AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
During puberty reproductive hormones cause secondary sex characteristics…
Full specification wording
Hormones in human reproduction: During puberty reproductive hormones cause secondary sex characteristics to develop.
Puberty is the stage of development when the reproductive system becomes mature.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 10
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Puberty is the stage of development when the reproductive system becomes mature. It is triggered by hormones released by the pituitary gland, which stimulate the testes in males and the ovaries in females. Testosterone, produced by the testes, causes secondary sex characteristics such as deepening of the voice, growth of facial and body hair, and increased muscle development. Oestrogen, produced by the ovaries, causes secondary sex characteristics such as breast development, widening of the hips, and the start of menstrual cycles. These changes prepare the body for reproduction. The hormones are carried in the blood to their target organs, where they produce specific effects.
What earns the marks
- Puberty is triggered by hormones from the pituitary gland that stimulate the testes or ovaries.
- Testosterone is produced by the testes and causes male secondary sex characteristics.
- Oestrogen is produced by the ovaries and causes female secondary sex characteristics.
- Examples of male secondary sex characteristics include voice deepening, facial hair growth and increased muscle development.
- Examples of female secondary sex characteristics include breast development, widening of the hips and the start of menstrual cycles.
- The hormones travel in the blood to target organs, where they bring about the changes of puberty.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing the hormones: testosterone is the main male reproductive hormone, while oestrogen is the main female reproductive hormone.
Thinking that secondary sex characteristics appear before puberty.
Put it right: They develop during puberty as hormone levels rise.
Stating that the pituitary gland produces testosterone or oestrogen.
Put it right: The testes and ovaries produce these hormones, while the pituitary gland releases stimulating hormones.
Exam tips
- Give named examples of secondary sex characteristics for each sex rather than general statements.
- Link each characteristic to the hormone that causes it.
- Use the term target organ when explaining how hormones bring about specific effects.
Try the lesson
The start of the Hormones in human reproduction: During puberty reproductive hormones cause secondary sex characteristics to develop. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which hormone is responsible for the development of secondary sex characteristics in males during puberty?
Listen
Puberty is the stage of development when the reproductive system becomes mature. It is triggered by hormones released by the pituitary gland, which stimulate the testes in males and the ovaries in females. Testosterone, produced by the testes, causes secondary sex characteristics such as deepening of the voice, growth of facial and body hair, and increased muscle development. Oestrogen, produced by the ovaries, causes secondary sex characteristics such as breast development, widening of the hips, and the start of menstrual cycles. These changes prepare the body for reproduction. The hormones are carried in the blood to their target organs, where they produce specific effects. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Puberty is triggered by hormones from the pituitary gland that stimulate the testes or ovaries. Testosterone is produced by the testes and causes male secondary sex characteristics. Oestrogen is produced by the ovaries and causes female secondary sex characteristics. Examples of male secondary sex characteristics include voice deepening, facial hair growth and increased muscle development. Exam tip: Give named examples of secondary sex characteristics for each sex rather than general statements.
Key words
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Puberty
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Secondary sex characteristics
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Target organs
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See every definition
- Puberty
- The stage of development when the reproductive system becomes mature, triggered by hormones released by the pituitary gland.
- Secondary sex characteristics
- Features such as voice deepening, facial hair growth, breast development and widening of the hips that develop during puberty.
- Target organs
- The organs that hormones are carried in the blood to, where they produce specific effects.
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