Reproductive Health Class 12 Important Questions and

Answers Biology Chapter 4

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Bhagya July 23, 2022

We have given these Class 12 Biology Important Questions Chapter 4 Reproductive

Health to solve different types of questions in the exam. Go through these Class 12
Biology Chapter 4 Important Questions, Reproductive Health Important Questions &
Previous Year Questions to score good marks in the board examination.

Class 12 Biology Chapter 4 Important Questions Reproductive Health

Question 1.
Our government has intentionally imposed strict conditions for MTP in our country.
Justify giving a reason. (Delhi 2017)
Answer:
MTP or induced abortion is the termination of pregnancy due to certain medical
reasons. Government of India legalised MTP in 1971 with strict conditions to avoid its
misuse, i.e. to check indiscriminate and illegal female foeticides.

Question 2.
Name an IUD that you would recommend to promote the cervix hostility to sperms.
(Delhi 2014C)
Answer:
The hormone releasing IUDs, e.g. progestasert and LNG-20 are recommended to
promote the cervix hostility to sperms.

Question 3.
State one reason, why breastfeeding the baby acts as a natural contraceptive for the
mother. (Delhi 2014C)
Answer:
Lactation or Breastfeeding the baby delays the onset or return of menstruation and
ovulation cycle due to interference of hormone prolactin. Therefore, the chances of
conception are nil during this period, i.e. up to six months. Hence, breastfeeding the
baby may act as a natural contraceptive (lactational amenorrhea) for mother. (1)

Question 4.
Mention one positive and one negative application of amniocentesis. (Delhi 2010)
Answer:
Applications of amniocentesis are
 Positive,application It can be used to diagnose any chromosomal abnormality or
genetic disorder in foetus.
Negative application It can be used to determine the sex of foetus and lead to
female foeticide.

Question 5.
Why is tubectomy considered a contraceptive method? (Foreign 2010)
Answer:
In tubectomy, a small part of Fallopian tube or oviduct is cut and tied up to block the
passage of ova from ovary to the site of fertilisation in Fallopian tube. It prevents
fertilisation. So, it is considered as a contraceptive method.

Question 6.
Mention the problems that are taken care of by Reproduction and Child Healthcare
Programme. (All India 2016)
Answer:
Reproduction and Child Healthcare (RCH) programmes cover wide range of
reproduction related areas. They include

Creating awareness among people about various reproduction related aspects.

Support for building up a reproductively healthy society by providing increased
medical facilities, better postnatal care, better detection and cure of diseases like
STDs, etc.

Question 7.
What is amniocentesis? How is it misused? (Delhi 2014C)
Or
Why there is a statutory ban on amniocentesis? Why is this technique so named? (Delhi
2012C)
Or
What is amniocentesis? Why has the government imposed a statutory ban inspite of its
importance in medical field? (Foreign 2010)
Answer:
Amniocentesis is a prenatal diagnostic test. It is named so, because it is based on the
chromosomal pattern of the cells in the amniotic fluid that surrounds the developing
foetus in the womb.
It is misused to detect the sex of pre-born child that leads to female foeticide. Hence,
there is statutory ban on amniocentesis.

Question 8.
What do oral pills contain and how do they act as effective contraceptives? (Delhi
2014C)
Answer:
Oral contraceptives or pills contain either progestogens or progesterone-oestrogen
combinations. They function as contraceptives by

inhibiting ovulation.
inhibiting implantation.
altering the quality of cervical mucus to prevent the motility of sperms in female
reproductive tract.

Question 9.
Why is Cu-T considered a good contraceptive device to space children? (Delhi 2011)
Answer:
Copper-T (Cu-T) is an Intra Uterine Device (IUD) that is inserted by experts and it serves
as an effective contraceptive in the following ways

Increases phagocytosis of sperms within the uterus.

Copper ions released by Cu-T suppress the motility of sperms and their fertilising
ability.

Question 10.
Name an oral pill used as a contraceptive by human females. Explain, how does it
prevent pregnancy? (Delhi 2011)
Or
Why is Saheli a well-accepted contraceptive pill? (Foreign 2010)
Answer:
‘Saheli’ is a non-steroidal contraceptive pill used by females to space children.
Saheli inhibits ovulation and implantation. It alters the quality of cervical mucus to
prevent the entry of sperms into cervix.

Question 11.
Describe the lactational amenorrhea method of birth control. (All India 2011)
Answer:
Lactation amenorrhea refers to the absence of menstruation during the period of
intense lactation following parturition. It is a birth control method because

ovulation and other events of menstrual cycle are stopped at this time.
as long as the mother breastfeeds her child, chances of conception are nil
because of the suppressed gonadotropin activity. However, this method is
generally reliable upto only six months after delivery.

Question 12.
At the time of Independence, the population of India was 350 million, which exploded to
over 1 billion by May 2000.
List any two reasons for this rise in population and any two steps taken by the
government to check this population explosion. (Foreign 2011)
Answer:
Reasons for rise in population include

All-round development in various fields and increased health facilities along with
better living conditions.
Reduced maternal and infant mortality rate.

Two major steps taken by the government to check this population growth are

People are educated and support the idea of small family by using various
contraceptive methods.
There is statutory raising of marriageable age of females to 18 years and of males
to 21 years.

Question 13.
How do copper and hormone releasing IUDs act as contraceptives? Explain. (All India
2010)
Answer:
Copper and hormone releasing IUDs act as contraceptives because:

Copper IUDs (Cu-T, Cu-7) release Cu ions, which suppress sperm motility and the
fertilising capacity of sperms.
Hormone releasing IUDs (progestasert, LNG-20)

(a) inhibit ovulation.

(b) make the cervix unreceptive to sperms.
(c) make the uterus unsuitable for implantation.

(iii) They both increase the phagocytosis of sperms within the uterus.

Question 14.
(i) List any four characteristics of an ideal contraceptive.
(ii) Name two intrauterine contraceptive devices that affect the motility of sperms. (All
India 2016)
Answer:
(i) An ideal contraceptive must have the following four characteristics

It must be safe and user friendly.

It must be easily available.
It must be reversible with little or no side effects.
 It must not interfere with the sexual drive, desire or sexual act of the user.

(ii) Cu-T and Cu-7 are two examples of IUDs that affect the motility of sperms.

Question 15.
Name two hormones that are constituents of contraceptive pills. Why do they have high
and effective contraceptive value? Name a commonly prescribed non-steroidal oral pill.
(All India 2014)
Answer:
The two hormones that are the constituents of oral pills are

progesterone
oestrogen

They inhibit ovulation and fertilisation and also modify the quality of cervical mucus to
prevent or retard the entry of sperms. Hence, they have high and effective contraceptive
value. Saheli is the most commonly prescribed new oral contraceptive pill for females. It
contains a non-steroidal preparation called centchroman. It is once a week pill with few
side effects and high contraceptive value. It was developed by CDRI (Centra! Drug
Research Institute), Lucknow.

Question 16.
If implementation of better techniques and new strategies are required to provide more
efficient care and assistance to people, then why is there a statutory ban on
amniocentesis? Write the use of this technique and give reason to justify the ban. (All
India 2014)
Answer:
Though implementation of better techniques and new strategies is required to provide
more efficient care and assistance to people still, there is a statutory ban on
amniocentesis. Amniocentesis helps to determine any chromosomal abnormalities or
genetic disorders, sex of foetus and foetal infections, etc., by using minute amount of
amniotic fluid surrounding the foetus.

This prenatal diagnostic test is particularly useful for those women who are at increased
risk or have genetic disorders or chromosomal problems. However, this is also misused
to determine the sex of foetus which had ultimately lead to increased female foeticides.
Therefore, government has imposed a statutory ban to prevent its further misuse and to
balance the unequal sex-ratio prevailing in human population. (3)

Question 17.
A woman has certain queries as listed below, before starting with contraceptive pills.
Answer them.
(i) What do contraceptive pills contain and how do they act as contraceptives?
(ii) What schedule should be followed for taking these pills? (Delhi 2014)
Answer:
(i) Refer to Answer No. 8. (2)
(ii) The oral contraceptive pills are to be taken daily for 21 days, preferably within the
first five days of menstrual cycle. After the onset of menstruation cycle, i.e. 5-7 days, the
process is to be repeated in the same pattern (again for 21 days). This schedule is to be
followed till the woman wants to avoid conception. (1)

Question 18.
(i) Name any two copper releasing IUDs.
(ii) Explain, how do they act as effective contraceptives in human females. (All India
2014)
Answer:
(i) The copper releasing IUDs are Cu-T, Cu-7 and multiload.-375.
(ii) Refer to Answer No. 9.

Question 19.
Name and explain the surgical method advised to human males and females as a mean
of birth control. Mention its one advantage and one disadvantage. (Foreign 2014)
Answer:
The surgical or sterilisation methods advised to human males and females as effective
means of birth control are

Vasectomy (In males) A sterilisation method in which a small portion of vas

deferens is removed or tied up through a cut or incision on scrotum, thus blocking
the transport of sperms from the testes to the copulatory organ.
Tubectomy (In females) A sterilisation method in which small part of Fallopian
tube is removed or tied up through incision in abdomen or through vagina. It
blocks the passage of ova from ovary to the site of fertilisation.

The advantage of these two sterilisation methods in both human males and females is
that it is a very effective method for preventing conception as it blocks the transport of
gametes. The disadvantage of this method is that this surgical procedure cannot be
reversed, so it is helpful for only those who already have children and do not want to
extend their family further.

Question 20.
How do ‘implants’ act as an effective method of contraception in human females?
Mention its one advantage over contraceptive pills. (Delhi 2012)
Answer:
Subcutaneous ‘implants’ contain synthetic progesterone and are placed under the skin.
They are an effective contraceptive method as they check ovulation and thicken cervical
mucus to prevent sperm transport.

‘Subcutaneous implants’ are more advantageous than contraceptive pills as they are
long lasting and once implanted, they are effective for up to 5 years.

Question 21.
Your school has been selected by the Department of Education to organise and host an
interschool seminar on ‘Reproductive Health Problems and Practices’. However, many
parents are reluctant to permit their wards to attend it. Their argument is that the topic
is ‘too embarrassing’.
Put forth four arguments with apporpriate reasons and explanation to justify the topic to
be very essential and timely. (All India 2015)
Answer:
Parents should encourage their children to attend such seminar as they will get right
information regarding myths and misconceptions about sex related aspects. Following
are the four points to justify this topic to be essential

Awareness of problems due to uncontrolled population growth, social evils like sex
abuse and sex related crimes, etc., need to be created so that children should think
and take up necessary steps to prevent them and thereby build up a reproductively
healthy society.
Large group of school students comprises of adolescents who have attained
puberty. Therefore, these seminars are necessary to provide medical help and care
for reproduction related problems like menstrual problems, infertility, pregnancy,
delivery, contraception, abortions, etc.
Knowledge about Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) is essential as children
should be aware that unprotected sex with multiple partners results in the
transmission of sex related problems.
Increasing population is a major problem of India which is directly related with
reproductive health. Children should be aware of family planning programmes
such as Reproductive and Child Healthcare (RCH) programmes.

Question 22.
Name any two assisted reproductive technologies that help infertile couples to have
children. (Delhi 2012C)
Answer:
The assisted reproductive technology methods that can help infertile couple to have
children are

Zygote Intra Fallopian Transfer (ZIFT) and

 Artificial Insemination (AI) Technique.

Question 23.
Expand GIFT and ICSI. (All India 2012C)
Answer:
GIFT – Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer.
ICSI – Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection.

Question 24.
After a brief medical examination a healthy couple came to know that both of them are
unable to produce functional gametes and should look for an ‘ART’ (Assisted
Reproductive Technique). Name the ‘ART’ and the procedure involved that you can
suggest to them to help them bear a child. (Delhi 2015)
Answer:
The ART that would help the couple to bear a child is IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) or Test
tube baby programme. In this process, ova from wife/donor female and sperms from
the husband/donor male are collected and fused to form zygote in the laboratory under
same conditions as in the body. This is in vitro fertilisation (fertilisation outside the
body).

Zygote or early embryo is transferred into Fallopian tube or uterus for further
development. This is called Embryo Transfer (ET). It can be Zygote Intra Fallopian
Transfer (ZIFT) or Intra Uterine Transfer (IUT).

Question 25.
An infertile couple is advised to adopt test tube baby programme. Describe two principal
procedures adopted for such technologies. (Delhi 2015)
Or
Explain the Zygote Intra Fallopian
Transfer Technique (ZIFT). How is Intra Uterine Transfer (IUT) Technique different from
it? (All India 2010)
Answer:
ZIFT (Zygote Intra Fallopian Transfer) is the technique in which zygote or early embryo
with up to 8 blastomeres is transferred into the Fallopian tube of female.
On the other hand in IUT, embryo with more than 8 blastomeres is transferred into the
uterus.
These are the two principal procedures adopted for test tube baby programme.

Question 26.
A childless couple has agreed for a test tube baby programme. List only the basic steps
the procedure would involve to conceive the baby. (Delhi 2015C)
Or
(i) Give any two reasons for infertility among young couple.
(ii) Test tube baby programme is a boon to such couples. Explain the steps followed in
the procedure. (All India 2010C)
Answer:
(i) The reasons of infertility in young people can be physical, congenital diseases, use of
drugs, immunological or even psychological factors.
(ii) In test tube programme,
(a) Ova from the wife or a donor female and the sperms from the husband or a donor
male are allowed to fuse under simulated conditions in the laboratory. It is called in vitro
fertilisation.
(b) Embryo is then transferred into the uterus or Fallopian tube for further development.

The process of embryo transfer is done in following ways Zygote or embryo up to 8

blastomeres is 1 transferred into Fallopian tube (ZIFT). Embryo with more than 8
blastomeres is transferred into uterus (IUT).

Question 27.
‘Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)’ and ‘Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer (GIFT)’
are two assisted reproductive technologies. How is one different from the other? All
(India 2014C)
Answer:
In Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer (GIFT), the ovum from a healthy donor female is
transferred to a female, who cannot produce ova. However, she can provide suitable
environment for fertilisation and embryo development (in vivo fertilisation).

In Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), the fertilisation is done in vitro by injecting
sperms directly into the ovum from a donor female, under simulated conditions. The
embryo is thus, formed in laboratory and which is later transferred to the uterus or
Fallopian tube for further development.

Question 28.
Why is ZIFT a boon to childless couples? Explain the procedure. (Delhi 2013C)
Answer:
ZIFT (Zygote Intra Fallopian Transfer) is a boon to childless couples as it helps them to
become parents. In this technique, ova from wife/donor female and sperms from
husband/donor male are fused to form zygote in laboratory. Zygote is allowed to divide
up to 8 blastomeres stage and it is at this stage, a zygote or early embryo is transferred
into the Fallopian tube. Implantation takes place in the uterus where further
development takes place.
Question 29.
State any four methods to overcome infertility in human couples. (Delhi 2011C)
Answer:
Following are the four methods to overcome infertility problems in human couples

Test tube baby programme In this method, the fusion of ovum and sperm is done
outside the body of a woman (in vitro fertilisation) to form zygote which divides to
form embryo. The embryo is then implanted in the uterus where it develops into a
foetus and then into the child.
Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) In this technique, embryo is formed in the
laboratory by directly injecting the sperm into the ovum followed by embryo
transfer.
Artificial Insemination Technique (AIT) Semen (containing sperms) from husband
or donor is artificially introduced into the vagina hr uterus (IUI).
Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer (GIFT) Sperm and unfertilised ova are transferred
into the Fallopian tube of the female and they are allowed to fuse naturally.

Question 30.
A couple where both husband and wife are producing functional gametes, but the wife is
still unable to conceive, is seeking medical aid. Describe any one method that you can
suggest to this couple to become happy parents. (All India 2014)
Answer:
In case, if both husband and wife are producing functional gametes, but wife is not able
to conceive, the IVF technique can be employed to bless them with child.
Method of in vitro fertilisation is given below

Gametes from both husband and wife are collected, i.e. sperm and ova. These are
fused to form zygote under laboratory conditions. As the fertilisation takes place
outside the female body, it is referred to as in vitro fertilisation.
The zygote or embryo is then either transferred to Fallopian tubes (if up to 8
blastomeres), i.e. ZIFT or to the uterus (more than 8 blastomeres), i.e. IUT.

Question 31.
Suggest and explain any three Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) to an infertile
couple. (All India 2013)
Answer:
Refer to Answer No. 3 and 4.

Question 32.
(i) Explain one application of each one of the following (Delhi 2019)
(a) Amniocentesis
(b) Lactational amenorrhea
(c) ZIFT
(ii) Prepare a poster for the school programme depicting the objectives of ‘Reproductive
and Child Healthcare Programme’.
Answer:
(i) (a) Amniocentesis The benefits of amniocentesis include the diagnosis of
chromosomal abnormalities and developmental disorders of foetus.
(b) Lactational amenorrhea It is the absence of menstruation during the period of
intense lactation following parturition. Because ovulation does not occur in this period,
the chances of conception are nill.
(c) ZIFT (Zygote Intra Fallopian Transfer) is related to embryo transfer in the test tube
programme. In this technique, the zygote or embryo up to 8 blastomeres is transferred
into the Fallopian tube.

Question 33.
Reproductive and Child Healthcare (RCH) programmes are currently in operation. One of
the major tasks of these programmes is to create awareness amongst people about the
wide range of reproduction related aspects. As this is important and essential for
building a reproductively healthy society.
(i) ‘Providing sex education in schools is one of the way to meet this goal’. Give four
points in support of your opinion regarding this statement.
(ii) List any two ‘indicators’ that indicate a reproductively healthy society. (Delhi 2016)
Answer:
(i) (a) Introducing sex education in schools is a good step for providing useful
information to the adolescents, so as to discourage them from believing in myths and
misconceptions about sex related issues.