Hormones are chemical messengers that control organs and processes in the body

Ovulation is the release of an egg cell from an ovary

The ovaries (singular ovary) contain egg cells and release female sex hormones

Egg cells are passed along the fallopian tubes from the ovary to the uterus

Menstruation is when the lining of the uterus breaks down and is passed out through the vagina

The human menstrual cycle

Science

Reproduction and inheritance

Life cycles and reproduction

Puberty in humans and sexual maturity

Gametes and fertilisation in sexual reproduction

Human reproductive organs

Gestation and birth in humans

Healthy pregnancy

Pupils will learn about flower structure, wind and insect pollination, fertilisation, seed and fruit formation and dispersal.

Pupils learned about heredity as the process of organisms passing on genetic material to their offspring during reproduction, and about DNA, genes and chromosomes.

This unit explores human reproduction, covering the structure and function of male and female reproductive systems, the menstrual cycle, gametes, fertilisation, gestation, and birth. It also examines how maternal lifestyle impacts the foetus through the placenta.

Reproduction in humans

Depiction or discussion of nudity (including in historic content).

Depiction or discussion of sex or sexual body parts, including sex education.

Depiction or discussion of sexual content

How long is a typical human female menstrual cycle?

True or false? After the menopause the menstrual cycle starts.

What word describes the release of an egg each month?

Alex: A female menstruates because the lining of the uterus breaks down.

Lucas: The length of the menstrual cycle is always 28 days.

Izzy: Females lose a lot of blood during menstruation.

The uterus lining breaks down and leaves the body.

Ovulation occurs as an egg is released from the ovary.

The uterus lining is maintained to prepare for a fertilised egg.

Put these statements in order to describe the menstrual cycle.

Which part of the female reproductive system releases an egg?

How many egg cells does an ovary release at any one time?

Which part of the female reproductive system does the embryo develop in?

True or false? The ovaries produce hormones.

Used in sexual reproduction and for birthing a baby.

Moves the egg cells from the ovaries to the uterus.

Match the part of the reproductive system to its role.

The human menstrual cycle

Lesson outcome

Content guidance