AQA · GCSE · Combined Science
Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018
Oestrogen is the main female reproductive hormone produced in the ovary.…
Full specification wording
Hormones in human reproduction: Oestrogen is the main female reproductive hormone produced in the ovary. At puberty eggs begin to mature and one is released approximately every 28 days. This is called ovulation.
Oestrogen is the main female reproductive hormone, produced by the ovaries.
Checked against the AQA 8464 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 10
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Oestrogen is the main female reproductive hormone, produced by the ovaries. During puberty, it stimulates the development of secondary sex characteristics and helps regulate the menstrual cycle. The cycle is about 28 days long. Each cycle, an egg matures in a follicle in the ovary. Around the middle of the cycle, the follicle bursts and releases the egg. This release is called ovulation. The egg then travels along the oviduct (fallopian tube) towards the uterus. If sperm are present, fertilisation may occur. If not, the egg passes out of the body. Oestrogen also causes the lining of the uterus to thicken, preparing for a possible pregnancy. Understanding ovulation is essential for explaining fertility and the menstrual cycle.
What earns the marks
- Oestrogen is produced by the ovaries and is the main female reproductive hormone.
- At puberty, eggs begin to mature within follicles in the ovaries.
- Ovulation is the release of a mature egg from an ovary, approximately every 28 days.
- The egg travels along the oviduct (fallopian tube) to the uterus.
- Oestrogen also stimulates the thickening of the uterus lining during the menstrual cycle.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing ovulation with menstruation.
Put it right: Ovulation is the release of an egg; menstruation is the breakdown and loss of the uterus lining.
Thinking that ovulation occurs every 28 days exactly for all women.
Put it right: The average cycle is about 28 days, but it can vary between individuals and cycles.
Believing that oestrogen is only involved in secondary sex characteristics.
Put it right: Oestrogen also regulates the menstrual cycle and prepares the uterus lining for pregnancy.
Exam tips
- State clearly that oestrogen is produced in the ovary and name its role in ovulation and the menstrual cycle.
- Use the term 'ovulation' correctly and link it to the release of an egg approximately every 28 days.
- When describing the journey of the egg, mention the oviduct (fallopian tube) and the uterus.
Try the lesson
The start of the Hormones in human reproduction: Oestrogen is the main female reproductive hormone produced in the ovary. At puberty eggs begin to mature and one is released approximately every 28 days. This is called ovulation. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
In which organ is oestrogen, the main female reproductive hormone, produced?
Listen
Oestrogen is the main female reproductive hormone, produced by the ovaries. During puberty, it stimulates the development of secondary sex characteristics and helps regulate the menstrual cycle. The cycle is about 28 days long. Each cycle, an egg matures in a follicle in the ovary. Around the middle of the cycle, the follicle bursts and releases the egg. This release is called ovulation. The egg then travels along the oviduct (fallopian tube) towards the uterus. If sperm are present, fertilisation may occur. If not, the egg passes out of the body. Oestrogen also causes the lining of the uterus to thicken, preparing for a possible pregnancy. Understanding ovulation is essential for explaining fertility and the menstrual cycle. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Oestrogen is produced by the ovaries and is the main female reproductive hormone. At puberty, eggs begin to mature within follicles in the ovaries. Ovulation is the release of a mature egg from an ovary, approximately every 28 days. The egg travels along the oviduct (fallopian tube) to the uterus. A common slip: Confusing ovulation with menstruation. Instead, ovulation is the release of an egg; menstruation is the breakdown and loss of the uterus lining. Exam tip: State clearly that oestrogen is produced in the ovary and name its role in ovulation and the menstrual cycle.
See it
Key words
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Oestrogen
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Ovulation
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The menstrual cycle
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See every definition
- Oestrogen
- The main female reproductive hormone, produced in the ovary, which also causes the lining of the uterus to thicken.
- Ovulation
- The release of a mature egg from an ovary, which happens approximately every 28 days.
- The menstrual cycle
- A cycle of about 28 days in which an egg matures and is released, and the uterus lining thickens.
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