Final answer:
After ovulation, the hormone progesterone, produced by the corpus luteum, is responsible for thickening the endometrium in preparation for a potential pregnancy. Hence, option (b) is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
Progesterone plays several crucial roles in the female reproductive system, particularly during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
After ovulation, increasing amounts of progesterone cause the endometrium to start to thicken. Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum, which is formed in the ovary after a follicle has released its egg during ovulation. This hormone works in conjunction with estrogen, also produced by the ovaries, to prepare the endometrium for the potential implantation of an embryo.
progesterone plays a crucial role in creating a favorable environment for implantation and supporting early pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, the decline in progesterone levels triggers the shedding of the uterine lining, leading to menstruation.