Question

Justify the statement 'primary sex organs control the growth , functions and maintenance of secondary sex organs .'

Answer 1

Primary And Secondary Sex Organs
Primary sex organs in males and females are generally known as gonads.
Sex organs in males
In the case of male reproductive system the primary sex organs are a pair of testes (singular: testis) lying outside the abdominal cavity, enclosed in a sac called the scrotum. The placement of testes outside the body results in the temperature of the testes being lower than that of the rest of the body, a condition favorable to produce healthy sperms.
Secondary sex organs in a male are seminiferous tubules, epididymis, sperm duct, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, Cowper's gland and penis.
Each testis consists of a large number of seminiferous tubules. Sperms are produced inside these tubules.
Epididymis
The seminiferous tubules unite to form a long coiled structure called epididymis. It acts as the main store house of sperms.
Vas deferens
Epididymis continues as a muscular tube called vas deferens. It is also called a sperm duct. The two sperm ducts open on top of the urethra. A short coiled tube, the seminal vesicle, branches from each sperm duct just above its opening into the urethra. The urethra conducts both urine and sperms as per requirement.
Prostate glands and Cowper's glands
Cowper's glands and Prostate glands are accessary glands connected to the urethra. These glands secrete alkaline fluid which keeps the sperm neutral and without sticking to each other.
Penis
The urethra in the male is prolonged into a penis, consisting of connective tissue containing numerous small spaces which are normally empty, but which are filled with blood when the penis is erect.
Sex organs in females
Primary sex organs in a female consist of a pair of ovaries which are oval bodies lying at the back of the abdomen below the kidney. Each ovary consists of many ovarian follicles. Each follicle can produce an egg.
The secondary sex organs in a female are fallopian tubes, uterus, and vagina.
Fallopian tube
Close to each ovary is a funnel like structure called the fallopian funnel that extends into the fallopian tube. After ovulation, the ovum or egg enters this fallopian tube to be carried in the passage.
Uterus
The two fallopian tubes open behind into the uterus. The uterus is a hollow thick walled muscular organ. The main function of the uterus is to receive the fertilized ovum and nourish it, till it attains full development.
Vagina
The uterus communicates with the outside through a muscular tube called vagina. The urethra which conducts urine from the urinary bladder, opens close to the lower region of the vagina.

Answer 2

The primary sex organ in females and males are ovaries and testes that produces eggs and sperms respectively.

These sex organs also produces hormones such as progesterone, testosterone and estrogen. These hormones released in primary sex organs play a vital role in the functionality of secondary sex organs. For example: progesterone hormone released in ovaries helps to create a suitable environment in uterus ( a female secondary sex organ) for pregnancy.

Similarly, testosterone formed in testes helps in formation of sperms and their motility which pass through penis (secondary sex organ) during intercourse.

Hence, the statement is justified.