Year 11 - Science
Hormonal control of the menstrual cycle
Hormones and human reproduction
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit covers the roles of hormones in reproduction, including the menstrual cycle and the effects of FSH, LH, oestrogen, and progesterone. It explains contraception methods, and fertility treatments, and evaluates their social, economic, and environmental impacts.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain the roles of FSH, LH, oestrogen and progesterone in controlling the menstrual cycle in human females.
Key Notes
- FSH causes follicle maturation and secretion of oestrogen by the ovaries.
- Oestrogen causes thickening of uterus wall, secretion of LH by the pituitary gland and inhibits the release of FSH.
- LH causes ovulation; FSH and LH cause the mature follicle to break down and secrete progesterone.
- Progesterone prepares uterus lining for implantation of fertilised egg; stops secretion of LH & FSH by pituitary gland.
- Fall in progesterone causes menstruation.
Vocabulary To Learn
- FSH: follicle stimulating hormone, causes the follicle containing an egg to mature
- LH: luteinising hormone causes ovulation
- oestrogen: a hormone that causes thickening of the uterus lining and the release of LH from the pituitary gland
- progesterone: maintains the uterus lining and stops the release of FSH and LH from the pituitary gland
- ovulation: the release of an egg from a mature follicle in the ovaries
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- That the menstrual cycle is not linked with reproduction; that hormones only control mood.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.
FSH causes follicle maturation and secretion of oestrogen by the ovaries. Oestrogen causes thickening of uterus wall, secretion of LH by the pituitary gland and inhibits the release of FSH.
2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'FSH'
follicle stimulating hormone, causes the follicle containing an egg to mature. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.
3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.
Mistake: That the menstrual cycle is not linked with reproduction; that hormones only control mood. Correction: Diagrams to show the clear effect of hormones on changes in the menstrual cycle and discuss the importance of the process to fertilisation.
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