this. Medicine for a long time could not fully understand the nature of the female orgasm.Now after research, the mystery is being solved. Women just like men experience increased neural activity in the brain during sex. The nucleus accumbens a major pleasure center of the brain releases dopamine. This functions the same for men and women, but there is a difference after orgasm. It would appear as if there are different sensations for clitoral and vaginal orgasms . It could also be more localized than previously thought, according to some studies. Some women may not experience orgasm during penetrative sex. Others may have this frequently.
There has been a theory of the G-spot. This erogenous zone was thought to exist in the front wall of the vagina. It is questionable if it even exists at all. What is known is that the female anatomy is more complex. A combination of blood vessels and nerve endings prove that copulation is a multiple step process.
Copulation is a part of nature. However,attitudes about it have changed over the centuries. Greek and Egyptian civilization has mores more open by contemporary standards. When monotheistic religion appeared as a dominant force sex became an act for producing children. Pleasure was not to be a part of it. This also was unequal among the sexes. Women seeing as they could get pregnant, were restricted from being full members of society. Their role as creator of life was used as an excuse to discriminate and exclude them from the public sphere. Double standards were imposed on the sexes. Men who were physically intimate with multiple partners were congratulated. Women who did the same were ostracized. This is gradually changing. With the rise of contraception and reproductive rights the situation became more equal for women. Public schools teach sex education to students, but it still generates controversy. Some parents decide not to have their children take it. This could be potentially detrimental. It is pivotal to have a knowledge of your body and how it functions. Seeing this part of biology as natural will make it easier to discuss.
References
Mader, Sylvia. Biology. New York : McGraw Hill Company, 2010.
Geddes, Linda. "The Mystery of the Female Orgasm." BBC.com. N.p., 6 June 2015. Web. 8 Aug. 2015.
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