the 2007 Women in Endocrinology Award.
Lesson Summary
- The functions of the female reproductive system are to produce eggs, secrete estrogen,
and support a baby as it develops before birth. - Female reproductive organs include the vagina, uterus, ovaries, and Fallopian tubes.
- Eggs are female gametes that form in the ovaries and are released into the Fallopian
tubes. - The menstrual cycle is a monthly cycle of changes in the ovaries and uterus. It includes
ovulation and menstruation.
Review Questions
- What are eggs?
- What is the main sex hormone in females?
- List the two major roles of estrogen in females.
- What are the functions of the uterus in female reproduction?
- Describe ovulation.
- Compare and contrast eggs and sperm.
- Explain how an egg develops in an ovary of a mature female.
- Explainwhymenstruationoccursifaspermdoesnotunitewiththeeggthatisreleased
by an ovary. - How do LH and FSH control changes in the ovary during the menstrual cycle?
- Explain why the lining of the uterus breaks down if a sperm doesnot unite with an
egg. What role does progesterone play?
Further Reading / Supplemental Links
CK–12.org, High School Biology, Chapter 40, Lesson 2.
- KatePfeifer.American Medical Association’s Girl’s Guide to Becoming a Teen. Jossey-
Bass, 2006. - Sophie Waters. The Female Reproductive System (Girl’s Health). Rosen Publishing
Group, 2007. - Susan Meredith.What’s Happening to Me?: Girls Edition. Usborne Books, 2006.
- http://www.bcm.edu/mcb/?PMID=7691
- http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/general/body_basics/femalereproductive
system.html - http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec22/ch241/ch241e.html
- http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/12/science/12angi.html