Final answer:
Reproductive glands that produce gametes are called gonads. They are bi-potential during fetal development and can differentiate into either testes or ovaries based on specific genetic signaling and hormonal influences.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reproductive glands that produce gametes are called gonads. As fetuses, these are considered bi-potential; based on the hormones released in fetal development, they can differentiate into testes or ovaries.
During the early stages of fetal development, gonads are bi-potential, meaning they possess the ability to develop into either male or female reproductive organs. The presence of the SRY gene on the Y chromosome ensures the development of testes in male embryos, initiating the process of spermatogenesis. Without this gene, female development progresses with the differentiation of oogonia and the formation of primordial follicles within the ovaries.
Gonads are responsible for producing both the gametes (sperm in males, eggs in females) and sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen, which are crucial for sexual differentiation and reproduction. The role of these hormones is extensive, influencing the maturation of the reproductive system during puberty and maintaining reproductive functions later in life.