Hormones: puberty, the menstrual cycle and the menopause | Combined science

Starter quiz

What does the endocrine system do?

transport materials around the body

produce hormones ✓

excrete waste

control movement

control breathing
Match the part of the female reproductive system to its name.

a

⇔

ovaries ✓

b

⇔

uterus ✓

c

⇔

vagina ✓
What is a?

penis

prostate

testes ✓
Match the gamete to its description.

Sperm

⇔

are prodced by males in the testes. ✓

Egg

⇔

are released by females from the ovaries. ✓
What word is used to describe the changes a person goes through to become sexually mature?

'Puberty' ✓
Put these stages of development in right order.

1

⇔

gamete

2

⇔

zygote

3

⇔

embryo

4

⇔

baby

5

⇔

child

6

⇔

teenager

7

⇔

adult

Exit quiz

Which of the following are true?

Hormones are chemicals. ✓

Hormones are transported around the body in the blood plasma. ✓

Hormones are transported around the body in red blood cells.

Hormones are produced by glands. ✓

Hormones are produced by bone marrow.
What is a?

'receptor' ✓
Which of the following only occur in males?

pubic hair grows

growth rate increases

testes grow ✓

emotional changes

underarm hair grows
When discussing the menopause, who is incorrect?

Sam: When all hormone levels decrease in the body. ✓

Jacob: When you go through puberty. ✓

Izzy: When levels of sex hormones decrease.

Sofia: When the menstrual cycle stops.
Which two processes are part of the menstrual cycle?

menstruation ✓

ovulation ✓

puberty

menopause
Which changes do the male sex organs undergo during puberty?

shoulders get wider

testes get bigger ✓

hips widen

penis gets bigger ✓

testes start to produce sperm cells ✓

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

Hormones are chemicals that are made and secreted by groups of specialised cells called glands.
Hormones are transported around the body in the blood plasma, and detected by receptors on cells and tissues.
During puberty, hormones cause maturation of the sex organs and development of secondary sexual characteristics.
Hormones control the menstrual cycle in adult human females, by causing ovulation and menstruation.
Decreases in hormone levels in older human females cause the menopause, after which the menstrual cycle stops.

Common misconception

Hormones are only released in the brain and control the mood.

Hormones control many processes in the body and are secreted from many glands. Those involved in puberty and the menstrual cycle have physical effects that may also impact on mood.

Keywords

Hormone - a chemical messenger secreted by glands and carried in the blood plasma
Gland - a group of specialised cells that secrete hormones
Puberty - the process of physical changes that lead to sexual maturity
Ovulation - the process of an egg being released from an ovary
Menstruation - the process of the uterus lining breaking down