Chapter 02

Human Reproduction
I Very Short Answer Type Questions [2Mark]

Q.1. List the following events observed in human

reproduction in chronological order. Fertilization,

gametogenesis, insemination, gestation,

parturition, implantation.

A.1. Following is the sequence of events occurring in

the process of human reproduction:

1.​Gametogenesis
2.​Insemination
3.​Fertilization
4.​Implantation
5.​Gestation
6.​Parturition
Q.2. Fill in the missing boxes exhibiting the route of

sperm transport.​

A.2. Following is the pathway followed by a sperm.​

Q.3. State the significance of the cervix in the female

reproductive system.

A.3. The cervix is a narrow opening through which

the uterus opens up to the vagina. The cervical canal

is the cavity of the cervix which alongside the vagina

goes on to form the birth canal.

Q.4. What is the reason for the absence of menstrual

cycles during conception or pregnancy?

A.4. During pregnancy, all the events of the menstrual

cycle stop and there is no menstruation. Menstruation

occurs only when the egg that is released is not

fertilized. But in pregnancy, the released egg is

fertilized and hence the uterus lining does not shed,

instead nourishes the fetus. However, a woman may

experience uterine bleeding during pregnancy due to

various reasons. It is not due to the period.

Q.5. Fill up the missing data in the table where

Column A shows female reproductive organs and

Column B shows its respective functions.

Column A Column B

(Organs) (Corresponding Functions)

Ovaries Ovulation

Oviduct

Pregnancy

Vagina Birth

A.5. Following are the female reproductive organs and

their associated functions.

Column A Column B

(Organs) (Corresponding Functions)

Ovaries Ovulation

Oviduct Fertilization

Uterus Pregnancy

Vagina Birth

Q.6. Name the hormone crucial in parturition. Does

the parturition signal originate from the mother or

the fetus?

A.6. The hormone is Oxytocin. The signal originates

from the placenta and fully developed fetus which

initiate the foetal ejection reflex triggering the release

of the hormone, oxytocin.

Q.7. State the role of the epididymis in male fertility.

A.7. It is situated along the posterior surface of each

testis where spermatozoa acquire motility and the

capacity to fertilize the egg. The surface of the sperm

is altered in response to secretions of the epididymis,

which is key to achieve the ability to fertilize an egg.

Q.8. List the names of the hormones, endocrine

glands along with functions of the hormones that

are crucial in causing spermatogenesis.

A.8. The table below provides the required data:

Name of the Endocrine Functions of the

hormone glands hormone
where the
 hormone is
released

Gonadotropi Hypothalam Increase in secretion

n-releasing us of GnRH initiates
hormone(Gn spermatogenesis at
RH) puberty age After
acting on the anterior
pituitary gland –
triggers the secretion
of LH and FSH

Luteinising Anterior Triggers the

hormone(LH pituitary production and
) gland secretion of androgens
Follicle Pituitary Acts on Sertoli cells
Stimulating gland and stimulates the
Hormone secretion
(FSH)

Q.9. Fill in the missing boxes for the levels in the

transformation of mother germ cells into a mature

follicle.​

A.9. The various steps in the formation of the mature

follicle are as follows:​

Q.10. What are the events that cause the

chromosome number of gametes to go from 2n, n,

and again back to 2n during reproduction?

A.10. Chromosomes replicate once but divide twice.

They undergo mitosis, first meiotic cell division and

second meiotic cell division, the outcome of which is

n number of chromosomes. They fuse with the

haploid(n) sex gamete of the opposite sex to form a

diploid(2n) cell during reproduction.

Q.11. How is a primary oocyte different from a

secondary oocyte?

A.11. The primary oocyte is a diploid cell whereas the

secondary oocyte is a haploid cell. The primary oocyte

is formed when oogonia are at the prophase-I of the

meiotic division in the foetal ovary whereas

secondary oocyte is formed from primary oocyte

after meiosis – I division to produce ova in females

during the stage of puberty.

Q.12. State the role of the ampullary-isthmic junction

in the female reproductive tract.

A.12. In the ampullary-isthmic junction, fertilization

of the ovum takes place.

Q.13. How is polyspermy checked by the zona

pellucida of the ovum?

A.13. The zona pellucida is a thick layer that is girdled

by corona radiata cells. During fertilization, cortical

granules are released from the egg which blocks

fusing of multiple sperms with an egg.

Q.14. What is the significance of LH surge through

the menstrual cycle?

A.14. It triggers the rupture of the Graafian follicle and

causes the release of the ovum in the fallopian tube.

Q.15. During which stage of cell division are

spermatids formed from the secondary

spermatocytes?

A.15. The second meiotic division.

II Short Answer Type Questions [3Mark]

Q.1. State the significance of the following stages

during the lifetime of a female.

1.​Menarche
2.​Menopause

A.1. The first menstruation or onset of menstruation

at puberty is referred to as menarche. It indicates the

attainment of sexual maturity and the

commencement of the fertile period. Menstruation

cycle is the cycle of events from one up till the next

menstruation and is repeated for about 28 days on an

average wherein one ovum is released. Menopause, on

the other hand, is when the menstruation cycle comes

to a halt, indicating the end of the fertile period as the

process of ovulation stops. Cyclic menstruation

denotes a regular reproductive phase stretching from

menarche to menopause.

Q.2.

a. How many spermatozoa does one secondary

spermatocyte produce?

b. Where in zygote does the first cleavage division

occur?​

A.2. a. The secondary spermatocytes undergo meiotic

division – II to generate four haploid spermatids

which through the process of spermiogenesis are

transformed into spermatozoa.

A.2. b. Cleavage occurs within the fallopian tube and

is holoblastic, dividing the zygote completely into

blastomeres. The first cleavage divides the zygote

longitudinally into two blastomeres wherein one is

slightly larger than the other.

Q.3. Why does corpus luteum stay active throughout

pregnancy and in the absence of fertilization, is

active only for 10-12 days?​

A.3. During the luteal phase, the leftover parts of the

Graafian follicle transform into the corpus luteum. It

discharges large quantities of progesterone hormone

which is required for the maintenance of the

endometrium. The endometrium is important for

implantation of the fertilized egg and various other

stages of pregnancy. Hence, corpus luteum has a long

life in pregnancy. In the absence of fertilization,

upholding of the corpus luteum is not required and

thus it declines within 10-12 days, which causes the

lining of the endometrium to menstruate and hence

the onset of the new menstrual cycle.

Q.4. What is a foetal ejection reflex? How does it

cause parturition?

A.4. Foetal ejection reflex is the mild uterine

contractions that arise from the parturition signals

from the fully developed fetus and the placenta. This

reflex stimulates the release of oxytocin, which causes

uterine contractions, in turn, stimulating the

increased secretion of oxytocin. This action of uterine

contractions and oxytocin secretion further results in

stronger contractions leading to the dilation and

hence expulsion of the baby out of the uterus through

the cervical canal, expelling placenta along, thus the

parturition or childbirth.

Q.5. What are the functions of placenta other than its

endocrine function?

A.5. The placenta promotes the supply of nutrients

and oxygen to the embryo. It also facilitates the

elimination of excretory wastes and carbon dioxide

produced by the embryo. Placenta aids in the

transportation of substances to and from the embryo

as it is connected to the embryo through the umbilical

cord.
Q.6. Why is breastfeeding recommended during the

initial stages of infant growth?

A.6. The mammary glands in females start producing

milk towards the end of pregnancy through the

process of lactation which helps the mother feed the

newborn. Colostrum is the milk produced during the

initial few days. Colostrum contains antibodies which

are crucial in developing resistance in the newborns,

hence it is recommended by doctors to bring up a

healthy baby.

Q.7. What are the different stages of the follicular

phase of the menstrual cycle taking place in the

ovary and uterus?

A.7. In this phase, primary follicles transform into the

fully mature Graafian follicle in the ovary. The

endometrium of the uterus simultaneously

regenerates through proliferation. Changes in the

levels of ovarian and pituitary hormones induce

changes in the uterus and ovaries. During this stage,

the secretion of FSH and LH eventually increases and

triggers the secretion and follicular development of

estrogen by the growing follicles. In the middle of the

cycle, both LH and FSH reach the peak level. This

speedy secretion of LH at the maximum level during

the mid-cycle causes rupture of the Graafian follicle

and hence ovulation.

Q.8. Mention the names of the hormones

responsible for ovarian changes during the

menstrual cycle in the boxes provided.​

A.8. Hormones responsible for the various stages of

the menstrual cycle are:​

​
Q.9. Draw a schematic diagram depicting oogenesis.

(Label without description)​

A.9.​

Q.10. Mention the changes taking place during the

transition of a primary follicle to Graafian follicle in

the oogonia.
A.10. Oogonia or the gamete mother cells are formed

within each fetal ovary. No more oogonia are formed

after birth. They enter into the prophase-I stage of

meiotic division when they start cell division to

approach the primary oocyte stage. These primary

oocytes are girdled by a layer of granulosa cells to

form the primary follicle which degenerates during

the stages of birth to puberty. The primary follicles

are encircled by more layers of granulosa cells and a

new theca known as secondary follicles. The theca is

subdivided into other theca externa and an inner theca

interna which secretes estrogen. The secondary

follicle is then transformed into a tertiary follicle

characterized by antrum, which is a fluid-filled cavity.

At this phase, the primary oocyte grows in size inside

the tertiary follicle to complete the first meiotic

division. The tertiary follicle finally transitions to

form the Graafian follicle.

Q.10. Define Parturition.

A.10. Parturition refers to a process of delivering a

baby from the uterus to the vagina to the outside

world. There are three stages of Parturition:

1.​Dilation.
2.​Expulsion.
3.​Placental.

Q.11. Define Fertilization.

A.11. Fertilization refers to the biological process of

fusion of male and female gametes resulting in the

formation of a zygote. In humans, the fertilization

process takes place in the fallopian tube.

Q.12. Write the main functions of each testis and

ovary?

A.12. Testis also called the Testicles. It is a pair of

oval-shaped organs masked in a pouch called the

scrotum. They are responsible for the production of

sperms and the male hormone testosterone.

The ovary is a ductless reproductive gland, which

functions by producing a female sex hormone called

estrogen and also involved in producing and storing

the ovum or the egg cell.