IGCSE BIO (Reproduction ) Chapter 16

Lesson 5
Sex hormones in humans
These are responsible for the development of the secondary sexual
characteristics at puberty
Testosterone secreted by the testes causes the change in boy
Estrogen secreted by the ovaries causes the change in girls
Puberty is when the sex organ become mature and start to secrete
hormones and make gametes
Puberty happens usually between the age of ten to fifteen but varies
from person to person
SecondarySexual characteristics in male and female

Male
Voice deepens
Hair starts to grow in chest
Face,under arms and pubic area
Body becomes more muscular
Penis become large
Testes start to produce sperm
Female
Breast growth
Hair develop under arms ,pubic
area
Hips become wider
Uterus and vagina becomes wider
Ovaries start to release egg
and mensuration starts
The menstrual cycle
• The adult female reproductive system undergoes a 28 days cycle of changes except during pregnancy
or during menopause. It is this cycle of changes known as the menstrual cycle.
• Fourteen days after the beginning of the last ministration .The pituitary gland at the base of the brain
secrete follicle stimulating hormone(FSH)and luteinizing hormone or lutropin (LH)which promotes
ovulation.
• Once the ovum has been released the follicle develop into corpus luteum in the ovary and produce
the hormone progesterone which does three things
1. It stimulates the uterus wall to thicken
2. Stimulates uterus wall to develop new blood vessels
3. It stops further ovulation
• In the absence of progesterone the uterus wall partly breaks down.
• About 14 to 18 days after ovulation The disintegrated uterus wall, the dead egg and some blood is
released thru the vagina
• This stage is called menstrual cycle and lasts from 4 to 6 days
• In vitro fertilization it is a method used if the woman has a problem
with blocked oviducts
• A doctor collects the ova produced by FSH and LH treatment
• Some of the ova are fertilized in a petri dish among the male partner
sperm
• The early embryo produced are then inserted into the uterus to
achieve pregnancy
Sexually transmitted infection
• These are diseases passed on during unprotected sexual intercourse
Method of transmission Prevention method
Unprotected sex with infected person Use of condom
Drug needle sharing with infected person
Transfusion of unscreened d blood Screening of blood used for transfusion
From infected mother to fetus Feeding baby with bottled milk if the
mother has HIV
Use of unsterilized surgical equipment's Use of sterilized surgical equipment's
How do HIV affect the immune system
• HIV attacks some type of lymphocytes( WBC) in the blood stream
• Lymphocytes produce antibodies which attack the antigen present in
the invading microbes.
• Some lymphocyte are stored in lymph nodes to provide protection
against future infection.
• HIV prevents this immunity being retained ,so the AIDS sufferer has
no protection against disease such as tuberculosis(TB)and
pneumonia.
Summary Questions
1. Explain the meaning of the following terms
i. Menstruation ii.Ovulation iii Implantation
2. Draw a time line that shows the changes that occur in the ovary and in the uterus during
menstrual cycle
3. Name four hormones involved in coordinating the menstrual cycle and state where they are
secreted?
4. Describe the role of these hormones in Q 3 n controlling the menstrual cycle?
5. Explain the role of the pituitary gland .the testes ,and the ovaries in the development and
regulation of secondary sexual characteristics in male and female at puberty
6List the effect that testosterone has on the body of a boy at puberty?
7. List the effect that estrogen has on the body of a girl at puberty?
8. Explain how artificial insemination can help bring about a pregnancy when the man is infertile?
Cont.

9. What is the difference between AIDS and HIV?

10. State the way in which HIV is transmitted?
11. State the measures that can be taken to reduce the spread of HIV
infection?
12. Describe the effect of HIV on the immune system and explain how
HIV infection leads to the development of AIDS?