Which hormone contributes to female sex characteristics and is secreted in greater amounts by females?

• A. Estrogen
• B. Progesterone
• C. Testosterone
• D. Adrenaline

Answer: (A)

Estrogen is the hormone most responsible for female secondary sexual characteristics, and it is produced in greater amounts by females. It’s mainly made in the ovaries, with smaller amounts from other tissues. Estrogen drives features such as breast development, widening of the hips, and the regulation of the menstrual cycle by promoting growth of the uterine lining in the first half of the cycle. While estrogen is present in males too, in much smaller amounts, the higher levels in females are what contribute to these female-typical traits. Other hormones have different primary roles: progesterone mainly prepares the uterus for pregnancy, testosterone is the main male sex hormone (though present in smaller amounts in females), and adrenaline is a stress-related hormone not linked to sex characteristics.