Hormonal Control of Reproduction

Question 1

What are hormones and how are they produced?

Answer 1

Hormones are chemical messengers produced by the endocrine glands.

Question 2

What job is performed by the Hypothalamus during puberty?

Answer 2

The Hypothalamus secretes a release hormone that targets the pituitary gland found in the brain.

Question 3

What two hormones are released by the pituitary gland in women?

Answer 3

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Lutenising Hormone (LH).

Question 4

What two hormones are released by the pituitary gland in men?

Answer 4

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone (ICSH).

Question 5

What does FSH promote in men?

Answer 5

Sperm production in the seminiferous tubules of the testes.

Question 6

What does the hormone ICSH do in males?

Answer 6

Stimulates the interstitial cells in the testes to produce the male sex hormone called testosterone.

Question 7

What is the role of Testosterone?

Answer 7

Hormone found in males that stimulates sperm production in the seminiferous tubules and also activated the prostate gland and the seminal vesicles to produce their fluid secretions.

Question 8

How may overproduction of testosterone be prevented?

Answer 8

By a negative feedback mechanism.

Question 9

What may high testosterone levels result in?

Answer 9

The inhibition of the secretion of FSH and ICSH from the pituitary gland, resulting in a decrease in the production of testosterone by the interstitial cells.

Question 10

Approximately how long does the menstrual cycle take place for?

Answer 10

The menstrual cycle takes approximately 28 days with the first day of menstruation regarded as day one of the cycle.

Question 11

What four hormones found in females are associated with the menstrual cycle?

Answer 11

FSH & LH (pituitary hormones)

Oestrogen and Progesterone (ovarian hormones)

Question 12

What is the first stage of the menstrual cycle known as?

Answer 12

The Follicular Phase.

Question 13

What happens during the Follicular Phase of the menstrual cycle?

Answer 13

FSH stimulates the development and maturation of a follicle surrounding the ovum (egg) and the production of the sex hormone oestrogen by the follicle.

Question 14

What does the production of oestrogen stimulate?

Answer 14

The repair and vascularisation of the endometrium (uterus lining), thickening it and preparing it for implantation.
High levels of oestrogen stimulate the secretion of LH by the pituitary gland.

Question 15

What is the second stage of the menstrual cycle known as?

Answer 15

The Luteal Phase.

Question 16

What happens during the Luteal Phase of the menstrual cycle?

Answer 16

A surge in LH triggers ovulation and then stimulates the development of the corpus luteum from the follicle.

Question 17

What sex hormone is produced by the corpus luteum, stimulated by LH?

Answer 17

Progesterone.

Question 18

What is stimulated by the production of progesterone?

Answer 18

The further development and vascularisation of the endometrium (uterus lining), preparing it for the implantation of a blastocyst if fertilisation occurs.

Question 19

What happens if there are large levels of oestrogen and progesterone?

Answer 19

The secretion of FSH and LH by the pituitary gland is inhibited, which prevents further follicles from developing.