Puberty And The Menstrual Cycle

Question 1

what is the main part of the menstrual cycle

Answer 1

the monthly release of an egg from the womans ovaries

Question 2

during puberty, what does your body start releasing

Answer 2

sex hormones that trigger secondary sexual characteristics

Question 3

give an example of secondary sexual characteristics in men and women

Answer 3

development of facial hair in men and the development of breasts in women + causes egg to mature in women

Question 4

what is the main reproductive hormone in men, where is it produced and what does it stimulate

Answer 4

testosterone, produced in the testes, stimulates sperm production

Question 5

what is the main reproductive hormone in women, where is it produced and what is it involved in

Answer 5

oestrogen, in the ovaries, involved in the menstrual cycle

Question 6

how many stages compose the menstrual cycle

Answer 6

4 stages

Question 7

length of stage 1 and what happens in it

Answer 7

• day 1 to 4, the menstruation starts

- uterus lining breaks down for about 4 days

Question 8

length of stage 2 and what happens in it

Answer 8

• day 4 to 14, uterus lining builds up again

- builds into a thick spongy layer full of blood vessels, ready to receive a fertilised egg

Question 9

length of stage 3 and what happens in it

Answer 9

• day 14

- egg develops and is released from the ovary (ovulation)

Question 10

length of stage 4 and what happens in it

Answer 10

• day 14 to 28, wall is maintained for 14 days

- if no fertilised egg lands on the uterus wall by day 28, spongy lining breaks down and the whole cycle starts again

Question 11

what is the menstrual cycle controlled by

Answer 11

hormones

Question 12

what are the four hormones controlling the menstrual cycle

Answer 12

• follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
• oestrogen
• luteinising hormone (LH)
• progesterone

Question 13

where is FSH produced and what does it do

Answer 13

• produced in the pituitary gland

- causes an egg to mature in one of the ovaries, in a structure called follicle

Question 14

where is oestrogen produced and what does it do

Answer 14

• produced in the ovaries
• causes lining of the uterus to grow
• stimulates the release of LH and inhibits release of FSH

Question 15

where is LH produced and what does it do

Answer 15

• produced by the pituitary gland

- stimulates the release of an egg at day 14 (ovulation)

Question 16

where is progesterone produced and what does it do

Answer 16

• produced in the ovaries by the remains of the follicle after ovulation
• maintains the lining of the uterus during the second half of the cycle
• when level of progesterone falls, the lining breaks down
• inhibits the release of LH and FSH