Chapter 5: Sex Hormones, Sexual Differentiation, and the Menstrual Cycle

Question 1

Prenatal Period

Answer 1

The time from conception to birth.

Question 2

Hormones

Answer 2

Chemical Substances secreted by the endocrine glands into the bloodstream.

Question 3

Testosterone

Answer 3

A hormone secreted by the testes in males (and also present at lower levels in females)

Question 4

Androgens

Answer 4

A group of sex hormones, one of which is testosterone.

Question 5

Estrogens

Answer 5

A group of sex hormones, one of which is estradiol.

Question 6

Progesterone

Answer 6

A sex hormone secreted by the ovaries as well as the testes.

Question 7

Pituitary Gland

Answer 7

A small endocrine gland located on the lower side of the brain below the hypothalamus; it is important in regulating levels of sex hormones.

Question 8

Hypothalamus

Answer 8

A small region of the brain that is important in regulating many body functions, including the functioning of the sex hormones.

Question 9

Follicle-Stimulating Hormones (FSH)

Answer 9

A hormone secreted by the pituitary; it stimulates follicle development in females and sperm production in males.

Question 10

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Answer 10

A hormone secreted by the pituitary; it regulates estrogen secretion and ovum development in females and testosterone production in males.

Question 11

Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH)

Answer 11

A hormone secreted by the hypothalamus that regulates the pituitary’s secretion of gonad-stimulating hormones.

Question 12

Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Gonad (HPG) Axis

Answer 12

The negative feedback loop that regulates sex-hormone production.

Question 13

Inhibin

Answer 13

A hormone secreted by the testes and ovaries that regulates FSH levels.

Question 14

Prolactin

Answer 14

A pituitary hormone that stimulates milk production by the mammary glands.

Question 15

Oxytocin

Answer 15

A pituitary hormone that stimulates milk ejection from the nipples and contractions of the uterus during childbirth.

Question 16

SRY

Answer 16

Stands for sex-determining region, Y chromosome.

Question 17

Mullerian Ducts

Answer 17

Ducts found in both male and female fetuses; in males they degenerate, and in females they develop into the fallopian tubes, the uterus, and the upper part of the vagina.

Question 18

Wolffian Ducts

Answer 18

Ducts found in both male and female fetuses; in females they degenerate, and in males they develop into the epididymis, the vas deferens, and the ejaculatory duct.

Question 19

Cryptorchidism

Answer 19

Undescended testes; the condition in which the testes do not descend to the scrotum as they should during prenatal development.

Question 20

Epigenetics

Answer 20

A functional change to DNA that does not alter the genetic code itself but leads to changes in gene expression. Often an epigenetic change involves methylation, that is, a methyl group is attached to the base cytosine in the DNA.

Question 21

Homologous Organs

Answer 21

Organs in the male and female that develop from the same embryonic tissue.

Question 22

Analogous Organs

Answer 22

Organ in the male and female that have similar functions.

Question 23

Intersex

Answer 23

A condition in which the individual has a mixture of male and female reproductive structures, so that it is not clear at birth whether the individual is a male or a female. Formally called a pseudohermaphrodite.

Question 24

Disorders of Sex Development (DSD)

Answer 24

Another term for intersex conditions.

Question 25

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)

Answer 25

A condition in which a genetic female produces excess levels of androgens prenatally and therefore has male-appearing genitals at birth.

Question 26

Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS)

Answer 26

A genetic condition in which the body is unresponsive to androgens so that a genetic male may be born with a female-appearing body.

Question 27

Puberty

Answer 27

The time during which there is sudden enlargement and maturation of the gonads, other genitalia, and secondary sex characteristics, so that the individual becomes capable of reproduction.

Question 28

Menarche

Answer 28

First menstruation.

Question 29

Leptin

Answer 29

A hormone related to the onset of puberty.

Question 30

Kisspeptin

Answer 30

A hormone involved in the initiation of pubertal development.

Question 31

Adrenal Glands

Answer 31

Endocrine glands located just above the kidneys; in females they are major producers of androgens.

Question 32

Adrenarche

Answer 32

In childhood, the maturation of the adrenal glands, resulting in increased secretion of androgens.

Question 33

Follicular Phase

Answer 33

The first phase of the menstrual cycle, beginning just after menstruation, during which an egg matures in preparation for ovulation.

Question 34

Ovulation

Answer 34

Release of an egg from the ovaries; the second phase of the menstrual cycle.

Question 35

Luteal Phase

Answer 35

The third phase of the menstrual cycle, following ovulation.

Question 36

Corpus Luteum

Answer 36

The mass of cells of the follicle remaining after ovulation; it secretes progesterone.

Question 37

Menstruation

Answer 37

The fourth phase of the menstrual cycle, during which the endometrium of the uterus is sloughed off in the menstrual discharge.

Question 38

Dysmenorrhea

Answer 38

Painful menstruation.

Question 39

Prostaglandins

Answer 39

Chemicals secreted by the uterus that cause the uterine muscles to contract; they are the cause of painful menstruation.

Question 40

Endometriosis

Answer 40

A condition in which the endometrium grows abnormally outside the uterus; the symptom is unusually painful periods with excessive bleeding.

Question 41

Amenorrhea

Answer 41

The absence of menstruation.

Question 42

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Answer 42

A combination of severe physical and psychological symptoms, such as depression and irritability, occurring just before menstruation.

Question 43

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

Answer 43

A diagnostic category in DSM, characterized by symptoms such as sadness, anxiety, and irritability in the week before menstruation.