B3.2.3 The Menstrual Cycle

Question 1

What is the menstrual cycle?

Answer 1

Monthly cycle during which a woman’s body prepares for pregnancy
-lasts 28 days

Question 2

What happens during menstrual cycle?

Answer 2

-each month lining of their uterus starts to thicken ready to receive a fertilised egg
-at same time an egg matures in the ovaries
-approx. 14 days later, egg is released from ovary=OVULATION
-lining of uterus remains thick
(-if egg is fertilised it may implant in uterus lining. Here is is protected and receives nutrients and oxygen from mother, woman is pregnant)
-uterus lining and egg are removed from body= period/menstruation

Question 3

4 hormones that control mistrial cycle:

Answer 3

• follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
• oestrogen
• Progesterone
• luteinising hormone (LH)

Question 4

FSH

Answer 4

Secreted by pituitary gland

Travels to ovaries where it causes an egg to mature

Question 5

Oestrogen

Answer 5

Made up and secreted by ovaries

Causes lining of uterus to build up

Question 6

LH

Answer 6

When reaches peak in middle of cycle ovulation is triggered

Question 7

Progesterone

Answer 7

Maintains uterus lining

Levels of this hormone remain high throughout pregnancy