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GCSE Biology · key term
The main male reproductive hormone; it is produced by the testes and stimulates sperm production.
Used by AQA and OCR
Specification 4.5.3.4 · Paper 2
Revise: Hormones in Puberty and ReproductionFor example, testosterone contributes to changes such as growth of facial and body hair and deepening of the voice. Oestrogen contributes to changes such as breast development. These visible changes are only part of puberty: important changes also occur inside the reproductive system, allowing gametes—sperm or eggs—to be produced or matured.
Specification B3.2c · Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher)
A hormone produced mainly by the testes that supports sperm production and causes some changes at puberty.
Do not confuse gametes with hormones: sperm and eggs are cells, whereas testosterone and oestrogen are chemical messengers carried in the blood.
Distinguish the roles of the four named hormones: FSH matures an egg, oestrogen rebuilds the uterine lining, progesterone maintains it, and testosterone supports sperm production.
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At puberty, testosterone, produced mainly by the testes, helps start sperm production and brings about changes such as a deeper voice. Oestrogen, produced mainly by the ovaries, brings about changes such as breast development and also helps control the menstrual cycle. These hormones are not exclusive to one sex; it is their usual levels and main sites of production that differ.