LESSON PLAN

SUBJECT: Biological Science

TIME DURATION: 40 minutes

CLASS: Forms 4 5 (Grades 10 11)

AGE LEVEL: 15-17 YEARS

SYLLABUS TOPIC: Life Processes Sexual Reproduction

Menstrual Cycle Definiton Properties and Key Features Function Mode of Action

OBJECTIVE(S) TO BE ACHIEVED: (CXC Biology Syllabus page 22, Objective 9.3) Students should be able to:

describe the menstrual cycle: stating its definition. relating it to the organs of the Female Reproductive System. identifying the four hormones involved and their function. using the Menstrual Cycle Wheel. interpreting graphical illustrations of the Female Hormone Levels, Follicle Development in the Ovary and the Uterus Wall.

PREREQUISITES:
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From Syllabus content taught in previous classes, students should have learnt about the:

Female Reproductive System consisting of the organs: 2 ovaries, 2 Fallopian tubes (oviducts), uterus (womb), cervix, vagina. Secondary characteristics of development of the Female Reproductive System occurring during puberty adolescence. Female Reproductive System being used for sexual reproduction. Four hormones associated with the Female Reproductive System: Oestrogen, Progesterone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinising Hormone (LH). Sexual reproduction hormones being linked to the Endocrine System (System responsible for hormone production in the human body). Mechanism by which gametes are brought together (sexual intercourse/artificial insemination), their fusion (fertilization), implantation and the development of the embryo in humans.

CONTENT LESSON NOTES:

The menstrual cycle is a cycle of events that, each month, prepares a woman for possible pregnancy. It is controlled by sex hormones and involves the maturation of an ovum in an ovary, as well as changes in the structure of the uterine lining.

Approximately every 28 days (some persons less, others more), cells in the ovary begin to produce and secrete the hormone oestrogen (N.B. This is the same hormone that regulates the development of the female sex organs and the female secondary sexual characteristics). This circulates in the bloodstream to the uterus, where it causes the lining of the uterus to become thicker. This extra thickness makes implantation possible if fertilisation occurs.

At the same time, an ovum is maturing inside a group of cells called a Graafian follicle in one of the ovaries and about half-way through the month due to an LH surge (Day 14 of the cycle to be precise) the mature ovum is released into one of the Fallopian tubes. This is called ovulation.

CONTENT LESSON NOTES (Contd):

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The remains of the follicle, called the corpus luteum (Latin translation yellow body), begins to secrete the hormone progesterone. This hormone vascularises the newly thickened uterus lining: that is, it causes many blood vessels to develop in it. This is to facilitate implantation of the embryo in to the lining of the superior posterior wall of the uterus should fertilization occur. As a result of this vascularisation, the implanted embryo will be able to receive nutrients immediately from the mothers blood.

If fertilisation and implantation do not occur, the ovary reduces its production of the two hormones, without which the new uterus lining cannot remain in place. It breaks away and is lost through the vagina.

The loss of uterus lining and blood is called menstruation. This normally occurs for about 5 8 days. (N.B. The first day of bleeding is Day 1 of the Menstrual Cycle).

A new follicle starts to develop in the ovary and the cycle begins again. The Menstrual Cycle is therefore made up of the two components Menstruation and Ovulation.

If the ovum is fertilized, the corpus luteum does not degenerate so quickly. It carries on secreting progesterone until the embryo sinks into the uterus wall and a placenta develops. The placenta then takes over the secretion of progesterone and carries on secreting it through pregnancy.

The progesterone maintains the uterus lining so that menstruation does not happen during the pregnancy, as this would mean a miscarriage is occurring. (In the first weeks of pregnancy some spotting of blood is common, but should not continue through out the gestation period).

RESOURCES/MATERIALS:

Projector Screen Laptop Computer(s) with Internet access (for student use)
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Videos Handouts Worksheets

TEACHING APPROACH:

Blended Lecture Discussion Discovery Approach

INTRODUCTION: I am a house made of muscle. I offer temporary boarding and lodging nine months to be precise, sometimes more, other times less. My tenants can vary in size and number, but I am usually accommodating. I am very meticulous and from my teenage anniversary I prepare for any eventual guests on a monthly basis by laying out a lovely red, thick and spongy carpet. However, if no one arrives, I must pickup the carpet, send it out for cleaning. This process lasts about 1 week after which, I must begin the entire process all over again until around my fiftieth anniversary when I call it quits! WHO AM I? (Answer the uterus)

PRESENTATION

Students are to be reminded of what they have learnt so far about the Female Reproductive System, the Female Sexual Hormones and Sexual Reproduction. Students are now to build on the previous concept by adding to their knowledge the concept of the Menstrual Cycle. Using the internet video, power point presentation and flowchart links students are to be able to explain the term Menstruation and differentiate it from the Menstrual Cycle. students are to be able to explain how the four female sex hormones function in reproduction: FSH, Oestrogen, LH and Progesterone. Students are to be able to recognize and explain the graphical representations for the Menstrual Cycle: the Menstrual Wheel and the Hormone, Follicle Development and Uterine Wall Lining Chart. Conclude the lesson by reviewing the key words taught by employing the questionanswer technique while referring students to the internet link for the key words and their definitions.

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Evaluate whether students have grasped concepts taught by using one of the short online exercises found on one of the internet links identified. Give follow up activity/homework from one the internet resource links provided. CONSOLIDATION OF MATERIAL TAUGHT / REVIEW Through a question and answer session using an internet link provided to the students, review the key words:

puberty ejaculate spermatocyte (sperm cell/male gamete) ovum (egg cell/female gamete) plural ova ovary ovulation fallopian tubes uterus cervix vagina fertilisation implantation zygote embryo hormone FSH LH oestrogen progesterone Menstrual Cycle menstruation

Internet link access for keywords and definitions on the topic of Menstruation:

http://www.schoolsnet.com/pls/hot_school/sn_lessons.page_pls_lesson_detail?x=1618 0339&p_lesson_id=33&p_res_type_id=11

CONCLUSION

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As you may have observed, the enigma of the Menstrual Cycle is very much overrated. While it is extremely valuable in that it fulfills one of the eight characteristics of living things reproduction, it is also very simple to understand and teach as long as one follows some simple rules:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.

The average cycle is approximately 28 days, with some females having shorter or longer cycles. Day 1 of the cycle (no matter the individual) is the first day of bleeding. Bleeding lasts from 5 8 days. Four female hormones are involved: Oestrogen, Progesterone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinising Hormone (LH). LH surge responsible for ovulation where a mature ovum called the Graafian Follicle is released from the ovary. Ovulation always takes place on Day 14 of the cycle no matter how long or short the cycle is. Therefore the first half of the cycle (first 14 days) is identical in all women no matter how long or short their cycle is, with the variation taking place during the other half of the cycle. The lining of the uterus is thickened by the presence of the hormone oestrogen. FSH causes the Graafian Follicle to develop. LH surge causes ovulation (release of Graafian Follicle) Progesterone released by the corpus luteum vascularises the uterine lining in preparation for implantation of the embryo. Progesterone secretion by the corpus luteum continues until the placenta if formed and takes over if fertilisation and implantation takes place. If no pregnancy, corpus luteum degenerates, progesterone secretion ceases and the integrity of the uterine wall lining is compromised. The lining is then shed and lost during menstruation with some blood. The cycle begins all over again.

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Flow Chart of the Menstrual Cycle

EVALUATION EXERCISE Students will be assessed based on their correct response given on concept.
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Students will answer the following question. The diagram below shows the events in a menstrual cycle that lasts for 28 days.

If a girl has a 28 day cycle and today ___________ (todays date) is the first day of her period, write down the dates for the following events. The days during which the uterus lining (which has broken down) is discharged from the body. b. The days during which the uterus wall grows thick and spongy c. The period during which a ripe egg is likely to be released from the ovary into the oviduct.
a.

The following internet links provide access to worksheets and online quiz questions that can be used for evaluation purposes:

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http://www.teachingsexualhealth.ca/media/lessons/5_AnatomyPhysiologyHO_JourneyOfO vum.pdf http://www.schoolsnet.com/pls/hot_school/sn_lessons.page_pls_lesson_detail?x=16180339& p_lesson_id=33&p_res_type_id=9

FOLLOW UP ACTIVITY Students will do the following exercise for homework.

1.

a.

(i) Use each of the arrows given below, to identify on the graph in Figure 4, any time during the month, when the events they indicate could take place.

pregnancy the lining of the uterus is repaired the corpus luteum shrinks (3 marks) (ii) Name the hormone Q on the graph in Figure 4 AND state ONE of its functions. (2 marks)

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b.

(i) Add a line to the graph in Figure 4, to show how the level of hormone R would change, if fertilization takes place. (1 mark)

(ii) Explain briefly, what happens to the zygote after fertilization. (3 marks)

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