Reproductive hormones: Homeostasis and response: Biology: GCSE (9:1)

• Secondary sexual characteristics

  Characteristics caused by reproductive hormones that develop during puberty such as body hair and pelvic build
• Testosterone


  The main male reproductive hormone produced by the testes, stimulates sperm production

  
• Oestrogen


  The main female reproductive hormone produced by the ovaries, a key hormone involved in the menstrual cycle

  
• Menstrual cycle

  A hormone-controlled cycle that occurs in the female reproductive system to prepare for pregnancy

  
• Menstruation

  The process of discharging blood and material from the lining of the uterus through the vagina, if pregnancy does not occur

  
• 28 days


  The typical length of a menstrual cycle

  
• Day 14


  The typical day in to a menstrual cycle where ovulation occurs

  
• Ovulation


  The release of an egg from a follicle in the ovary during the menstrual cycle

  
• Ovary


  An organ of the female reproductive system where egg development occurs and oestrogen and progesterone are released

  
• Uterus


  A muscular organ of the female reproductive system where a fertilised egg develops into an embryo and eventually a foetus

  
• Lining of the uterus

  The walls of the uterus that need to be maintained for an embryo to implant and develop

  
• Fallopian tube or oviduct


  The tube connecting the ovary and uterus, where the egg moves from the ovary and meets the sperm if intercourse has occurred

  
• Fertilised egg or zygote


  When a sperm cell and egg cell fuse and begin to develop into an embryo

  
• Egg cell

  Contains genetic information from the mother, needs to fuse with a sperm cell for fertilisation to occur

  
• Sperm cell

  Contain genetic information from the father, needs to fuse with an egg cell for fertilisation to occur

  
• Follicle


  A small sac that houses one developing egg cell and is found in the ovaries

  
• Pituitary gland


  The master gland that is responsible for releasing FSH and LH

  
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)


  Responsible for stimulating the growth of a follicle and the maturation of an egg in the ovary
• Luteinising hormone (LH)


  Responsible for ovulation by stimulating the release of the egg from a follicle in the ovary
• Oestrogen and progesterone


  Reproductive hormones responsible for maintaining the lining of the uterus

  
• Corpus luteum


  A structure that forms from a follicle when an egg is released, releases progesterone