AQA · GCSE · Combined Science

    Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018

    Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) causes maturation of an egg in the ovary.

    Full specification wording

    Hormones in human reproduction: Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) causes maturation of an egg in the ovary.

    Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is a key reproductive hormone in females.

    Checked against the AQA 8464 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

    Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is a key reproductive hormone in females. It is secreted by the pituitary gland, often referred to as a 'master gland', and travels in the blood to its target organ, the ovary. In the ovary, FSH causes an egg to mature within a follicle. This maturation is a crucial step in the menstrual cycle, preparing the egg for potential release and fertilisation. Understanding this pathway helps explain how hormones coordinate reproductive processes.

    What earns the marks

    • FSH is produced and secreted by the pituitary gland.
    • FSH causes the maturation of an egg in the ovary.
    • The egg matures inside a structure called a follicle.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Stating that FSH is produced by the ovary.

      Put it right: FSH is produced by the pituitary gland and acts on the ovary.

    • Saying that FSH releases the egg.

      Put it right: FSH causes maturation of the egg, whereas LH stimulates the release of the egg.

    • Confusing the roles of different hormones.

      Put it right: Ensure you specifically link FSH to egg maturation, not to thickening the uterus lining.

    Exam tips

    • Name the pituitary gland as the source of FSH and the ovary as the target organ in written answers.
    • Use the exact phrase 'maturation of an egg' rather than vague wording such as 'makes an egg' or 'grows an egg'.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the Hormones in human reproduction: Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) causes maturation of an egg in the ovary. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    Which hormone causes an egg to mature in the ovary?

    Listen

    Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is a key reproductive hormone in females. It is secreted by the pituitary gland, often referred to as a 'master gland', and travels in the blood to its target organ, the ovary. In the ovary, FSH causes an egg to mature within a follicle. This maturation is a crucial step in the menstrual cycle, preparing the egg for potential release and fertilisation. Understanding this pathway helps explain how hormones coordinate reproductive processes. A strong answer earns marks for these points. FSH is produced and secreted by the pituitary gland. FSH causes the maturation of an egg in the ovary. The egg matures inside a structure called a follicle. A common slip: Stating that FSH is produced by the ovary. Instead, FSH is produced by the pituitary gland and acts on the ovary. Exam tip: Name the pituitary gland as the source of FSH and the ovary as the target organ in written answers.

    See it

    A left-to-right flowchart with six boxes connected by arrows. The first box is labelled 'Pituitary gland'. An arrow leads to the second box, 'FSH secreted into blood'. An arrow leads to the third box, 'Transported in blood plasma'. An arrow leads to the fourth box, 'Target organ: ovary'. An arrow leads to the fifth box, 'Maturation of an egg'. An arrow leads to the sixth box, 'Egg matures inside a follicle'.
    It shows the pathway of FSH from the pituitary gland through the blood to the ovary, where it causes an egg to mature inside a follicle.

    Put it in order

    Put these steps in the order they happen.

    1. 1. Transported in blood plasma
    2. 2. FSH secreted into blood
    3. 3. Pituitary gland
    4. 4. Egg matures inside a follicle
    5. 5. Maturation of an egg
    6. 6. Target organ: ovary

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    Pituitary gland

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Target organ

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Follicle

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Maturation of an egg

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    See every definition
    Pituitary gland
    The gland that produces and secretes FSH, often referred to as a 'master gland'.
    Target organ
    The organ to which a hormone travels in the blood; for FSH this is the ovary.
    Follicle
    The structure inside the ovary in which an egg matures.
    Maturation of an egg
    The process caused by FSH in the ovary, preparing the egg for potential release and fertilisation.

    Label the diagram

    Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

    The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A left-to-right flowchart with six boxes connected by arrows. The first box is labelled 'Pituitary gland'. An arrow leads to the second box, 'FSH secreted into blood'. An arrow leads to the third box, 'Transported in blood plasma'. An arrow leads to the fourth box, 'Target organ: ovary'. An arrow leads to the fifth box, 'Maturation of an egg'. An arrow leads to the sixth box, 'Egg matures inside a follicle'.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

    0 of 3 labelled

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