Reproduction 2 (Menstrual Cycle) Flashcards
What is the MENSTRUAL CYCLE?
Monthly (every 28 days) sequence of events that occur in females after puberty
What is the purpose of the menstrual cycle?
The body prepares the UTERUS (WOMB) in case it receives a FERTILISED EGG
What happens if the body doesn’t receive a fertilised egg?
Egg and uterus lining BREAKS DOWN and are lost from body through the VAGINA over 3-4 days
How many stages are there in the menstrual cycle?
4 Stages
What are the stages of the menstrual cycle?
STAGE 1 - Lining of the uterus BREAKS DOWN (Day 1-4)
STAGE 2 - Lining of the uterus BUILDS BACK UP (Day 4-14)
STAGE 3 - EGG is released (Day 14)
STAGE 4 - Lining of uterus is MAINTAINED (Day 14-28)
(Then the next cycle happens and it goes all the way back to stage 1)
What happens from day 1-4 of the menstrual cycle?
BLEEDING STARTS - “Having a period”
This happens because the lining of the uterus breaks down and passes out of the vagina
What happens from day 4 of the menstrual cycle?
Lining of uterus BUILDS BACK UP ready for IMPLANTATION
What happens to the lining of the uterus from day 4?
It becomes a SPONGY LAYER full of blood vessels
What happens around day 14 of the menstrual cycle?
EGG is released from the ovaries
When is a woman most likely to get pregnant?
When the EGG is released - Around day 14 of the menstrual cycle
What happens from day 14 to the end of the menstrual cycle?
Uterus lining thickness is MAINTAINED
What happens if the thickness of the uterus lining is not maintained?
The lining BREAKS DOWN and the EGG DIES and is passed out the vagina
What happens to the lining of the uterus if the egg is fertilised?
The lining of the uterus is MAINTAINED and stays THICK
