Hormones in Human Reproduction
Practise Hormones in Human Reproduction for GCSE Biology with this free worksheet and full mark scheme — Foundation and Higher exam-style questions with worked answers for AQA, Edexcel and OCR. Learn the roles of the four key hormones — FSH, LH, oestrogen and progesterone — in controlling the menstrual cycle.
Free downloads
These worksheets and mark schemes are original, written for Virtus Academy and checked against the current AQA, Edexcel and OCR specifications. Every worksheet comes with a full mark scheme.
Topic overview
Hormones control human reproduction, including the menstrual cycle. At puberty, reproductive hormones cause secondary sex characteristics to develop.
Oestrogen is the main female reproductive hormone, produced in the ovaries. Testosterone is the main male reproductive hormone, produced in the testes, and it stimulates sperm production.
Four hormones control the menstrual cycle. FSH causes an egg to mature in the ovary. LH stimulates the release of that egg, which is ovulation. Oestrogen and progesterone maintain the uterus lining, ready to receive a fertilised egg.
Revision notes
The four hormones
FSH, from the pituitary gland, causes an egg to mature in an ovary.
LH, also from the pituitary, stimulates the release of the egg — ovulation. Oestrogen and progesterone, from the ovaries, maintain the lining of the uterus.
The sequence
FSH causes an egg to mature and stimulates the ovaries to produce oestrogen.
Oestrogen builds up the uterus lining and, when high enough, triggers LH. LH causes ovulation at around day 14. Progesterone then maintains the lining during the second half of the cycle.
Puberty
Oestrogen from the ovaries and testosterone from the testes cause secondary sex characteristics to develop at puberty.
Testosterone also stimulates sperm production. Eggs begin to mature and are released roughly every 28 days from the start of puberty.
Key points
- Oestrogen is the main female reproductive hormone.
- Testosterone is the main male reproductive hormone.
- FSH causes an egg to mature.
- LH stimulates the release of the egg.
- Ovulation happens at about day 14.
- Oestrogen and progesterone maintain the uterus lining.
Worked examples
Example 1
Name the hormone that stimulates the release of an egg from the ovary. [1 mark]
Model answer
Luteinising hormone, LH (1 mark).
Example 2
Describe the roles of FSH and oestrogen in the menstrual cycle. [3 marks]
Model answer
FSH causes an egg to mature in the ovary (1 mark) and stimulates the ovaries to produce oestrogen (1 mark). Oestrogen causes the lining of the uterus to build up ready to receive a fertilised egg (1 mark).
Example 3
Name the hormone that stimulates sperm production and state where it is produced. [2 marks]
Model answer
Testosterone (1 mark), produced in the testes (1 mark).
Common mistakes
Confusing FSH and LH.
FSH matures the egg; LH releases it. The order in the cycle is FSH first.
Saying oestrogen is produced by the pituitary.
FSH and LH come from the pituitary; oestrogen and progesterone come from the ovaries.
Saying ovulation is menstruation.
Ovulation is the release of the egg around day 14; menstruation is the loss of the lining.
Giving only one role for FSH.
It both matures the egg and stimulates oestrogen production.
Exam tips
- Learn which gland produces each of the four hormones.
- Remember the order: FSH, oestrogen, LH, progesterone.
- Give day 14 as the approximate time of ovulation.
- State both roles of FSH when the marks allow.
Key terms
- FSH
- Follicle stimulating hormone, which matures an egg.
- LH
- Luteinising hormone, which triggers ovulation.
- Oestrogen
- The main female reproductive hormone, which builds the uterus lining.
- Progesterone
- The hormone that maintains the uterus lining.
Related topics
Written and reviewed against the current AQA, Edexcel and OCR specifications. Spotted an error? Let us know.