Hormonal coordination in humans key terms

deamination

The process in the liver where the amino group is removed from excess amino acids, resulting in the production of ammonia.

ammonia

A toxic substance produced during deamination that must be converted into urea for safe excretion from the body.

ammonia

A toxic compound produced from the breakdown of proteins that must be converted into urea for safe excretion.

urea

A less toxic compound formed from ammonia in the liver, which is excreted from the body through urine.

kidney function

The process by which the kidneys filter blood to remove waste products and excess substances, followed by the selective reabsorption of useful substances back into the bloodstream.

selective reabsorption

The process in the kidneys where certain substances, such as glucose and ions, are reabsorbed from the filtrate back into the blood, ensuring that essential nutrients are retained.

kidney structure

The physical anatomy of the kidneys, which is not required for students to know in detail.

nephron structure

The detailed anatomy of nephrons, the functional units of the kidney, which students are not required to know in detail.

urea

A waste product formed in the liver from the breakdown of proteins, which is excreted in urine.

urine

In Maintaining water and nitrogen balance in the body (biology only), urine means a liquid waste product produced by the kidneys that contains water, urea, and various ions. This matters in Hormonal coordination in humans because it supports the learning objective to interpret data comparing concentrations of glucose, ions and urea in blood, filtrate and urine. Use urine only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

ADH

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is a hormone that regulates water balance in the body by controlling the permeability of kidney tubules.

permeability

Permeability refers to the ability of kidney tubules to allow water to pass through, which is influenced by the presence of ADH.

ADH

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is a hormone that helps regulate water balance in the body by controlling the permeability of kidney tubules.

negative feedback

Negative feedback is a control mechanism in which a change in a physiological variable triggers responses that counteract the initial change, helping to maintain homeostasis.

kidney dialysis

A medical treatment that removes urea and balances ions from the blood for individuals with kidney failure.

urea

A waste product formed from the breakdown of proteins, which is removed from the blood during kidney dialysis.

kidney dialysis

A medical treatment that removes waste products, excess water, and balances ions in patients with kidney failure.

kidney transplant

A surgical procedure to replace a failing kidney with a healthy kidney from a donor.

testosterone

The main male reproductive hormone produced by the testes, responsible for the development of male secondary sexual characteristics and the stimulation of sperm production.

testes

In Hormones in human reproduction, testes means the male reproductive organs that produce sperm and secrete testosterone. This matters in Hormonal coordination in humans because it supports the learning objective to describe testosterone as the main male reproductive hormone produced by the testes. Use testes only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

testosterone

The main male reproductive hormone produced by the testes, responsible for stimulating sperm production and controlling male secondary sexual characteristics at puberty.

puberty

The developmental stage during which individuals experience physical changes, including the maturation of reproductive organs and the development of secondary sexual characteristics, influenced by hormones such as testosterone.

Oestrogen

The main female reproductive hormone produced by the ovaries, involved in regulating the menstrual cycle and controlling female secondary sexual characteristics.

Menstrual cycle

The monthly series of changes in hormone levels and physiological processes in females, regulated by hormones such as oestrogen.

Oestrogen

A hormone produced by the ovaries that controls female secondary sexual characteristics during puberty and plays a key role in the menstrual cycle.

Menstrual cycle

The monthly cycle in females that involves the preparation of the uterus for potential pregnancy, regulated by hormones including oestrogen.

FSH

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates the maturation of eggs in the ovaries.

ovary

An ovary is a female reproductive organ that produces eggs and hormones, including oestrogen and progesterone.

LH

Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that triggers ovulation in females.

ovulation

Ovulation is the process in which a mature egg is released from the ovary, typically occurring mid-cycle in the menstrual cycle.