What is estrogen?

Estrogen is primarily recognized as a female sex hormone, playing a crucial role in the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sexual characteristics. It is responsible for the development of breast tissue, the regulation of the menstrual cycle, and influencing various functions in the body such as bone density and fat distribution.

In females, estrogen is produced mainly by the ovaries, and its levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle. While estrogen is found in both males and females, it is predominant in females and is critical for reproductive health. Understanding the specific functions and impacts of estrogen is important in fields such as medicine, biology, and health sciences, as it has implications for fertility, menopause, and hormone-related therapies.

The other choices refer to hormones that serve significantly different roles; male sex hormones are primarily androgens like testosterone, growth hormones regulate growth and metabolism, while stress hormones like cortisol manage the body's response to stress. Therefore, identifying estrogen correctly as a female sex hormone aligns with its primary function and biological significance.