Hormones: puberty, the menstrual cycle and the menopause
I can explain the role of hormones in controlling puberty, the menstrual cycle and the menopause in humans.
Hormones: puberty, the menstrual cycle and the menopause
I can explain the role of hormones in controlling puberty, the menstrual cycle and the menopause in humans.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Hormones are chemicals that are made and secreted by groups of specialised cells called glands.
- Hormones are transported around the body in the blood plasma, and detected by receptors on cells and tissues.
- During puberty, hormones cause maturation of the sex organs and development of secondary sexual characteristics.
- Hormones control the menstrual cycle in adult human females, by causing ovulation and menstruation.
- Decreases in hormone levels in older human females cause the menopause, after which the menstrual cycle stops.
Keywords
Hormone - a chemical messenger secreted by glands and carried in the blood plasma
Gland - a group of specialised cells that secrete hormones
Puberty - the process of physical changes that lead to sexual maturity
Ovulation - the process of an egg being released from an ovary
Menstruation - the process of the uterus lining breaking down
Common misconception
Hormones are only released in the brain and control the mood.
Hormones control many processes in the body and are secreted from many glands. Those involved in puberty and the menstrual cycle have physical effects that may also impact on mood.
To help you plan your year 11 biology lesson on: Hormones: puberty, the menstrual cycle and the menopause, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 biology lesson on: Hormones: puberty, the menstrual cycle and the menopause, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 biology lessons from the Hormones and human reproduction unit, dive into the full secondary biology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of sexual content
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
ovaries
uterus
vagina
are prodced by males in the testes.
are released by females from the ovaries.
Exit quiz
6 Questions
