Hormonal Control Of Reproduction

Question 1

What are hormones?

Answer 1

Hormones are chemical messengers produced by an endocrine gland and secreted directly into the bloodstream

Question 2

What stimulates the pituitary gland to release hormones?

Answer 2

A released hormone produced in the hypothalamus

Question 3

What hormones does the pituitary gland release?

Answer 3

Follicle Stimulating Hormone ( FSH )
Luteinising Hormone ( LH )
Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone ( ICSH )

Question 4

Which hormone is released by the pituitary gland in both sexes?

Answer 4

FSH ( follicle stimulating hormone )

Question 5

Which hormone is release by the pituitary gland in females?

Answer 5

Luteinising hormone ( LH )

Question 6

Which hormone is released by the pituitary gland in males?

Answer 6

Interstitial cell stimulating hormone ( ICSH )

Question 7

What hormone does the hypothalamus release to regulate the pituitary gland?

Answer 7

The hypothalamus releases a releaser hormone.

Question 8

What is the function of releaser hormones?

Answer 8

Releaser hormones control and regulate the actions of the pituitary gland.

Question 9

What is a gonad in terms of the reproductive system of both men and women?

Answer 9

Testes for men and Ovaries for women
( organ that produces gametes )

Question 10

What does FSH ( follicle stimulating hormone ) promote in men?

Answer 10

FSH promotes the production of sperm

Question 11

What does ICSH ( interstitial cell stimulating hormone ) stimulate in men?

Answer 11

ICSH stimulates the production of testosterone

Question 12

What is the role of testosterone in men?

Answer 12

Testosterone stimulates sperm production and activates the prostate gland and seminal vesicles

Question 13

What is the production of testosterone controlled by?

Answer 13

Negative feedback by FSH ( follicle stimulating hormone ) and ICSH ( interstitial cell stimulating hormone )

Question 14

How many days approximately does the menstrual cycle take?

Answer 14

28 days

Question 15

What is considered day one of the menstrual cycle?

Answer 15

Day one of the cycle is when menstruation occurs.

Question 16

What does FSH ( follicle stimulating hormone ) stimulate in women?

Answer 16

FSH stimulates the development of a follicle and the production of oestrogen by the follicle in the follicular phase.

Question 17

What are the 2 stages of the menstrual cycle?

Answer 17

The follicular phase and then the luteal phase.

Question 18

What does oestrogen secreted by a follicle cause?

Answer 18

Oestrogen stimulates the proliferation ( expansion ) of the endometrium preparing it for implantation and affects the consistency of cervical mucus making it more easily penetrated by sperm

Question 19

What do peak levels of oestrogen stimulate?

Answer 19

Peak levels of oestrogen stimulate a surge in the secretion of LH ( luteinising hormone )

Question 20

What does LH ( luteinising hormone ) cause in women?

Answer 20

LH causes ovulation around the 14 day mark of the menstrual cycle, releasing the mature ovum from the follicle in the ovary.

Question 21

What occurs in the luteal phase?

Answer 21

In the luteal phase the follicle develops into a corpus luteum which secretes progesterone

Question 22

What does progesterone cause in women?

Answer 22

Progesterone promotes further development and vascularisation of the endometrium, which prepares it for implantation if fertilisation occurs.

Question 23

What prevents further follicles from developing?

Answer 23

The negative feedback effect of the ovarian hormones on the pituitary gland and the secretion of FSH and LH

Question 24

What does a lack of LH ( luteinising hormone ) cause?

Answer 24

A lack of LH causes the degeneration of the corpus luteum with a subsequent drop in progesterone levels leading to menstruation to occur again.

Question 25

What happens in terms of the corpus luteum if fertilisation occurs?

Answer 25

The corpus luteum doesn’t degenerate and progesterone levels remain high, maintaining the development and vascularisation of the endometrium.

Question 26

What can high levels of oestrogen cause?

Answer 26

The proliferation of the endometrium, the thinning of cervical mucus to allow for sperm penetration and the production of LH.