B5.7 · 4.5.3.3Paper 2🔶 Year 11 — new this year
Hormones & Human Reproduction
Menstrual cycle hormones (FSH, LH, oestrogen, progesterone), contraception, fertility treatments.
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FreeScienceLessons · AQA BiologyHormones and the Menstrual Cycle
Key facts
Menstrual cycle hormones
- FSH (pituitary) — stimulates egg development in ovary; stimulates oestrogen production.
- Oestrogen (ovary) — causes uterus lining to thicken; inhibits FSH; stimulates LH surge.
- LH (pituitary) — triggers ovulation (egg release) at day ~14.
- Progesterone (corpus luteum) — maintains uterus lining; if no fertilisation → levels drop → menstruation.
- If fertilised egg implants → progesterone stays high maintaining the pregnancy.
Contraception and fertility
- Oral contraceptive pill — contains oestrogen/progesterone → inhibits FSH → no egg development.
- Progesterone-only pill — thickens cervical mucus, prevents sperm reaching egg.
- Fertility treatments: FSH injections stimulate egg production in women who cannot produce eggs naturally.
- IVF — eggs collected from ovary, fertilised with sperm in lab, embryo implanted in uterus.
- Clomifene therapy — drug that stimulates FSH and LH production.
Exam questions — 3 questions · 9 marks
⚡ Extended questions included. Read the hint. Write in full sentences. AI marks against the AQA mark scheme.
1 markFSH functionAQA 8461 P2 style
What is the role of FSH in the menstrual cycle?
A It causes ovulation directly
B It stimulates the development of egg follicles in the ovary and stimulates the production of oestrogen
C It maintains the uterus lining during pregnancy
D It causes menstruation when levels fall
1 markContraceptive pill mechanismAQA 8461 style
How does the combined oral contraceptive pill prevent pregnancy?
A It prevents the sperm from reaching the egg by thickening cervical mucus
B It contains oestrogen and progesterone which inhibit FSH production, preventing egg development
C It prevents fertilisation by making the uterus lining hostile to sperm
D It causes the ovaries to produce eggs too early so they are not viable
4 marksIVF processAQA 8461 P2 style
Describe the process of IVF treatment and explain why FSH injections are given at the start. (4 marks)
Hint: Cover: FSH → multiple eggs → collected → fertilised in lab → embryo → implanted into uterus. Explain WHY FSH is given (stimulate multiple eggs).
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