Question

What are sex hormones? Why are they named so? State their function.​

Answer 1

$\huge{\underline{\underline{\boxed{\sf{\purple{Answer ࿐}}}}}}$

The hormones which help and control the formation of secondary sexual characters are called sex hormones. They are named so because they control the sexual activities and are secreted by males and females separately.

Functions of sex hormones are given below separately:

• Male sex hormone: It is also called testosterone. It is secreted by testes and causes changes in secondary sexual character of boys like growth of facial hair like moustache, beard, etc. It also stimulates spermatogenesis.

• Female sex hormone: It is also called estrogen. It is secreted by ovaries and controls the secondary sexual characters in females, appearance of mammary glands, etc. It also maintains pregnancy.

Answer 2

Explanation:

Hormones which constitute the secondary sexual characters are called sex hormones. In general, hormones work instantly when they are released into the bloodstream.

Sex hormones are different because they start to work later. They gradually prepare the body for reproduction.

The sex hormones are responsible for the fundamental change in growth & development and stimulate the developments of secondary sexual characters. The testes and the ovaries are the reproductive organs and both are stimulated by the pituitary gland during Puberty. That is why they are called sex hormones.

Functions of Sex Hormones:

In males, the testes produce the male sex hormone testosterone. This hormone helps in the development and maintenance of the primary and secondary sexual characters and production of sperm.

In females, the ovaries secrete oestrogen and progesterone responsible for the primary and secondary sexual characters.