AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) causes maturation of an egg in the…
Full specification wording
Hormones in human reproduction: Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) causes maturation of an egg in the ovary. • Luteinising hormone (LH) stimulates the release of the egg. • Oestrogen and progesterone are involved in maintaining the uterus lining.
Each hormone in the menstrual cycle has a specific role.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 8 of 10
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Each hormone in the menstrual cycle has a specific role. FSH, made by the pituitary gland, travels in the blood to the ovaries and causes an egg to mature inside a follicle. As the follicle develops, the ovary secretes oestrogen, which stimulates the uterus lining to thicken and repair after menstruation. When oestrogen reaches a high enough level, it triggers a surge of LH from the pituitary gland. LH stimulates ovulation, the release of the mature egg from the ovary. After ovulation, the remains of the follicle form the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone. Progesterone maintains the thickened uterus lining so that a fertilised egg could implant. If fertilisation does not occur, the corpus luteum breaks down, progesterone and oestrogen levels fall, and the lining is shed during menstruation.
What earns the marks
- State that FSH causes an egg to mature in the ovary.
- State that LH stimulates the release of the egg, a process called ovulation.
- State that oestrogen is involved in repairing and thickening the uterus lining.
- State that progesterone maintains the uterus lining after ovulation.
- Link each hormone to its source: FSH and LH from the pituitary gland, oestrogen and progesterone from the ovaries.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Saying LH matures the egg.
Put it right by stating that FSH matures the egg and LH triggers its release.
Saying oestrogen maintains the lining throughout the cycle.
Put it right by explaining that oestrogen builds the lining and progesterone maintains it after ovulation.
Forgetting that progesterone is produced after ovulation by the corpus luteum.
Put it right by linking progesterone secretion to the remains of the follicle.
Exam tips
- Match each hormone to one clear job in a table or bullet list to avoid mixing up their roles.
- Use the word ovulation when describing the release of the egg, as it is the precise scientific term.
- Mention the uterus lining when discussing oestrogen and progesterone, since both are assessed in relation to it.
Try the lesson
The start of the Hormones in human reproduction: Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) causes maturation of an egg in the ovary. • Luteinising hormone (LH) stimulates the release of the egg. • Oestrogen and progesterone are involved in maintaining the uterus lining. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which hormone causes an egg to mature inside the ovary?
Listen
Each hormone in the menstrual cycle has a specific role. FSH, made by the pituitary gland, travels in the blood to the ovaries and causes an egg to mature inside a follicle. As the follicle develops, the ovary secretes oestrogen, which stimulates the uterus lining to thicken and repair after menstruation. When oestrogen reaches a high enough level, it triggers a surge of LH from the pituitary gland. LH stimulates ovulation, the release of the mature egg from the ovary. After ovulation, the remains of the follicle form the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone. Progesterone maintains the thickened uterus lining so that a fertilised egg could implant. If fertilisation does not occur, the corpus luteum breaks down, progesterone and oestrogen levels fall, and the lining is shed during menstruation. A strong answer earns marks for these points. State that FSH causes an egg to mature in the ovary. State that LH stimulates the release of the egg, a process called ovulation. State that oestrogen is involved in repairing and thickening the uterus lining. State that progesterone maintains the uterus lining after ovulation. A common slip: Saying LH matures the egg. Instead, stating that FSH matures the egg and LH triggers its release. Exam tip: Match each hormone to one clear job in a table or bullet list to avoid mixing up their roles.
See it
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Ovulation
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Oestrogen
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Progesterone
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Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
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See every definition
- Ovulation
- The release of the mature egg from the ovary, stimulated by luteinising hormone.
- Oestrogen
- Secreted by the ovary as the follicle develops, it stimulates the uterus lining to thicken and repair after menstruation.
- Progesterone
- Secreted by the corpus luteum after ovulation, it maintains the thickened uterus lining so that a fertilised egg could implant.
- Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
- Causes maturation of an egg in the ovary, causing an egg to mature inside a follicle.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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