The Menstrual Cycle

L.O: To know how hormones

are used to control the
menstrual cycle
 Complete this table
Process Type of response Target organ
(nerve/hormone)
Adrenalin increasing Heart and liver
heart rate and sugar
in the blood
Insulin controlling
sugar
Touching a hot
tripod
Testosterone in men Male reproductive
organs
Airzooka and
blinking
ADH (anti-diuretic kidneys
hormone)
Oestrogen Ovaries, uterus,
pituitary gland
What are hormones?
The Endocrine System
 Hormones
• Hormones are used to send
information around the body
• They work more slowly than nerves
• They are secreted by glands (e.g.
the pituitary gland
• They travel in the blood
• They go to all organs but usually
only affect target organs e.g.
ovaries and pancreas
 Why is the menstrual cycle
important?
• Matures the ovum for ovulation
• Controls the release of the ovum
(ovulation)
• Thickens the uterus to receive an ovum
• Maintains the lining of the uterus in
pregnancy
• Induces menstruation ‘a period’ if the
ovum is not fertilized
 Endocrine glands
pituitary
gland The pituitary gland produces several
specific hormones in females:
follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
luteinizing hormone (LH)

The ovaries produce oestrogen

and progesterone
 The menstrual cycle – can
we model this?

Step 1: FSH Step 3: LH

produced by the stimulates the
pituitary gland release of the
causes both an egg Step 2: The rising levels of mature egg in
to mature and the oestrogen cause the pituitary the middle of
ovaries to start gland to stop producing FSH the menstrual
producing oestrogen and produce LH instead cycle

3 hormones are involved in the menstrual cycle: oestrogen, LH and

FSH. Here’s how:
12/03/20
Worksheet
 FSH

• FSH (follicle stimulating hormone)

• Secreted by the pituitary gland
• Causes eggs to mature in the
ovaries
• Stimulates the ovaries to produce
oestrogen
 Oestrogen

• Secreted by the ovaries

• Stimulates the lining to be made
• Stops productions of FSH so no
more eggs mature
• Causes the release of LH which
causes an ovum to be released
(ovulation)
 Progesterone

• A high level of Progesterone

maintains the lining of the uterus
• When the level of progesterone
falls the uterus lining breaks down
resulting in menstruation (a
period)
 Quick Quiz
1. Give 2 differences between the way information
travels by nerves and hormones
2. Give 2 reasons the menstrual cycle is important
3. Which hormone is responsible for maintaining
the lining of the uterus?
4. Which hormone causes the ovum to mature?
5. Which hormone is associated with the release
of an ovum (ovulation)?
6. On which day is a woman most likely to get
pregnant?
• http://www.nelsonthornes.com/4u
resources/resources/Biology/AQA/i
nteractives/B1a-1/Menstrual_cycle
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