hormones in human reproduction Flashcards
during puberty, [what] hormones cause secondary sex characteristics to develop?
reproductive
give 2 examples of secondary sex characteristics (1 male, 1 female)
breast development (f)
voice deepening (m)
what is the main female sex hormone? where is it produced?
oestrogen
produced in the ovary
what is the main male sex hormone? where is it produced? what does it stimulate?
testosterone
produced in the testes
stimulates sperm production
what does the menstrual cycle do?
releases an egg and prepares a woman’s body for pregnancy
how long is the average menstrual cycle?
28 days
what is ovulation?
the release of a mature egg from the ovary
how long does menstruation (a period) last, on average?
5 days
what hormones control the menstrual cycle?
follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
oestrogen
luteinising hormone (LH)
progesterone
what does FSH do?
causes eggs to mature and egg in the ovary and stimulates the production of oestrogen
what does oestrogen do?
inhibits (stops) the production of FSH, stimulates the lining of the uterus, and stimulates the production of oestrogen
what does LH do?
stimulates ovulation
what is ovulation?
the release of a mature egg from the ovary
what does progesterone do?
maintains the lining of the uterus
fertility can be controlled by a variety of hormonal and non-hormonal methods of contraception. give 6 examples
oral contraceptives
injection, implant or skin patch
barrier methods (condom, diaphragm)
intrauterine devices
spermicidal agents
abstaining from intercourse
surgical methods of male and female sterilisation
what do oral contraceptives do?
they contain hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) to inhibit/stop FSH production so no eggs mature to be fertilised
what do injection, implant or skin patch do?
slowly release progesterone to stop the maturing and release of eggs for a number of months or years
what do barrier methods of contraception do?
prevent sperm reaching an egg
what do intrauterine devices do?
prevent the implantation of an embryo (IUD) or release a hormone (IUS)
what do spermicidal agents do?
kill or disable sperm
when should people abstain from intercourse?
When an egg may be in the oviduct
