Task1: Read the following text and answer the questions.
"Women experience the menstrual cycle or period from the onset of puberty until menopause. This cycle determines the fertile time of the month in which women can get pregnant. During those days, fertilization may occur.The cycle averages 28 days and consists of two coordinated cycles:
- Ovarian cycle: During this phase, an egg matures in one of the ovaries and is released into the fallopian tube. The release of the mature egg is called ovulation.
- Uterian cycle: During this cycle, the endometrium of the uterus thickens gradually ahead of a possible pregnancy. If pregnancy doesn’t occur, the endometrium is shed and is eliminated during menstruation."
Questions:
- The ovarian cycle comprise the process of ________ of an egg in the ovaries till its release, what is called _________.
- The uterian cycle comprise the thickening of the uterus _________ in preparation of a possible ________. If it doesn't occur, it will be shed during ___________.
- The _______ cycle averages 28 days and determines the fertile time of women. It consists of the __________ cycle and the __________ cycle.
Task 2: Watch the following video and indicate if the following statements are true or false (T/F).
- The length of the menstrual cycle and its different stages may vary across different woman.
- The length of the menstrual cycle and its different stages may vary from period to period in the same woman.
- All menstrual cycles of a woman last exactly the same.
- There’s only one fertile day per period: the day when ovulation occurs.
- To know when ovulation occurs exactly you simply have to count 14 days from the day when the period started.
- The ovarian cycle takes places in the two ovaries simultaneously.
Task 3: The different levels of sexual hormones varies along the menstrual cycle. Match each hormone with its role. Look up information in internet to help you find the right answers.
- Thickening of the uterus lining Progesterone
- Egg maturation Estrogens
- Preparing the uterus lining in light of a possible implantation Luteinizing hormone (LH)
- Ovulation Follicle stimulating hormone (LSH)
Task 4: Place the stages of the menstrual cycle in the correct order (use the graphic in Task 3 to help you).
A. While the eggs mature, estrogens stimulate the growth of the uterus lining.
B. An increase in FSH secretion activates egg maturation.
C. The corpus luteum secretes progesterone, preparing the uterus lining ahead of the possible implantation of the fertilized egg.
D. Half way through the cycle, LH and FSH hormones induce ovulation and trigger the formation of the corpus luteum
E. Regression of the corpus luteum causes a decline in progesterone secretion, causing in turn the shedding from the uterus.