CHAPTER 3

HUMAN REPRODUCTION

MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS

1 Choose the incorrect statement from the following:

a. In birds and mammals internal fertilisation takes place
b. Colostrum contains antibodies and nutrients
c. Polyspermy in mammals is prevented by the chemical changes in the egg surface
d. In the human female implantation occurs almost seven days after fertilisation
2 Identify the correct statement from the following:
a. High levels of estrogen triggers the ovulatory surge.
b. Oogonial cells start to proliferate and give rise to functional ova in regular cycles from puberty onwards.
c. Sperms released from seminiferous tubules are highly motile.
d. Progesterone level is high during the post ovulatory phase of menstrual cycle.
3 Spot the odd one out from the following structures with reference to the male reproductive system:
a. Rete testis
b. Epididymis
c. Vasa efferentia
d. Isthmus
4 Seminal plasma, the fluid part of semen, is contributed by.
i. Seminal vesicle
ii. Prostate gland
iii. Urethra
iv. Bulbourethral gland
(a) i and ii
(b) i, ii and iv
(c) ii, iii and iv
(d) i and iv
5 Spermiation is the process of the release of sperms from:
a. Seminiferous tubules
b. Vas deferens
c. Epididymis
d. Prostate gland
6 Mature Graafian follicle is generally present in the ovary of a healthy human female around:
a. 5−8 day of menstrual cycle
b. 11−17 day of menstrual cycle
c. 18−23 day of menstrual cycle
d. 24−28 day of menstrual cycle
7 Acrosomal reaction of the sperm occurs due to:
a. Its contact with zona pellucida of the ova
b. Reactions within the uterine environment of the female
c. Reactions within the epididymal environment of the male
d. Androgens produced in the uterus
8 Which one of the following is not a male accessory gland?
a. Seminal vesicle
b. Ampulla
 c. Prostate
d. Bulbourethral gland
9 The spermatogonia undergo division to produce sperms by the process of spermatogenesis. Choose the
correct one with reference to above.
a. Spermatogonia have 46 chromosomes and always undergo meiotic cell division
b. Primary spermatocytes divide by mitotic cell division
c. Secondary spermatocytes have 23 chromosomes and undergo second meiotic division
d. Spermatozoa are transformed into spermatids
10 Match between the following representing parts of the sperm and their functions and choose the correct
option.
Column I Column II
A. Head i. Enzymes
B. Middle piece ii. Sperm motility
C. Acrosome iii. Energy
D. Tail iv. Genetic material
options:
a. A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii
b. A-iv, B-iii, C-i, D-ii
c. A-iv, B-i, C-ii, D-iii
d. A-ii, B-i, C-iii, D-iv
11 Which among the following has 23 chromosomes?
a. Spermatogonia
b. Zygote
c. Secondary oöcyte
d. Oögonia
12 Match the following and choose the correct options:
Column I Column II
A. Trophoblast i. Embedding of blastocyst in the endome trium
B. Cleavage ii. Group of cells that would differentiate as embryo
C. Inner cell mass iii. Outer laye of blastocyst attached to the
endometrium
D. Implantation iv. Mitotic division of zygote
Options:
a. A-ii, B-i, C-iii, D-iv
b. A-iii, B-iv, C-ii, D-i
c. A-iii, B-i, C-ii, D-iv
d. A-ii, B-iv, C-iii, D-i
13 Which of the following hormones is not secreted by human placenta?
a. hCG
b. Estrogens
c. Progesterone
d. LH
14 The vas deferens receives duct from the seminal vesicle and opens into urethra as:
a. Epididymis
b. Ejaculatory duct
c. Efferent ductule
d. Ureter
15 Urethral meatus refers to the:
a. Urinogenital duct
b. Opening of vas deferens into urethra
c. External opening of the urinogenital duct
d. Muscles surrounding the urinogenial duct
16 Morula is a developmental stage:
a. Between the zygote and blastocyst
b. Between the blastocyst and gastrula
c. After the implantation
d. Between implantation and parturition
17 The membranous cover of the ovum at ovulation is:
a. Corona radiata
b. Zona radiata
c. Zona pellucida
d. Chorion
18 Identify the odd one from the following:
a. Labia minora
b. Fimbriae
c. Infundibulum
d. Isthmus

VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1 Given below are the events in human reproduction. Write them in correct sequential order.
Insemination, gametogenesis, fertilisation, parturition, gestation, implantation
2 The path of sperm transport is given below. Provide the missing steps in blank boxes.

3 What is the role of cervix in the human female reproductive system?

4 Why are menstrual cycles absent during pregnancy.
5 Female reproductive organs and associated functions are given below in column A and B. Fill the blank
boxes.
6 From where the parturition signals arise-mother or foetus? Mention the main hormone involved in
parturition.
7 What is the significance of epididymis in male fertility?
8 Give the names and functions of the hormones involved in the process of spermatogenesis. Write the names
of the endocrine glands from where they are released.
9 The mother germ cells are transformed into a mature follicle through series of steps. Provide the missing
steps in the blank boxes.

10 During reproduction, the chromosome number (2n) reduces to ha in the gametes and again the original
number ( 2 n ) is restored in offspring, What are the processes through which these events take place?
11 What is the difference between a primary oöcyte and a secondary ooctye ?
12 What is the significance of ampullary-isthmic junction in the fe reproductive tract?
13 How does zona pellucida of ovum help in preventing polyspermy?
14 Mention the importance of LH surge during menstrual cycle.
15 Which type of cell division forms spermatids from the secon spermatocytes?

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1 A human female experiences two major changes, menarche and menopause during her life. Mention the
significance of both the events.
2 a. How many spermatozoa are formed from one secondary spermatocyte?
b. Where does the first cleavage division of zygote take place?
3 Corpus luteum in pregnancy has a long life. However, if fertilisation does not take place, it remains active
only for 10-12 days. Explain.
4 What is foetal ejection reflex? Explain how it leads to parturition?
5 Except endocrine function, what are the other functions of placenta.
6 Why doctors recommend breast feeding during initial period of infant growth?
7 What are the events that take place in the ovary and uterus during follicular phase of the menstrual cycle.
8 Given below is a flow chart showing ovarian changes during menstrual cycle. Fill in the spaces giving the
name of the hormones responsible for the events shown.
9 Give a schematic labelled diagram to represent oögenesis (without descriptions)
10 What are the changes in the oogonia during the transition of a primary follicle to Graafian follicle?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1 What role does pituitary gonadotropins play during follicular and ovulatory phases of menstrual cycle?
Explain the shifts in steroidal secretions.
2 Meiotic division during oogenesis is different from that in spermatogenesis. Explain how and why?
3 The zygote passes through several developmental stages till implantation, Describe each stage briefly with
suitable diagrams.
4 Draw a neat diagram of the female reproductive system and label the parts associated with the following
(a) production of gamete, (b) site of fertilisation (c) site of implantation and, (d) birth canal.
5 With a suitable diagram, describe the organisation of mammary gland.
Answers and Solutions

MCQ

1. c
2. d
3. d
4. b
5. a
6. b
7. a
8. b
9. c
10. b
11. c
12. b
13. d
14. b
15. c
16. a
17. a
18. a

VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. Gametogenesis, Insemination, Fertilisation, Implantation, Gestation, Parturition.

2. Seminiferous tubules → Rete testis → Vasa efferentia → Epididymis → Vas deferens → Ejaculatory
duct → Urethra.
3. Cervix helps in regulating the passage of sperms into the uterus and forms the birth canal to facilitate
parturition.
4. The high levels of progesterone and estrogens during pregnancy suppress the gonadotropins which is required
for the development of new follicles. Therefore, a new cycle cannot be initiated.
5. a: Fertilisation
b: Uterus
6. Parturition signals arise from the foetus. Oxytocin is the main hormone involved in parturition and is released
from the maternal pituitary gland.
7. The epididymis helps the sperm in attaining maturity, acquiring increased motility and fertilising capacity. It
also stroes sperms for a short period before entering the vasa deferns. The epididymis shows peristatic and
segmenting controctions at intervals to push the sperm away from the testis.
8. Spermatogenesis starts at the age of puberty due to significant increase in the secretion of gonadotropin
releasing hormone (GnRH). This is a hypothalamic hormone.
• The increased levels of GnRH then acts at the anterior pituitary gland and stimulates secretion of two
gonadotropins leutinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).
• LH acts at the Leydig cells and stimulates synthesis and secretion of androgens. Androgens, in turn, stimulate
the process of spermatogenesis.
• FSH acts on the Sertoli cells and stimulates secretion of some factors which help in the process of
spermiogenesis.
9. Oogonia  Primary oocyte  Primary follicile  Secondary follicle  tertiary follicle  Mature or Graafian
follicle
10. Halving of chromosomal number takes place during gametogenesis and regaining the 2n number occur as a
result of fertilisation.
11. Primary oocyte is a diploid cell formed in foetal ovary when the gamete mother cell, oogonia is arrested at
prophase-I of meiosis. Secondary oocyte is the haploid cell formed from primary oocyte that completes its first
meiotic division, during puberty and produces the female gamete ova(n)
12. The act of fertilisation takes place in the female genital track that is at the junction of the isthmus and ampulla
(ampullary-isthmic junction) of the Fallopian tube.
Not Fertilisation can only occure if the ovum and sperms are tarnsported simultaneously to the ampullay-
isthmic junction. All copulations do not lead to fertilisation and pregnancy.
13. When a sperm penetrates ovum, it induces changes in the membrane that make the zona pellucida layer
impenetrble to additional sperms. Thus it ensures that only one sperm can fertilies an ovum and stops
polysermy.
14. LH surge is essential for the events leading to ovulation.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

15. Menarche represents the beginning of menstrual cycle which is an indication of attainment of sexual
maturity. Menopause, on the other hand, refers to the cessation of menstruation which inturn means stoppage
of gamete production i.e., it marks the end of reproductive/ fertile life of the female.
16. a. Two
Secondary spermatocyte is the product of the first meiotic division of primary spermatocyte during
spermatogenesis. Two spermatozoa are formed from one secondary spermatocyte by second meiotic division.

b. Fallopian tube
Cleavage refers to the repeated mitotic division that occurs in the zygote resulting in an increasing number
of cells (blastomeres).
3. This is because of a neural signal given by the maternal endometrium to its hypothalamus in presence of a
zygote to sustain the gonadotropin (LH) secretion, so as to maintain the corpus luteum as long as the embryo
remains there. In the absence of a zygote, therefore, the corpus luteum can not be maintained longer.
4. Foetal ejection reflex encompasses the mild uterine contractions in response to the signals that originate from
the fully developed foetus and the placenta. This triggers release of oxytocin from maternal pituitary. Oxytocin
acts on the uterine muscle and causes stronger contractions. which in turn stimulates further secretion of
oxytocin.
The stimulatory reflex between the uterine contraction and oxytocin secretion continues resulting in stronger
and stronger contractions leading to the expulsion of baby out of uterus through birth canal.
5. Placenta is structural and functional unit between embryo (foetus) and maternal body.
Placenta acts as an endocrine tissue and produces several hormones like human Chorionic Gonadotropin
(hCG), human Placental Lactogen (hPL), estrogens, progesterones, etc.
Other than the endocirne function, placenta also facilitates the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the embryo
and removes carbon dioxide and excretory/waste materials produced by the developing faetus.
6. The milk produced during the initial few days of lactation is called colostrum which contains several
antibodies (especially 1gA) essential to develop resistance in the new-born babies against diseases. Breast-
feeding during the initial period of infant growth is recommended by doctors for bringing up a healthy baby.
7. 1. The primary follicle grow and become fully mature graafian follicles.
 2. Secretion of estrogen hormone.
3. Endometrium of uterus regenerates through proliferation.
8 a. FSH and estrogen
b. LH
c. Progesterone
9.

10. The germinal epithelial cells divide repeatedly until many diploid oogonia are formed. The oogonia grow to
form primary oocytes. Each primary oocyte then gets surrounded by a layer of granulosa cells and then called
the primary follicle. The primary follicles get surrounded by more layers of granulosa cells and called
secondary follicles. The secondary follicle soon transforms into a tertiary follicle which is characterized by a
fluid filled cavity called antrum.
The primary oocyte within the tertiary follicle undergoes meiotic division to become a secondary oocyte and a
first polar body (haploid). The tertiary follicle further changes into the mature follicle or Graafian follicle that
ruptures to release the secondary oocyte (ovum) from the ovary by the process called ovulation

Long Answer Questions

11. Menstrual cycle is regulated by hypothalamus through the pituitary gland. At the end of menstrual phase, the
pituitary FSH gradually increases resulting in follicular development within the ovaries. As the follicles mature,
Estrogen secretion increases resulting in a surge in (FSHe and LH) The surge of LH15 responsible for ovulation.
LH also gonadotropins induces luteinisation. This leading to the formation of corpus luteum. Corpus luteum
secretes progesterone and source estrogen which help in maintaining the interine endometrium for
implantation.
12. Unequal cytoplasmic diversion of the oocyte is to ensure the retention of bulk of cytoplasm in one cell, instead
of sharing it with two. It has to provide nourishment for the developing embryo during early stages, so it is
essential to retain as much cytoplasmic materials it could in a single daughter cell.
13. The zygote passes through the following stages till implantations
(i) The embryo with 8-16 blastomeres is called a morula.
(ii) The morula continues to divide and transforms into blastocyst as it moves further into uterus.
(iii) The blastomeres in the blastocyst are arranged into a surface layer called trophblast and a cluster of
interior cells attached to trophoblast are called the inner cell mass.
(iv) The trophoblast layer then gets attached to the endometrium and inner mass cells get differentiated as
embryo.
 (v) After attachment, the uterine cells divide rapidly to cover the blastocyst.
(vi) The blastocyst. becomes embedded in the uterin endometrium. This is called implantation.

14. The female reproductive system consists of a pair of ovaries along with a pair of oviducts. Uterus, cervix, vagina
and the external genitalia located in pelvic region.
These parts are integrated structurally and functionally to support the processes of ovulation, fertilisation,
pregnancy and birth,

(i) Ovary (production of gamete)

(ii) Isthmus-ampullary junction (site of fertilisation)
(iii) Uterine endometrium (site of implantation)
(iv) Cervix and vagina (birth canal)
15.
Internal structure of Mammary glands:

Internal structure of Mammary glands includes the following :

 The glandular tissue of each mammary gland consists of 15 - 20 lobes called mammary lobes.
 Each lobe contains clusters of milk secreting glands called alveoli.
 The milk secreted by the alveoli is stored in the cavities of alveoli.
 The alveoli then opens to mammary lobules.
 Mammary lobules of each lobe join to form a mammary duct.
 Mammary ducts expand near the nipple to form the mammary ampulla (lactiferous sinus).
 From mammary ampulla milk goes to the lactiferous duct.
 Lactiferous ducts carry milk to the exterior during the suckling of the baby
External structure of Mammary glands:
 15 to 20 lactiferous ducts pierce the nipple.
 The pigmented region surrounding the nipple is called areola.
Nipple and areola are the external structures of the mammary gland