Hormones

Question 1

What is the male gamete ?

Answer 1

Sperm

Question 2

What is the female gamete ?

Answer 2

Ovum

Question 3

What is the production of sperm known as ?

Answer 3

Spermatogenesis

Question 4

What is the production of an ovum known as ?

Answer 4

Oogenesis and this is part of the menstural cycle

Question 5

What are spermatogenesis and oogenesis known as together?

Answer 5

Gametogenesis

Question 6

What is gametogenesis controlled by ?

Answer 6

Luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)

Question 7

Describe spermatogenesis

Answer 7

This process occurs continuously in the body:

• LH stimulates testosterone to be produced
• this causes the production and maturation of sperm
• inhibin is produced by Sertoli cells and inhibits FSH to stop spermatogenesis

Question 8

Describe oogenesis

Answer 8

This is part of the menstural cycle:

• FSH stimulates one or more follicles to mature
• LH stimulates mature follicles to produce more oestrogen and inhibit LH and FSH production
• Oestrogen (+ inhibin) from mature follicle inhibits secretion of FSH so no more follicles mature
• however, an increase of Oestrogen levels stimulate LH and FSH production which leads to ovulation

Question 9

Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)

Answer 9

Secreted by the hypothalamus and controls other reproductive hormones. Light stimulates the pineal gland which reduces melatonin secretion, thus allowing GnRH to be secreted which stimulates the production of LH and FSH

Question 10

Oestrogen

Answer 10

Rebuilds the uterine lining after menstruation. Stimulates the release of LH by the pituitary gland

Question 11

Progesterone

Answer 11

Maintains the lining of the uterus ready for a fertilised egg. It inhibits the production of FSH by the pituitary. progesterone is mostly produced by the corpus luteum and in smaller amounts by the ovaries

Question 12

Testosterone

Answer 12

Produced by the testes, enables the development of sex organ tissues and secondary sexual characteristics

Question 13

Androgen-binding hormone

Answer 13

Produced by the seminiferous tubules, helps maintain high concentrations of testosterone in the testes

Question 14

Prostaglandins

Answer 14

Help with uterine contractions - produced by most cells

Question 15

Oxytocin

Answer 15

Produced by the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland. Helps with uterine contractions and lactation

Question 16

Cortisol

Answer 16

Stress hormone linked with increased maternal interest in their offspring

Question 17

What is the corpus luteum

Answer 17

The sac of cells remaining after the ova has been released during ovulation