Explain how the hormones oestrogen and progesterone control the menstrual cycle.

Eduqas GCSE Biology — 4.2 Hormonal coordination and control in humans · Explain · 4 marks · View as Markdown

Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).

Model answer (4 marks)

Oestrogen, produced by the developing follicle, stimulates the endometrium to thicken and rebuild in the follicular phase.
Progesterone, secreted by the corpus luteum after ovulation, maintains the thickened endometrium and prepares it for implantation.
If fertilisation does not occur, the corpus luteum degenerates and progesterone falls.
The drop in progesterone causes the endometrium to break down, leading to menstruation.

Examiner tips

Use the hormone names and their specific actions on the uterus lining; link oestrogen to thickening and progesterone to maintenance.
Show the sequence: oestrogen → thickening, progesterone → maintenance, fall in progesterone → breakdown and menstruation.
Mention the follicular and luteal phases to demonstrate understanding of the cycle stages.

Common mistakes

Confusing oestrogen with progesterone in the luteal phase; or vice versa.
Omitting the fall in progesterone as the trigger for menstruation.
Using vague terms like "growth" instead of "thickening" or "repair".

Mark scheme (4 marks)

Oestrogen causes the uterus lining to thicken / repair / rebuild
Progesterone maintains the uterus lining / keeps it thick
If the egg is not fertilised, progesterone levels fall
The uterus lining breaks down and menstruation occurs

Key terms in this question

oestrogen · progesterone · menstrual cycle

More Hormonal coordination and control in humans questions

▶ Try answering this question with AI marking (free) →