Hormones In Human Reproduction

Question 1

Explain how hormones interact in reproduction

Answer 1

1. The pituitary gland releases FSH. This stimulates the maturing of an egg in a follicle of the ovaries
2. This stimulates the ovaries to secrete oestrogen. Oestrogen causes the uterus lining to grow. It inhibits the secretion of FSH from the pituitary gland and stimulates the secretion of LH
3. LH stimulates the release of the mature egg from the follicle (ovulation). Ovulation stimulates the release of progesterone
4. Progesterone maintains the thickness of the uterus lining so that the egg can be implanted if it is fertilised. Progesterone inhibits the secretion of FSH and LH, so that no more eggs are matured and released from the ovaries.
5. If the egg is not fertilised this decreases levels of rprogesterone, so the uterus lining and egg are released from the uterus and the woman has her period.
6. The decrease in progesterone stimulates the secretion of FSH and LH, and the cycle repeats.

Question 2

What is a disadvantage of oral contraceptives e.g. ‘the pill’?

Answer 2

The pill must be taken everyday- if a woman forgets, this increases the risk of her becoming pregnant

The pill has side effects such as breast cancer and blood clots

The pill does not protect against STI’s e.g HIV

Question 3

What are the advantages of the oral contraceptive pill?

Answer 3

It can be very effective if taken correctly

Question 4

What are the disadvantages of using an implant, injection or skin patch?

Answer 4

They have side effects

They do not protect againts STI’s e.g HIV

Question 5

What are the advantages of using implants, injections or skin patches?

Answer 5

They are long-lasting as opposed to having being taken everyday

Question 6

What are the disadvantages of using barrier methods e.g. condoms and diaphragm for contraception?

Answer 6

The condom can break or slip off

They aren’t 100% effective in preventing pregnancy

Question 7

What are the advantages of using barrier methods e.g. condoms or diaphragms?

Answer 7

Highly effective if used properly

Reduce the risk of STI’s e.g. HIV

Question 8

What are the advantages of using intraterine devices as a use of contraception?

Answer 8

Highly effective

Long lasting

Do not have many side effects

Question 9

What are the disadvantages of using intrauterine devices?

Answer 9

They don’t protect against STI’s e.g. HIV

Question 10

Name an intrauterine device

Answer 10

The coil

Question 11

Name the six methods of contraception

Answer 11

Barrier methods
Intrauterine devices
Oral contraceptives
Progecting (implants,skin patches,inj.)
Abstinence
Sterilisation

Question 12

What are the disadvantages of abstinence?

Answer 12

It is difficult to detect when a woman has ovulated

They don’t protect againts STI’s e.g. HIV

Question 13

What is sterilisation?

Answer 13

The surgical methods of contraception

Question 14

What does sterilisation do in women?

Answer 14

Prevents the egg from leaving the uterus

Question 15

What does sterilisation do in men

Answer 15

Prevents the sperm from leaving the penis

Question 16

What are the advantages of sterilisation?

Answer 16

It is highly effective

Question 17

What are the disadvantages of sterilisation?

Answer 17

It is difficult to reverse so the person has to be very sure that they don’t want to have children

Doesn’t protect against STI’s e.g. HIV

Question 18

What are the advantages of abstinence?

Answer 18

No side effects

Question 20

Which hormones are found in the ‘fertility drug’?

Answer 20

FSH and LH

Question 21

What do the hormones in the fertility drug do to help with infertility?

Answer 21

FSH stimulates eggs in the ovaries to be matured

LH stimulates the ovulation of more eggs than usual- this increases the woman’s chances of becoming pregnant through sexual intercourse

Question 22

What happens when the fertility drug does not work?

Answer 22

A woman may undergo IVF treatment

Question 23

Describe the process of IVF treatment

Answer 23

1. The hormone FSH is given to the woman. FSH stimulates eggs in the ovaries to become mature in follicles
2. The mature eggs are then removed from the follicles and collected.
3. Sperm from the father is then injected into the eggs in a lab using modern technology
4. Then the fertilised eggs are incubated and they grow into embryos
5. Once the embryos are mature, 1-3 of them are transferred and implanted into the woman and can grow in the woman’s uterus like in a normal pregnancy.

Question 24

What are the advantages of IVF treatment

Answer 24

1. The woman can finally have a baby
2. The eggs can be stored for later use- this is normally done with cancer patients as it means that they can still have children after their cancer treatment
3. The remaining eggs can be used in research

Question 25

What are the disadvantages of IVF treatment?

Answer 25

1. It is physically and mentally draining on the parents
2. Expensive
3. Can lead to multiple births which is dangerous for the mother and the babies
4. Not all embryos are transferred to the woman- they may be destroyed, this is seen as unethical by some people.

Question 26

Which hormone controls secondary sex characteristics?

Answer 26

Oestrogen