OpenRevise

Exam questions · Biology · Hormones and Reproduction

Hormones and the Menstrual Cycle (Higher tier)

  • 6 exam questions
  • 18 marks
  • 9 quick checks
  1. 1 State [1 mark]

    State the hormone that causes ovulation.

    Show answerHide answer

    Model answer

    LH (luteinising hormone).

    Mark scheme

    • LH — 1 mark
  2. 2 Name [2 marks]

    State the roles of FSH and of progesterone in the menstrual cycle.

    Show answerHide answer

    Model answer

    FSH causes a follicle to mature, and stimulates the ovary to make oestrogen. Progesterone maintains the lining of the uterus.

    Mark scheme

    • FSH matures a follicle — 1 mark
    • Progesterone maintains the lining — 1 mark
  3. 3 Explain [3 marks]

    Explain how oestrogen causes ovulation.

    Show answerHide answer

    Model answer

    Oestrogen is made by the follicle as it matures. When the level of oestrogen is high enough, it stimulates the pituitary gland to release a surge of LH. The LH causes the follicle to release the egg, which is ovulation.

    Mark scheme

    • High oestrogen — 1 mark
    • Stimulates a surge of LH from the pituitary gland — 1 mark
    • LH causes ovulation — 1 mark
  4. 4 Explain [3 marks]

    Explain why a high level of progesterone after ovulation stops another egg from maturing.

    Show answerHide answer

    Model answer

    Progesterone inhibits the release of FSH and LH from the pituitary gland. FSH is needed for a follicle to mature, so with the level of FSH low, no more follicles mature, and no more eggs are released.

    Mark scheme

    • Progesterone inhibits FSH and LH — 1 mark
    • FSH needed for follicle to mature — 1 mark
    • So no more eggs mature — 1 mark
  5. 5 Describe [3 marks]

    The graph of hormone levels shows that FSH is high at the start of the cycle and falls as the level of oestrogen rises. Describe and explain this pattern.

    Show answerHide answer

    Model answer

    The level of FSH falls as the level of oestrogen rises. This is because oestrogen inhibits the release of FSH, which is negative feedback, and it means that only one follicle usually matures.

    Mark scheme

    • FSH falls as oestrogen rises — 1 mark
    • Oestrogen inhibits FSH — 1 mark
    • Negative feedback, so one follicle matures — 1 mark
  6. 6 Evaluate [6 marks]

    Explain how the control of the menstrual cycle by hormones ensures that the uterus is ready to receive an embryo at the time that an egg is released.

    Show answerHide answer

    Model answer

    At the start of the cycle FSH causes a follicle to mature, and the ovary to make oestrogen. Oestrogen causes the lining of the uterus to repair and thicken, so that it is thick when the egg is released. When the level of oestrogen is high enough, it stimulates a surge of LH, which causes ovulation at about day 14. The empty follicle then makes progesterone, which maintains the thick lining with a good blood supply. Progesterone also inhibits FSH and LH, so no more eggs are released. The timing of these hormones means that the lining is thick and ready just as the egg arrives, and it is maintained while an embryo could implant. If there is no pregnancy, progesterone falls, and the lining breaks down.

    Mark scheme

    • FSH matures a follicle which makes oestrogen — 1 mark
    • Oestrogen repairs and thickens the lining — 1 mark
    • High oestrogen stimulates an LH surge — 1 mark
    • LH causes ovulation — 1 mark
    • Progesterone maintains the lining — 1 mark
    • Timing ensures that the lining is ready — 1 mark

Quick check

  1. 1

    Which hormone is released by the pituitary gland and makes a follicle mature?

    1. AOestrogen
    2. BProgesterone
    3. CFSH
    4. DInsulin
    Show answerHide answer

    C: FSH

    FSH.

  2. 2

    Which hormone causes ovulation?

    1. ALH
    2. BFSH
    3. CProgesterone
    4. DThyroxine
    Show answerHide answer

    A: LH

    LH.

  3. 3

    Which hormone is made by the empty follicle after ovulation?

    1. AFSH
    2. BLH
    3. COestrogen
    4. DProgesterone
    Show answerHide answer

    D: Progesterone

    Progesterone.

  4. 4

    What does a high level of oestrogen stimulate?

    1. AA surge of FSH
    2. BA surge of LH
    3. CA period
    4. DThe end of the cycle
    Show answerHide answer

    B: A surge of LH

    A surge of LH from the pituitary gland.

  5. 5

    What causes menstruation?

    1. AA rise in progesterone
    2. BA rise in LH
    3. CA fall in progesterone
    4. DA rise in FSH
    Show answerHide answer

    C: A fall in progesterone

    A fall in the level of progesterone.

  6. 6

    What does progesterone inhibit?

    1. AFSH and LH
    2. BOestrogen only
    3. CThe uterus
    4. DThe ovary
    Show answerHide answer

    A: FSH and LH

    FSH and LH.

  7. 7

    On which day is the LH level at its highest?

    1. ADay 1
    2. BDay 7
    3. CDay 21
    4. DDay 14
    Show answerHide answer

    D: Day 14

    About day 14.

  8. 8

    Why does only one follicle usually mature in each cycle?

    1. ABecause there is only one in each ovary
    2. BBecause oestrogen inhibits FSH
    3. CBecause LH is low
    4. DBecause the uterus is thick
    Show answerHide answer

    B: Because oestrogen inhibits FSH

    Oestrogen inhibits FSH as its level rises.

  9. 9

    A woman takes a drug that blocks the release of LH. What is the most likely effect?

    1. ANo ovulation
    2. BEarlier ovulation
    3. CA thicker lining
    4. DMore FSH release
    Show answerHide answer

    A: No ovulation

    With no LH surge, there is no ovulation.