Class 12 Biology Chapter 4 Question Answer | Reproductive Health | English Medium

Class 12 Biology Chapter 4 Question Answer | Reproductive Health | English Medium | ASSEB

Chapter 4 — Reproductive Health

Welcome to HSLC Guru! In this comprehensive guide for ASSEB Class 12 Biology Chapter 4 — Reproductive Health, we explore the meaning of reproductive health, the Reproductive and Child Health Care (RCH) programme, methods of population stabilisation and birth control, medical termination of pregnancy (MTP), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and the causes and treatment of infertility including assisted reproductive technologies. This chapter is essential for board exam preparation and for understanding the social and medical aspects of human reproduction.

Summary

Meaning of Reproductive Health: According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), reproductive health refers to a total well-being in all aspects of reproduction, namely physical, emotional, behavioural and social. A society with people having physically and functionally normal reproductive organs, normal emotional and behavioural interactions among them in all sex-related aspects, can be considered reproductively healthy. India was one of the first countries in the world to initiate action plans and programmes at the national level to attain total reproductive health as a social goal. These programmes were initiated in 1951 under the name Family Planning, and were later expanded and renamed as Reproductive and Child Health Care (RCH) programmes.

Problems and Strategies — RCH Programme: The major tasks of the RCH programme are creating awareness among people about various reproduction related aspects and providing facilities and support for building up a reproductively healthy society. Audio-visual and print media, governmental and non-governmental agencies have major roles in this. Sex education in schools, awareness about reproductive organs, adolescence, safe and hygienic sexual practices, sexually transmitted diseases, etc., should be encouraged. Educating couples and people in reproductive age groups about available birth control options, care of pregnant mothers, post-natal care of mother and child, importance of breast feeding, equal opportunities for the male and the female child, etc., are essential for a reproductively healthy society.

Population Stabilisation and Birth Control: The rapidly increasing global population is a cause of major concern. The Indian population, which was approximately 350 million at the time of our independence, reached close to the billion mark by 2000 and crossed 1 billion in May 2000. Government measures include raising marriageable age (18 years for females and 21 years for males) and incentives for small families. Contraceptive methods include Natural methods (periodic abstinence/rhythm method, coitus interruptus/withdrawal, lactational amenorrhea), Barrier methods (condoms like Nirodh, diaphragms, cervical caps and vaults), Intra Uterine Devices (IUDs — non-medicated like Lippes loop; copper releasing like Cu-T, Cu-7, Multiload 375; hormone releasing like Progestasert, LNG-20), Oral contraceptive pills (combined progestogen-estrogen pills; Saheli is a non-steroidal once-a-week pill developed by CDRI, Lucknow), and Surgical methods/sterilisation (vasectomy in males and tubectomy in females).

MTP, STIs and Infertility: Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) or induced abortion is the intentional or voluntary termination of pregnancy before full term, legalised in India in 1971 with strict conditions to check female foeticide. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) include gonorrhoea, syphilis, AIDS, hepatitis B, genital herpes, chlamydiasis, trichomoniasis and genital warts. Early detection and complete treatment cure most STIs except hepatitis B, AIDS and genital herpes. Infertility refers to the inability to conceive or produce children despite unprotected sexual cohabitation. Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) include IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation — test-tube baby programme) followed by ET (embryo transfer), GIFT (Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer), ZIFT (Zygote Intra Fallopian Transfer), ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) and AI (Artificial Insemination).

1 Mark Questions

Q1. What is reproductive health?

Answer: Reproductive health refers to a total well-being in all aspects of reproduction — physical, emotional, behavioural and social.

Q2. What is the full form of RCH?

Answer: RCH stands for Reproductive and Child Health Care programme.

Q3. What is the legal marriageable age for females and males in India?

Answer: 18 years for females and 21 years for males.

Q4. What is Saheli?

Answer: Saheli is a non-steroidal once-a-week oral contraceptive pill for females developed by CDRI, Lucknow.

Q5. Expand IVF and ZIFT.

Answer: IVF — In Vitro Fertilisation; ZIFT — Zygote Intra Fallopian Transfer.

Q6. Name two copper releasing IUDs.

Answer: Cu-T and Cu-7 (Multiload 375 is also a copper releasing IUD).

Q7. What is MTP?

Answer: Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) is the intentional or voluntary termination of pregnancy before full term.

Q8. Name the bacterium that causes gonorrhoea.

Answer: Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Q9. What is amniocentesis?

Answer: Amniocentesis is a foetal sex determination test based on chromosomal pattern in amniotic fluid surrounding the developing embryo.

Q10. What is lactational amenorrhea?

Answer: It is the absence of menstruation during the period of intense lactation following parturition, used as a natural method of contraception up to six months.

2-3 Marks Questions

Q1. What are the major tasks of the RCH programme?

Answer: The major tasks of the RCH programme are: (i) creating awareness among people about various reproduction related aspects, (ii) providing facilities and support for building up a reproductively healthy society, (iii) sex education in schools, (iv) educating people about birth control options, care of pregnant mothers, post-natal care of mother and child, and importance of breast feeding, and (v) creating awareness about sexually transmitted diseases and equal opportunities for male and female child.

Q2. Differentiate between vasectomy and tubectomy.

Answer: Vasectomy is a sterilisation procedure in males in which a small part of the vas deferens is cut or tied up through a small incision on the scrotum. Tubectomy is a sterilisation procedure in females in which a small part of the fallopian tube is cut or tied up through a small incision in the abdomen or through the vagina. Both are very effective but their reversibility is very poor.

Q3. What are barrier methods of contraception? Give examples.

Answer: In barrier methods, ovum and sperms are prevented from physically meeting with the help of barriers. Examples include condoms (e.g., Nirodh) used by males and females, and diaphragms, cervical caps and vaults made of rubber, used by females. Condoms also protect the user from contracting STIs and AIDS.

Q4. What is GIFT? Mention its principle.

Answer: GIFT (Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer) is a technique of transferring an ovum collected from a donor into the fallopian tube of another female who cannot produce one but can provide a suitable environment for fertilisation and further development. Fertilisation occurs inside the female body in this method.

Q5. What are IUDs? Name their types.

Answer: Intra Uterine Devices (IUDs) are devices inserted by doctors or expert nurses into the uterus through the vagina. Types include: (i) Non-medicated IUDs (e.g., Lippes loop), (ii) Copper releasing IUDs (Cu-T, Cu-7, Multiload 375), and (iii) Hormone releasing IUDs (Progestasert, LNG-20). They increase phagocytosis of sperms within the uterus and suppress sperm motility.

Q6. Why is the use of contraceptives justified?

Answer: Contraceptives are used to check unwanted pregnancies, control population explosion and provide protection against sexually transmitted infections. They allow couples to plan their families and ensure better health for the mother and child.

5-7 Marks Questions

Q1. Describe the various natural methods of contraception.

Answer: Natural methods work on the principle of avoiding the chances of ovum and sperms meeting. The main natural methods are:

Periodic Abstinence (Rhythm Method): Couples avoid coitus from day 10 to 17 of the menstrual cycle, when ovulation is expected. As chances of fertilisation are very high during this period, it is called the fertile period.
Withdrawal or Coitus Interruptus: The male partner withdraws his penis from the vagina just before ejaculation so as to avoid insemination.
Lactational Amenorrhea: Based on the fact that ovulation and therefore the cycle do not occur during the period of intense lactation following parturition. Hence, as long as the mother breast-feeds the child fully, chances of conception are almost nil. This method has been reported to be effective only up to a maximum period of six months following parturition.

These methods have no side effects but their chances of failure are higher.

Q2. Discuss the various sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and their prevention.

Answer: Diseases or infections transmitted through sexual intercourse are called sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or venereal diseases (VD) or reproductive tract infections (RTI). Common STIs include:

Gonorrhoea (caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae)
Syphilis (caused by Treponema pallidum)
Genital herpes (viral)
Chlamydiasis (caused by Chlamydia trachomatis)
Genital warts (viral)
Trichomoniasis (caused by Trichomonas vaginalis)
Hepatitis B (viral)
AIDS (caused by HIV)

Early symptoms include itching, fluid discharge, slight pain, swellings, etc., in the genital region. Hepatitis B, genital herpes and HIV are completely curable in only some cases. Prevention measures: (i) avoid sex with unknown partners/multiple partners, (ii) always use condoms during coitus, (iii) in case of doubt, consult a qualified doctor for early detection and complete treatment.

Q3. What is infertility? Describe assisted reproductive technologies (ART) used to help infertile couples.

Answer: Infertility is the inability to conceive or produce children even after two years of unprotected sexual cohabitation. The reasons could be physical, congenital, diseases, drugs, immunological or psychological. Specialised health care units (infertility clinics) help in the diagnosis and treatment using Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART):

IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation): Fertilisation outside the body in almost similar conditions as that in the body, popularly known as test-tube baby programme. Ova from the wife/donor and sperms from the husband/donor are collected and induced to form zygote in the laboratory.
ZIFT (Zygote Intra Fallopian Transfer): The zygote or early embryo (up to 8 blastomeres) is transferred into the fallopian tube.
IUT (Intra Uterine Transfer): Embryos with more than 8 blastomeres are transferred into the uterus.
GIFT (Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer): Transfer of an ovum collected from a donor into the fallopian tube of another female who cannot produce one.
ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection): Sperm is directly injected into the ovum to form an embryo in the laboratory.
AI (Artificial Insemination): Semen collected either from the husband or a healthy donor is artificially introduced either into the vagina or into the uterus (IUI — Intra Uterine Insemination).

Q4. What is MTP? Discuss its importance and the conditions under which it is recommended.

Answer: Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) or induced abortion is the intentional or voluntary termination of pregnancy before full term. Forty-five to fifty million MTPs are performed in a year all over the world, accounting for 1/5 of total pregnancies. MTP was legalised by the Government of India in 1971 with strict conditions to check the indiscriminate and illegal female foeticides. MTPs are considered relatively safe during the first trimester (up to 12 weeks of pregnancy); second trimester abortions are much more risky. MTP is recommended: (i) to get rid of unwanted pregnancies due to casual unprotected intercourse or failure of contraceptives, (ii) in cases where continuation of pregnancy could be harmful or even fatal to the mother or to the foetus, and (iii) in cases of pregnancies due to rape. Statistics indicate a majority of MTPs are performed illegally by unqualified quacks which are unsafe and could be fatal. Proper counselling and awareness should be promoted to discourage MTPs done for illegal sex-selective purposes.

Q5. Explain various contraceptive methods with examples.

Answer: An ideal contraceptive should be user-friendly, easily available, effective, reversible with no or least side-effects. Contraceptive methods are:

Natural Methods: Periodic abstinence, withdrawal/coitus interruptus, lactational amenorrhea.
Barrier Methods: Condoms (Nirodh), diaphragms, cervical caps, vaults — prevent physical meeting of ovum and sperms.
Intra Uterine Devices (IUDs): Non-medicated (Lippes loop), copper releasing (Cu-T, Cu-7, Multiload 375), hormone releasing (Progestasert, LNG-20). They increase phagocytosis of sperms.
Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCPs): Daily pills containing progestogen alone or progestogen-estrogen combinations (Mala D, Mala N). Saheli is a non-steroidal once-a-week pill developed by CDRI, Lucknow.
Injectables and Implants: Progestogens or progestogen-estrogen combinations administered under the skin or as injections.
Emergency Contraceptives: Administration of progestogens or progestogen-estrogen combinations or IUDs within 72 hours of coitus.
Surgical Methods (Sterilisation): Vasectomy in males (a part of vas deferens is cut/tied) and Tubectomy in females (a part of fallopian tube is cut/tied). Highly effective but with poor reversibility.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Q1. Saheli is a:

(a) Steroidal pill (b) Non-steroidal once-a-week pill (c) IUD (d) Injectable

Answer: (b) Non-steroidal once-a-week pill

Q2. Cu-T and Cu-7 are examples of:

(a) Hormone releasing IUDs (b) Non-medicated IUDs (c) Copper releasing IUDs (d) Barrier methods

Answer: (c) Copper releasing IUDs

Q3. Vasectomy involves the cutting of:

(a) Fallopian tube (b) Vas deferens (c) Ureter (d) Urethra

Answer: (b) Vas deferens

Q4. Which of the following is NOT a sexually transmitted infection?

(a) Gonorrhoea (b) Syphilis (c) Malaria (d) AIDS

Answer: (c) Malaria

Q5. Test-tube baby is the popular name for:

(a) GIFT (b) ZIFT (c) IVF-ET (d) ICSI

Answer: (c) IVF-ET

Q6. The legal marriageable age for males in India is:

(a) 18 years (b) 19 years (c) 20 years (d) 21 years

Answer: (d) 21 years

Q7. RCH stands for:

(a) Reproductive and Child Health Care (b) Rural Child Health (c) Reproductive Cell Health (d) Reproductive Care Hospital

Answer: (a) Reproductive and Child Health Care

Q8. Lactational amenorrhea is effective up to:

(a) 3 months (b) 6 months (c) 9 months (d) 12 months

Answer: (b) 6 months

Q9. ICSI involves:

(a) Sperm injected directly into ovum (b) Zygote transfer to fallopian tube (c) Embryo transfer to uterus (d) Donor ovum transfer

Answer: (a) Sperm injected directly into ovum

Q10. MTP was legalised in India in:

Answer: (b) 1971

Fill in the Blanks

Q1. The contraceptive pill Saheli was developed by ________.

Answer: CDRI, Lucknow

Q2. ________ is the bacterium that causes syphilis.

Answer: Treponema pallidum

Q3. Tubectomy involves cutting/tying of the ________.

Answer: Fallopian tube

Q4. ________ is the popular name of the IVF-ET technique.

Answer: Test-tube baby

Q5. Family Planning programme was initiated in India in the year ________.

Answer: 1951

True or False

Q1. AIDS is caused by HIV.

Answer: True

Q2. Condoms protect the user from contracting STIs.

Answer: True

Q3. The rhythm method requires couples to have intercourse from day 10 to 17 of the menstrual cycle.

Answer: False (couples avoid intercourse during this fertile period)

Q4. GIFT involves fertilisation outside the female body.

Answer: False (fertilisation occurs inside the female body)

Q5. Amniocentesis is being misused for female foeticide.

Answer: True

Glossary

Term	Definition
Reproductive Health	Total well-being in physical, emotional, behavioural and social aspects of reproduction.
RCH Programme	Reproductive and Child Health Care programme initiated by the Government of India.
Contraception	Methods used to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
IUD	Intra Uterine Device — device inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy.
Saheli	Non-steroidal once-a-week oral contraceptive pill developed by CDRI, Lucknow.
Vasectomy	Surgical sterilisation in males involving cutting/tying of vas deferens.
Tubectomy	Surgical sterilisation in females involving cutting/tying of fallopian tube.
MTP	Medical Termination of Pregnancy — voluntary termination of pregnancy before full term.
STI	Sexually Transmitted Infection — disease transmitted through sexual contact.
Amniocentesis	Foetal sex determination test based on chromosomal pattern in amniotic fluid.
Infertility	Inability to conceive or produce children despite unprotected sexual cohabitation.
IVF	In Vitro Fertilisation — fertilisation in the laboratory; basis of test-tube baby.
ZIFT	Zygote Intra Fallopian Transfer — transfer of zygote/early embryo into fallopian tube.
GIFT	Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer — transfer of donor ovum into fallopian tube.
ICSI	Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection — direct injection of sperm into ovum.
AI	Artificial Insemination — introducing semen into vagina/uterus artificially.
Lactational Amenorrhea	Absence of menstruation during intense lactation, used as a contraceptive method.
Coitus Interruptus	Withdrawal method — male withdraws penis before ejaculation.
Gonorrhoea	STI caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Syphilis	STI caused by Treponema pallidum.