Hormones: control of fertility, menstrual cycle, and puberty Flashcards
What are hormones and what do they do?
Hormones are chemicals released directly into the blood (carried in the blood plasma) and they control things in organs and cells that need constant adjustment.
What is an endocrine gland?
Glands that produce (and secrete) hormones.
What is the function of the hormones produced from the Pituitary Glands?
Regulates body conditions - called the ‘master gland’ as these hormones act on other glands, directing them to release hormones that bring about change.
State the function of oestrogen and the gland its produced in?
The ovaries produce oestrogen - it is involved in the menstrual cycle.
State the function of testosterone and the gland its produced in.
The testes produce testosterone - it controls puberty and sperm production in males.
State the function of insulin and the gland its produced in.
The pancreas - used to regulate the blood glucose level.
State the function of adrenaline and the gland its produced in.
The adrenal gland produces adrenaline and is used to prepare the body for a ‘fight or flight’ response.
State the function of thyroxine and the gland its produced in.
The thyroid produces thyroxine - involved in regulating things like the rate of metabolism, heart rate and temperature.
What is FSH, what does it do and where is it produced?
FSH is a follicle stimulating hormone produced in the pituitary gland and causes the egg to mature and oestrogen to be produced.
What is LH, what does it do and where is it produced?
LH is a luteinising hormone produced in the pituitary gland and stimulates the mature egg to be released from the ovary.
What does the contraceptive pill do?
Prevents the production of FSH so no eggs mature - preventing unwanted pregnancies.
What hormones do contraceptive pills contain?
May contain oestrogen and progesterone. However, some pills are progesterone-only pills (having fewer side effects).
What hormones are given to women who cannot produce mature eggs?
FSH and LH - known as ‘fertility treatment’.
Why are FSH and LH given in fertility treatments?
To help a woman produce mature eggs - FSH causes eggs to mature and LH stimulates ovulation.
State advantages in fertility treatments.
- Contraceptive pills have helped to reduce family size - has reduced poverty in some areas.
- Allows women to plan their pregnancies.
- Fertility drugs can help infertile couples who are having IVF.
- IVF helps couples to have a baby.
What is IVF?
In vitro fertilisation - when the egg is fertilised outside the woman’s body and implanted back into her uterus.
State disadvantages in fertility treatments.
- The pill can cause side effects.
- Objection to its use for ethical or religious reasons.
- IVF is an expensive process. Some people think its unethical when older women have babies by IVF. Extra embryos produced may be stored or destroyed.
How long does the menstrual cycle take?
28 days
What day does ovulation occur?
14 days into the cycle
Describe the process of fertility treatments.
- Fertility drugs are used to make lots of eggs mature at the same time for collection.
- The eggs are collected and placed in a special solution in a Petri dish.
- A sample of semen is collected.
- The eggs and sperm are mixed in the Petri dish.
- The eggs are checked to make sure they have been fertilised and the early embryos are developing properly.
- When the fertilised eggs have formed tiny balls of cells, 1 or 2 of the tiny embryos are placed the mother’s uterus. Then, if all goes well, at least one baby will grow and develop successfully.
What else do women use hormones for?
To help them become pregnant.
