cycles

Question 1

What is the menstrual cycle?

Answer 1

Changes in uterus (endometrium) in sync with ovarian cycle; prepares for embryo implantation

Question 2

What does progesterone do in the first stage of the menstrual cycle?

Answer 2

Thickens endometrium, increases blood vessels and glands

Question 3

What happens after ovulation in the menstrual cycle?

Answer 3

Endometrial glands secrete glycogen-rich mucus

Question 4

What happens if no fertilisation occurs in the menstrual cycle?

Answer 4

Corpus luteum degenerates, progesterone falls, endometrium breaks down

Question 5

What is menstruation?

Answer 5

Blood, mucous secretions and cell debris from uterine lining lost through the vagina. Marks day 1 of cycle

Question 6

What is menarche?

Answer 6

The name given to when menstruation first begins; start of puberty

Question 7

What is menopause?

Answer 7

Gradual end of cycles, usually ages 45–55; ~35 fertile years; ~400 eggs mature

Question 8

Summary of the menstrual cycle?

Answer 8

Prepares uterus for pregnancy; without fertilisation, hormone levels fall and menstruation occurs. Starts at menarche and ceases at menopause

Question 9

What is the ovarian cycle?

Answer 9

A series of events that take place within the ovaries

Question 10

What does the ovarian cycle include?

Answer 10

Egg maturation, ovulation, follicle/corpus luteum development

Question 11

How long is the ovarian cycle?

Answer 11

Variable 20–40 days, average 28

Question 12

How many immature eggs are present at birth?

Answer 12

~400,000 in resting phase, surrounded by primary follicles

Question 13

What happens at puberty in the ovarian cycle?

Answer 13

FSH and LH increase, promoting follicle development

Question 14

What is a primary follicle?

Answer 14

Cells enlarge and divide around egg

Question 15

What is a secondary follicle?

Answer 15

A fluid-filled cavity forms inside the follicle

Question 16

What is a mature follicle also called?

Answer 16

Graafian follicle; bulges at ovary surface

Question 17

What is ovulation?

Answer 17

Mature follicle bursts, oocyte released, swept into uterine tube

Question 18

What does the corpus luteum do?

Answer 18

Secretes oestrogen and progesterone; prepares uterus, inhibits LH and FSH

Question 19

What happens to the corpus luteum if no fertilisation occurs?

Answer 19

Degenerates to corpus albicans (scar)

Question 20

What happens to the corpus luteum if fertilisation occurs?

Answer 20

Maintained by HCG until placenta takes over

Question 21

When do ovarian cycles pause?

Answer 21

During pregnancy and breastfeeding

Question 22

Summary of the ovarian cycle?

Answer 22

Governs egg maturation, ovulation, and corpus luteum function. Controlled by FSH, LH, and HCG, it synchronises with the menstrual cycle to support reproduction

Question 23

What happens during days 1-5 of the menstrual cycle?

Answer 23

Menstruation occurs: shedding of the endometrial lining (blood, mucus, cell debris)

Question 24

What hormone levels are low during menstruation (days 1-5)?

Answer 24

Oestrogen and progesterone

Question 25

Which hormone begins to rise during days 1-5 to stimulate follicles?

Answer 25

FSH

Question 26

What happens during days 6-14 of the menstrual cycle?

Answer 26

Endometrium thickens in preparation for embryo implantation

Question 27

Which hormones cause the endometrium to thicken during days 6-14?

Answer 27

Oestrogen secreted by growing follicles

Question 28

What hormone triggers ovulation on day 14?

Answer 28

LH surge

Question 29

What happens on day 14 of the menstrual cycle?

Answer 29

Ovulation: mature follicle bursts, releasing the egg

Question 30

What happens during days 15-28 of the menstrual cycle if no fertilisation occurs?

Answer 30

Corpus luteum degenerates, progesterone and oestrogen fall, endometrium breaks down

Question 31

Which hormone maintains the thickened endometrium during the luteal phase?

Answer 31

Progesterone

Question 32

What happens in the ovaries during days 1-5 of the ovarian cycle?

Answer 32

Primordial follicles begin to develop into primary follicles

Question 33

Which hormone stimulates follicle development during days 1-5 of the ovarian cycle?

Answer 33

FSH

Question 34

What happens in the ovaries during days 6-14?

Answer 34

Follicles continue to develop, one becomes dominant (Graafian follicle)

Question 35

Which hormone is secreted in increasing amounts during follicle growth?

Answer 35

Oestrogen

Question 36

What event occurs in the ovarian cycle on day 14?

Answer 36

Ovulation: Graafian follicle ruptures, releasing an egg

Question 37

Which hormone surge triggers ovulation?

Answer 37

LH (with a smaller FSH surge)

Question 38

What happens in the ovaries during days 15-28?

Answer 38

Ruptured follicle becomes corpus luteum, secretes progesterone to maintain endometrium

Question 39

What happens to the corpus luteum if no fertilisation occurs?

Answer 39

Degenerates, leading to a drop in progesterone and oestrogen

Question 40

What happens to the corpus luteum if fertilisation occurs?

Answer 40

Maintained by HCG until placenta produces hormones