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Ovary

Key Stage 3

A diagram showing the ovaries in the Female Reproductive System.

Meaning

The ovary is an organ in the female reproductive system which produces and stores the egg cells.

About the Ovary

There are two ovaries in a female.
The ovaries release one ovum every 28 days.
Each ovary takes a turn to release the ovum each month, but in some female humans both ovaries release an ovum at the same time which can lead to twins.

Key Stage 4

A diagram showing the ovaries in the Female Reproductive System.

Meaning

The ovaries are organs in the female reproductive system and endocrine glands in the endocrine system.

About Ovaries in the Female Reproductive System

The ovaries are where the ova are stored.
During the menstrual cycle follicle stimulating hormone causes a follicle in the ovary grow and a single ovum to mature.
Luteinising Hormone causes the ovum to be released from the follicle.

About Ovaries as Endocrine Glands

Ovaries secrete a hormone called oestrogen.
Oestrogen causes the expression of female characteristics during puberty including the widening of the hips, breast growth and the initiation of the menstrual cycle.

References

AQA

Ovaries, page 182, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy; Biology, CGP, AQA
Ovaries, page 208, GCSE Biology, CGP, AQA
Ovaries, pages 160-161, 168-169, GCSE Biology; Third Edition, Oxford University Press, AQA
Ovaries, pages 61, 63, GCSE Combined Science; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
Ovaries, pages 73, 77, GCSE Biology; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
Ovaries, pages12, 13, 17, 18, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy 2, Hodder, AQA
Ovary, ovaries, pages 191, 208-9, 250, GCSE Biology; Student Book, Collins, AQA
Ovary, ovaries; follicle, page 208-9, GCSE Biology; Student Book, Collins, AQA

Edexcel

Ovaries, page 142, GCSE Biology, Pearson, Edexcel
Ovaries, pages 225, 230, GCSE Biology, CGP, Edexcel
Ovaries, pages 77, 79, GCSE Biology; The Revision Guide, CGP, Edexcel

OCR

Ovaries, page 37, Gateway GCSE Combined Science; The Revision Guide, CGP, OCR