Chapter 4

Hormonal control of reproductive cycle

Exercise
Multiple-choice questions (p. 98)
1

Short questions (p. 98)

5

Any three from:

1m x 3

FSH stimulates development / maturation of follicles.

FSH stimulates the release of oestrogen from the ovaries.
Oestrogen stimulates the thickening of uterine lining.
Oestrogen stimulates the release of LH / LH production.
LH stimulates ovulation / release of ova.
6

Pituitary gland

1m

Oestrogen and progesterone together inhibit the release of FSH.

1m

FSH stimulates follicle development / causes an ovum to develop / mature. / No

follicle / ovum develops if oestrogen level is high.
1m
No ovulation occurs / no ovum is released.
7

Any two from:

1m
1m x 2

The oviducts are blocked / the vagina is too acidic / no ovulation occurs.
The sperm count is low.
The sperm are with low motility.
b

Any two from:

1m x 2

Not all ova can be fertilized.

Some embryos / ova may fail to develop / grow / divide.
Some embryos may not implant to the uterine wall.
c

The women may be given drugs / hormones

1m

which cause ova / follicles to develop / cause ovulation.

1m

Structured questions (p. 99)

8

a
b
c

R, P, Q (1m for two correct answers)

2m

ii

Luteinising hormone

1m

It can stimulate the thickening of / maintain uterine lining.

1m

It can inhibit the contraction of uterus.

1m

It inhibits the secretion of follicle stimulating hormone / FSH

1m

to prevent follicle development / release of an ovum.

1m

A, D, C, E, B

1m

ii

B / yellow body

1m

iii

It stimulates the thickening of / maintains uterine lining.

1m

Day 12 / day 40

1m

ii

LH falls after it reaches the peak.

1m

OR
FSH and / or LH rise again in another cycle.
10

1m

A LH ; B FSH ; C oestrogen ; D progesterone

Follicles are stimulated to develop.

1m

ii

An ovum is released / ovulation.

1m

iii

Yellow body is developing.

1m

Uterine lining is thickening.

1m

ii

Uterine lining remains thick.

1m

iii

Uterine lining breaks down.

1m

1m @ x 4

d
Hormone
A

Change in hormone level

Low / goes / stays down

One effect of change in level

No more follicles develop.

OR
Inhibited
B

Low / goes / stays down

No more follicles develop.

OR
Inhibited
C

Rises

LH / FSH is inhibited.
OR
Growth of mammary glands is
promoted.
OR
Inhibition on prolactin is
released.

Rises

LH / FSH is inhibited.
OR
Uterine muscle contraction is
inhibited.
OR
Growth of mammary glands is
promoted.
OR

Inhibition on prolactin is
released.
(1m per pair across)
e

1m x 4

It maintains the yellow body for the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.

1m

11 (a) R Q P (1)
(b) -

oral contraceptive pill contains estrogen and/or progesterone (1) / skin

implantation of progesterone and/or estrogen / injection of progesterone
and/or estrogen
estrogen and/or progesterone inhibit release of FSH (1) and release of LH
(1), follicle will not mature / develop (1) / prevents production of ova

(c) *corpus luteum / * yellow body (1)

function: produce progesterone and/or estrogen to maintain uterine wall
thickening () / vascularity to prepare for pregnancy () / maintain pregnancy
() / support fetus ()

12 (a) (i)

As A increase (.5) in level, this causes a decrease in the levels of C

(.5) and D (.5) Day 15 to 22 (.5) , show similar interaction.
(2)

(ii)

A reaches max. on day 13 (1)

C and D reach max. on day 14 (.5 mark for C, .5 mark for D)
The peak of hormone A occurs before the peak of hormones C and
D (.5) thus high level of A causes a sharp rise in the levels of C and
D (.5).
(3.5)
Event : *ovulation (.5) (*no mark for spelling mistake)

(b)

From day 15 to day 22, hormone B shows an increase while hormones C

(1) and D (1) show a decrease. This inhibits follicular growth (.5) and
ovulation crease (.5), thus no conception can take place.
(3)

(c)

A sharp decline (.5) in the levels / minimum levels of A and B (1) just
before menstruation (.5) .

(d)

(max. 1.5)

Hypothalamic damage probably resulted in a damage of the area

secreting a hormone (1) / releasing factor that initiates / causes the

secretion of C (.5) and D (.5) from the pituitary.
(3)

The woman cannot get / has a very low chance of getting pregnant (1).

Reading to learn (p. 102)

1

Thin and clear mucus is secreted around the time of ovulation.

1m

This indicates that an ovum is more likely to be present in the oviduct for fertilization.1m
Also, sperm can swim through the cervix more easily and survive for a longer time.
2

1m

High level of oestrogen stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete more LH. LH stimulates
ovulation.
1m
It also stimulates the thickening of the uterine lining, which prepares for implantation of
the embryo.
1m

Measure body temperature daily. A sudden rise in body temperature indicates ovulation
is about to occur.
1m