Fertilisation

Question 1

What is the male sex cell called?

Answer 1

Sperm

Question 2

How is the sperm cell specialised for its function?

Answer 2

Sperm carry half the genetic material of the father. Sperm have a flagellum (tail) for swimming to the egg for fertilisation.

Question 3

What is the female sex cell called?

Answer 3

Egg or Ovum or Ovule

Question 4

How is the egg/ovum specialised for its function?

Answer 4

The egg contains half the genetic material of the mother. It contains a large food store for providing the zygote with nutrients.

Question 5

What is fertilisation?

Answer 5

Fertilisation is when the sperm meets the egg and the DNA from the egg and sperm combine in the egg.

Question 6

What is the egg/ovum called after its been fertilised?

Answer 6

Zygote

Question 7

What is the zygote called after it divides into multiple cells?

Answer 7

Embryo

Question 8

What is the embryo called after it has begun to develop organs and other structures (after around 8 weeks)?

Answer 8

Fetus

Question 9

How long is the human gestation period?

In other words, how long does human pregnancy last?

Answer 9

Approximately 9 months.

Question 10

Where does fertilisation occur?

Answer 10

Fertilisation occurs in the oviduct/Fallopian tube.

Question 11

Where does the embryo develop?

Answer 11

The embryo develops in the uterus/womb?

Question 12

What genetic condition occurs when someone has an extra chromosome 21?

Answer 12

One of the causes of Down’s Syndrome is an extra copy of chromosome 21.

Question 13

What chromosomes determine the sex of the baby?
What chromosomes to females have?
What chromosomes do males have?

Answer 13

The sex chromosomes determine the sex of the baby.

Females have 2 X chromosomes.

Males have an X and a Y chromosome.

Question 14

Does the mother’s DNA or the father’s DNA determine the sex of the baby?

Answer 14

The father’s DNA determines the sex of the baby.

The zygote always receives an X chromosome from the mother and receives either an X or a Y from the father.

Question 15

What is a saviour sibling?

Answer 15

A saviour sibling is a child who is born to provide an organ or cell transplant to a sibling that is affected with a fatal disease.

Question 16

Name 3 things a mother could do to ensure a healthy pregnancy.

Answer 16

Any 3 of the below:
Do not drink alcohol.
Do not smoke.
Do not take drugs or medication without consulting a doctor.
Do not eat unpasteurised dairy products.
Ensure a healthy diet.
Do not eat shellfish.
Ensure all meat and animal products are well cooked.
Continue gentle exercise.

Question 17

Where is sperm produced?

Answer 17

Sperm is produced in the testes.

Question 18

Where are egg cells/ovums produced?

Answer 18

Egg cells are produced in the ovaries.

Question 19

What joins the foetus to the placenta?

Answer 19

The umbilical cord joins the foetus to the placenta.

Question 20

What is the purpose of the placenta?

Answer 20

The placenta provides the fetus with food and oxygen.

Question 21

What is the purpose of the amniotic fluid?

Answer 21

The amniotic fluid protects the foetus from bumps.