Reproduction
What's puberty
The period in a persons life when they become sexually mature
Hormone
A chemical substance, produced by a gland and carried in the bloodstream which alters the activity of specific target organs
Testosterone
The main male reproductive hormone produced in the testes. It stimulates sperm production and the development of secondary sexual characteristics in males
oestrogen
the main female reproductive hormone produced in the ovaries. It controls the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics
menstrual cycle
the period of time in which an egg develops and is released ready for fertilisation
menstruation
shedding of the lining of the uterus through the vagina
ovulation
release of a mature ovum from the ovaries
progesterone
the hormone that maintains the lining of the uterus
follicle
sacs in the ovaries that contain immature ova
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
The hormone that causes eggs to mature in the ovaries
luteinising hormone (LH)
The hormone that stimulates the release of an egg from the ovary
menopause
the end of your menstrual cycles
fertilization
joining of male gamete with the female gamete
gamete
sex cell
zygote
fertilised gamete
implantation
the process of embedding the zygote into the wall of the uterus
placenta
organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy. It provides oxygen and nutrients to the foetus and removes waste products
umbilical cord
links the placenta to the foetus in the uterus
amniotic fluid
fluid that surrounds and protects the foetus in the uterus