Menstrual Cycle Flashcards
Where are hormones produced?
Produced in glands and transported in the bloodstream to target cells
What is the endocrine system?
system of glands that produce hormones
Where and what does FSH do?
Found in the pituitary and stimulates egg development and oestrogen secretion
Where and what does LH do?
Found in the pituitary gland, stimulates ovulation
Where and what does oestrogen do?
Produced in the ovaries, responsible for female secondary sexual characteristics and repair of endometrium (womb lining)
Where and what does progesterone do?
Produced in the ovaries, responsible for the growth of the endometrium
What is the endometrium?
Womb lining, thick tissue with lots of blood vessels
What is the function of the endometrium?
Provides nutrients and oxygen for implanted embryo
What happens during the menstrual cycle?
Days 1-5 = menstrual flow
Days 6-13 = egg maturation, repair of endometrium
Day 14 = ovulation
Days 15-17 = fertilisation possible, growth of endometrium
Days 18-28 = without fertilisation the egg dies
What is negative feedback? Give an example
Negative feedback is when an effect is counteracted (stopped) by its own influence, ie. Further oestrogen production is inhibited by oestrogen’s inhibitory effect on FSH
What is positive feedback? Give an example.
Positive feedback is when an effect is enhanced by its own influence, ie. Further oestrogen production is enhanced by oestrogen’s stimulatory effect on LH
What are hormones?
chemical messengers that travel in the blood to activate target cells
