AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
Testosterone is the main male reproductive hormone produced by the testes…
Full specification wording
Hormones in human reproduction: Testosterone is the main male reproductive hormone produced by the testes and it stimulates sperm production.
Testosterone is the principal male reproductive hormone.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 6 of 10
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Testosterone is the principal male reproductive hormone. It is produced by the testes, specifically by the interstitial cells between the seminiferous tubules. As a hormone, it is carried in the bloodstream and acts on target cells with complementary receptors. Its main reproductive role is to stimulate sperm production in the testes, and it also promotes male secondary sexual characteristics at puberty, such as deepening of the voice, growth of facial and body hair, and increased muscle development. Sperm production occurs in the seminiferous tubules and is also supported by follicle stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone from the pituitary gland, but testosterone is the main male reproductive hormone named in the specification. This statement links the testes, testosterone and sperm production.
What earns the marks
- States that testosterone is the main male reproductive hormone.
- Identifies the testes as the organ that produces testosterone.
- Explains that testosterone stimulates sperm production in the testes.
- Names the seminiferous tubules as the site of sperm production.
- Describes at least one additional role, such as promoting male secondary sexual characteristics at puberty.
- Recognises that testosterone travels in the blood to target cells, acting as a chemical messenger.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Saying testosterone is produced by the prostate gland or seminal vesicles.
Put it right by naming the testes as the production site.
Confusing testosterone with oestrogen and assigning female roles to it.
Put it right by stating that testosterone is the main male reproductive hormone.
Stating that testosterone is carried in the sperm or stored in semen.
Put it right by stating that it is a hormone transported in the bloodstream.
Exam tips
- Use the phrase main male reproductive hormone when defining testosterone, as the specification distinguishes main roles.
- Name the testes precisely rather than writing male reproductive system, because the organ is the expected answer.
- Link testosterone to sperm production and to one secondary sexual characteristic to show both reproductive and developmental roles.
Try the lesson
The start of the Hormones in human reproduction: Testosterone is the main male reproductive hormone produced by the testes and it stimulates sperm production. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which organ produces testosterone in the male reproductive system?
Listen
Testosterone is the principal male reproductive hormone. It is produced by the testes, specifically by the interstitial cells between the seminiferous tubules. As a hormone, it is carried in the bloodstream and acts on target cells with complementary receptors. Its main reproductive role is to stimulate sperm production in the testes, and it also promotes male secondary sexual characteristics at puberty, such as deepening of the voice, growth of facial and body hair, and increased muscle development. Sperm production occurs in the seminiferous tubules and is also supported by follicle stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone from the pituitary gland, but testosterone is the main male reproductive hormone named in the specification. This statement links the testes, testosterone and sperm production. A strong answer earns marks for these points. States that testosterone is the main male reproductive hormone. Identifies the testes as the organ that produces testosterone. Explains that testosterone stimulates sperm production in the testes. Names the seminiferous tubules as the site of sperm production. A common slip: Saying testosterone is produced by the prostate gland or seminal vesicles. Instead, naming the testes as the production site. Exam tip: Use the phrase main male reproductive hormone when defining testosterone, as the specification distinguishes main roles.
See it
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Testosterone
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Testes
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Sperm production
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Male secondary sexual characteristics
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See every definition
- Testosterone
- The main male reproductive hormone, produced by the testes, which stimulates sperm production.
- Testes
- The organ that produces testosterone, the main male reproductive hormone.
- Sperm production
- The process stimulated by testosterone in the testes.
- Male secondary sexual characteristics
- Features promoted by testosterone at puberty, such as deepening of the voice, growth of facial and body hair, and increased muscle development.
Label the diagram
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1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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