Ovaries:

Ova: Also known as an egg cell, The ovum is a female reproductive cell that can divide and
create an embryo usually only after fertilization by a male cell.

Follicles: A sac that contains an immature egg cell, which are also called an oocyte. The
structure of the follicles helps carry out its function by holding the eggs until they are ready to be
released.
Corpus Luteum: A hormone-secreting structure created in the ovary after an ovum has been
released. It usually degenerates after a couple of days unless pregnancy has begun. The
structure of the Corpus Luteum helps carry out its function by producing progesterone (plays a
role in maintaining pregnancy).
Oviduct/Fallopian Tube: The tube that an ovum passes from an ovary to the uterus. The
structure of the oviduct helps carry out its function by being hollow and allowing eggs to pass
into the uterus.
The endometrial tissue lines the uterus. Over time the tissue thickens in preparation for
pregnancy. If the women doesn’t become pregnant (usually in cycles of a month), the lining is
shed and menstrual bleeding occurs.

Plants have reproductive systems as well. Plant ovaries contain ovules which develop seeds,
much like what human ovaries do. In both processes, there is a female and male counterpart.
They both produce an egg via sexual reproduction. In plants, the male and female organs can
be found in one organism, while in humans they exist separately.

Frog reproductive systems are very similar to humans. Frog reproduce in water. Female frogs
lay egg in water and the male frogs release their sperm in the water. The sperm then fuses to
the egg. The main difference between human and frog reproduction is that humans do not have
a particular “season” that they mate in.

Both birds and humans need an egg and a sperm to reproduce and fertilization must occur
within the body. The main differences is that birds produce an egg which is hatched outside of
the body, while humans carry the embryo inside the female’s body and the infant “hatches”
inside of the body.

One main disease that can target the ovaries is ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is a rare cancer
that starts in the ovaries and often isn’t discovered until it has spread to the pelvis region. The
causes of ovarian cancer are rapid cell mutations. To treat ovarian cancer you can get a
targeted chemotherapy, radiation, or get a hysterectomy.