U2: 11- Biology Of Controlling Fertility

Question 1

Which of the sexes is described as being cyclically fertile?

Answer 1

Females

Question 2

How is the fact that males can make sperm throughout the month described?

Answer 2

Continuously fertile

Question 3

Roughly how long does female fertility last per month?

Answer 3

1-2 days after ovulation

Question 4

What two indicators are there in females that they are entering their fertile period?

Answer 4

• temperature rises by about 0.5°C

* cervical mucus thins

Question 5

What hormone allows the body temperature in females to rise by about 0.5°C around about puberty time?

Answer 5

Progesterone

Question 6

Which hormone causes the cervical mucus to thin around ovulation time?

Answer 6

Oestrogen

Question 7

If a female fails to ovulate it may be because they fail to make FSH or LH. What treatment can be given?

Answer 7

Fertility drugs that contain FSH or LH

Question 8

What name is given to the fertility treatment whereby semen is introduced into the female reproductive tract in a means other than sexual intercourse?

Answer 8

Artificial insemenation

Question 9

What name is given to the introduction of semen into the female reproductive tract naturally as a result of sexual intercourse?

Answer 9

Insemenation

Question 10

When would artificial insemenation be used used as a fertility treatment?

Answer 10

• if the man has a low sperm count

* if a sperm donor is being used

Question 11

What name is given to the process by which the fertilisation process occurs in a dish?

Answer 11

IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation)

Question 12

Under which circumstances would IVF be used as a fertility treatment?

Answer 12

If the female has a blockage in the oviduct then the egg and sperm will be unable to meet

Question 13

What screening technique is used to check embryos during IVF for general chromosomal abnormalities?

Answer 13

PGS (Pre-implantation genetic screening)

Question 14

What screening technique is used to check embryos during IVF for known chromosomal abnormalities?

Answer 14

PGD (Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis)

Question 15

During IVF, if a man’s sperm count is low then many of the sperm are defective. What technique can be used during IVF to overcome this?

Answer 15

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

Question 16

What is ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection)?

Answer 16

Technique which involves taking healthy sperm and injecting it directly into an egg being held in a holding tool. It is used during IVF.

Question 17

Name three barrier methods of contraception that physically prevent an egg from meeting a sperm.

Answer 17

• condom
• diaphragm
• cervical cap

Question 18

Name the device inserted into the uterus that is a plastic structure with copper wound round it to irritate the lining of the uterus and prevent an embryo from implanting.

Answer 18

IUD

Question 19

Name the sterilisation procedure in men where the sperm ducts are cut and tied to prevent sperm being released during sexual activity.

Answer 19

Vasectomy

Question 20

What is the equivalent of a vasectomy in females where the oviducts are cut and tied to prevent egg meeting sperm and reaching the uterus?

Answer 20

Tubal ligation

Question 21

Name the two hormones found in the combined pill.

Answer 21

Oestrogen and progesterone

Question 22

How does the combined pill prevent pregnancy?

Answer 22

High levels of oestrogen and progesterone prevent FSH and LH from being released. No egg is matured in the follicle or released during ovulation. Effectively there is no egg to fertilise.

Question 23

Why does a period still happen when taking the combined pill?

Answer 23

A pill is taken for 3 weeks with high levels of oestrogen and progesterone. During the 4th week no pill is taken and the levels fall. This results in menstruation.

Question 24

How is the morning after pill different from the combined pill?

Answer 24

The morning after pill has higher doses of oestrogen and progesterone

Question 25

Up to how many hours after unprotected sex can the morning after pill be taken?

Answer 25

Up to 72 hours later

Question 26

What hormones are contained in the mini pill?

Answer 26

Progesterone only

Question 27

How does the mini pill prevent pregnancy?

Answer 27

The progesterone levels cause the cervical mucus to remain thick at all times to stop sperm being able to reach the egg