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Biology · Edexcel Paper 2

Hormones and Reproduction

How hormones are made in the endocrine glands and carried by the blood to their target organs, how adrenaline prepares the body for fight or flight, how thyroxine controls the metabolic rate by negative feedback, how hormones control the menstrual cycle, and how hormones are used in contraception and in assisted reproductive technology. Matches Edexcel 7.1 to 7.8. The endocrine system, the stages of the menstrual cycle and contraception are for both Combined Science and separate Biology at Foundation and Higher. Adrenaline (7.2), thyroxine (7.3), the interactions of the menstrual cycle hormones (7.5) and assisted reproductive technology (7.8) are for the Higher tier only, in both courses.

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Key terms in this chapter

All 63, gathered from every lesson.

Hormone
A chemical messenger that is made in an endocrine gland and carried in the blood.
Endocrine gland
A gland that releases hormones directly into the blood.
Target organ
An organ that responds to a particular hormone.
Pituitary gland
A gland at the base of the brain that releases hormones controlling other glands.
Thyroid gland
A gland in the neck that releases thyroxine.
Pancreas
An organ that releases insulin and glucagon, and also makes digestive enzymes.
Adrenal gland
A gland above the kidney that releases adrenaline.
Ovary
An organ that makes eggs and the hormones oestrogen and progesterone.
Testis
An organ that makes sperm and the hormone testosterone.
Adrenaline
A hormone, made by the adrenal glands, which prepares the body for fight or flight. It is also spelled adrenalin.
Adrenal gland
An endocrine gland on top of each kidney, which releases adrenaline.
Fight or flight
The response of the body to a threat, which prepares it to fight or to run away.
Glycogen
A carbohydrate that is a store of glucose in the liver and muscles.
Blood pressure
The force with which the blood pushes against the walls of the blood vessels.
Heart rate
The number of times the heart beats in a minute.
Target organ
An organ that responds to a hormone.
Aerobic respiration
Respiration that uses oxygen to release energy from glucose.
Anaphylaxis
A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction.
Thyroxine
A hormone made by the thyroid gland, which controls the metabolic rate.
Metabolic rate
The speed at which the chemical reactions in the cells of the body take place.
TRH
Thyrotropin releasing hormone, released by the hypothalamus.
TSH
Thyroid stimulating hormone, released by the pituitary gland.
Hypothalamus
A part of the brain that monitors conditions in the blood and controls the pituitary gland.
Negative feedback
A response that reverses a change, and so keeps a level steady.
Inhibit
To reduce or to stop.
Goitre
A swelling of the thyroid gland, which is often caused by a lack of iodine.
Iodine
An element that the thyroid gland needs to make thyroxine.
Menstrual cycle
The monthly cycle in the female reproductive system.
Menstruation
The loss of the lining of the uterus, from the vagina, at the start of each cycle.
Ovulation
The release of a mature egg from an ovary.
Oestrogen
A hormone from the ovaries that repairs and thickens the lining of the uterus.
Progesterone
A hormone from the ovaries that maintains the lining of the uterus.
Uterus
The organ in which an embryo grows.
Follicle
A structure in the ovary in which an egg matures.
Puberty
The stage when the sex organs become mature.
Oviduct
The tube that carries an egg from the ovary to the uterus.
FSH
Follicle stimulating hormone, from the pituitary gland, which makes a follicle in the ovary mature.
LH
Luteinising hormone, from the pituitary gland, which causes ovulation.
Surge
A short, sharp rise in the level of a hormone.
Follicle
A structure in the ovary in which an egg matures.
Corpus luteum
The empty follicle after ovulation, which makes progesterone.
Inhibit
To reduce or to stop.
Negative feedback
A response that reverses a change.
Oestrogen
A hormone from the ovaries that repairs the lining of the uterus.
Progesterone
A hormone from the ovaries that maintains the lining of the uterus.
Contraception
A method of preventing pregnancy.
Hormonal contraception
Contraception that uses hormones to stop ovulation or to change the uterus and the mucus.
Barrier method
A method that stops the sperm from reaching the egg, such as a condom.
Implant
A small rod that is put under the skin, and releases progesterone for years.
Intrauterine device (IUD)
A small device that is put in the uterus to prevent pregnancy.
Spermicide
A chemical that kills sperm.
Sterilisation
An operation that makes a person unable to have children.
STI
A sexually transmitted infection.
Diaphragm
A rubber dome that covers the cervix.
Assisted reproductive technology (ART)
Medical treatments that help people to become pregnant.
IVF
In vitro fertilisation, in which an egg is fertilised by sperm in a laboratory.
Clomifene
A drug that makes the pituitary gland release more FSH and LH, to cause ovulation.
Embryo
A ball of cells formed from a fertilised egg.
Infertility
The inability to conceive a baby.
Incubator
A device that keeps cells at a steady temperature.
Multiple birth
The birth of more than one baby at a time, such as twins.
Fertility drug
A drug, such as FSH and LH, that helps a woman to release eggs.
In vitro
In glass, which means in a laboratory dish.