Reproduction part 4

Question 1

What is diaphragm?

Answer 1

It is a barrier contraception. It has a dome shaped rubber/silicone cap with elastic rim that is placed over the cervix to cover it.
More effective when used with spermicide. Forms a barrier to prevents sperm from entering the cervix as it can’t pass through the material & thus prevents fertilisation.

Question 2

Is the diaphragm relatively cheap and reusable or not?

Answer 2

The diaphragm is relatively cheap and reusable. Around 2 years

Question 3

Diaphragm has a _____success in preventing pregnancy. What is the percentage?

Answer 3

Moderate success in preventing pregnancy 88 to 94% success in preventing pregnancy

Question 4

What are the disadvantages of the diaphragm?

Answer 4

The diaphragm does not protect against STIs. It needs to be left inside the vagina for at least six hours after sexual intercourse before being removed. It increase risk of bacterial infection.

Question 5

Spermicide is a ______ contraception.

Answer 5

Spermicide is a chemical contraception.

Question 6

Spermicide is in f___,c____,j____,f___ , s______or t_____ forms.

Answer 6

Spermicide is in foam, cream, jelly, film, suppository or tablet forms

Question 7

What is the spermicide for and what does it do?

Answer 7

Spermicide is inserted into the vagina before sexual intercourse. Chemical inactivates or kills sperm, preventing them from meeting the ovum and thus prevents fertilisation.

Question 8

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using spermicide?

Answer 8

Advantages: Relatively cheap
Disadvantages: Very low success in preventing pregnancy (72-82%) Irritates the reproductive organs. Does not protect against STIs and increases risk of to it

Question 9

What is the copper intrauterine device?

Answer 9

It is a small device, made up of “T-shaped” plastic frame with copper wires wound around it, that is inserted into the uterus by health care provider.

Question 10

What are the primary mode of action and the secondary mode of action of the copper intrauterine device?

Answer 10

Primary mode of action: Copper ions are released from the device which inactivates or kills sperm and hence prevents fertilisation.
Secondary mode of action: Device causes inflammation of the endometrium and thus prevents implantation of the embryo.

Question 11

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the copper intrauterine device?

Answer 11

Advantages: Very high success (99%) in preventing pregnancy
Effective for 10 to 12 years
Disadvantages: Relatively expensive (but may be cheaper in the long run)
Does not protect against STIs
Increased bleeding and cramping initially, but lessens over time.
May be dislodged (expulsion)
Increases risk of infections (pelvic inflammatory disease),ectopic pregnancies and sterility.

Question 12

What is the oral contraceptive pill?

Answer 12

It is a hormonal contraception. It contains synthetic hormones and there are two types of pill. One of it is a combination pill (which has both oestrogen and progesterone) while the other pill only has progesterone, and is called the progesterone-only pill. It is to be prescribed by doctor and must be taken daily with two types of combination. Either 21 pills + 7 days of no pills or 21 pills + 7 placebo pills.

Question 13

What is the purpose of having 7 placebo pills for the oral contraceptive pill?

Answer 13

This is to allow woman to form a habit of eating the contraceptive pill and prevent the woman from forgetting the number of days where she had eaten no pills.

Question 14

Why should the woman not be having pills for the 7-day period?

Answer 14

This is because woman will have withdrawal bleeding during the 7-day bleeding (not menstruation)

Question 15

What is the purpose of the oral contraceptive pill?

Answer 15

Synthetic progesterone and oestrogen prevent ovulation.
Synthetic progesterone thickens cervical mucus to prevent sperm from passing through the cervix ands hence prevent fertilisation.
Synthetic progesterone leads to the thinning of the endometrial lining and hence prevents implantation of the embryo.

Question 16

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the oral contraceptive pill?

Answer 16

Advantage: High success in preventing pregnancy. Disadvantages: Has to be taken daily or it will not be effective. Expensive in the long run.
Does not protect against STIs
May cause hormonal side effects.

Question 17

What is vasectomy?

Answer 17

Vasectomy is a surgical contraception. It is a surgical procedure to permanently sterilize the man where the sperm ducts are cut and tied.

Question 18

What will happen after vasectomy is done?

Answer 18

Prevents fertilisation as the man’s ejaculate will not contain sperm. Testes still produce sperm but are unable to pass through the sperm duct to reach the urethra. The male is still able to have an erection and ejaculate.

Question 19

What is tubal ligation?

Answer 19

Tubal ligation is a surgical contraception. It is a surgical procedure to permanently sterilize the woman where the oviducts are cut and tied.

Question 20

What does the tubal ligation do?

Answer 20

It prevents fertilisation as the sperm is unable to travel up to meet the ova, which are prevented from travelling down the oviducts. Ovulation and menstrual cycle still occur normally.

Question 21

What are the advantages and disadvantages of surgical contraception?

Answer 21

Advantage: Very high success in preventing pregnancy.
Disadvantage: Expensive, permanent, does not protect against STIs and possible complications during surgery.

Question 22

The effectiveness percentages indicate the number out of every 100 woman who experienced an _____ pregnancy within the ____ year of typical use of each contraceptive method.

Answer 22

Unintended pregnancy
First year

Question 23

Why would couples choose to use less effective methods?

Answer 23

Cost, Invasiveness of certain methods, religious principles, willpower required for certain methods, certain methods result in reduced enjoyment of sexual intercourse, misconceptions about effectiveness of certain methods and how they work.

Question 24

Male birth control can only prevent ______.

Answer 24

Male birth control can only prevent fertilisation. It can’t prevent ovulation and implantation as it can only be done in the female body.

Question 25

Why do people want to use birth control methods?

Answer 25

People may perhaps not be ready to have a baby financially and emotionally.

Question 26

What is sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?

Answer 26

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections transmitted through sexual intercourse. Person may be infected, but has no signs and symptoms associated with a disease. STIs are spread by all forms of sexual contact, when an infected person’s body fluids (e.g. semen, blood) get in contact with mucosal membrane (those “shiny” and red for e.g. the inner walls of vagina, lining head of penis) through
- All forms of unprotected sex
-Sharing of needles with infected person
-Transmission from infected mother to foetus.
-Blood transfusion from infected person

They are caused by bacteria (e.g. Gonorrhoea and Syphilis), viruses (e.g. HIV, Herpes), fungi (e.g. Canidiasis) and parasites (e.g. Pubic lice)

Question 27

What are antibiotics for?

Answer 27

Antibiotics are for bacteria not for virus such as flu and HIV

Question 28

STIs are generally not transmitted by:
_______ _____
_______ ______
________ _____

Answer 28

Insect bites
Toilet seats
Sharing cutlery
This is because the skin is a natural protective barrier, and unless you have an open wound that get into contact with body fluids.

Question 29

Does HIV have a cure?

Answer 29

No, you can only manage it.

Question 30

What are some symptoms which may be present at syphilis?

Answer 30

Some symptoms which may be present:
—Chancre (Painless sore) appears where bacteria entered (gentials, lips, mouth) (stage 1, 10-90 days)
—Lymph nodes swell around area of infection (stage 1, 10-90 days)
—Non-itchy body rashes, which may develop into infectious lesions (stage 2, 2-6 months)
—Paralysis, blindness, death, heart failure, bone and joint deformity, non cancerous tumour growth over the body (stage 3)

Question 31

Is the treatment of antibiotics for syphilis effective?

Answer 31

Yes, however treatment with antibiotics is effective in the early stages only.

Question 32

Can syphilis be passed from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth?

Answer 32

Yes, it can pass through placenta or childbirth, for e.g. when fluid comes into contact with baby’s eyes, resulting in rashes.

Question 33

What are the negative consequences of syphilis?

Answer 33

Rashes
Smaller and widely spaced teeth and a deformity in the nose of the child.

Question 34

Syphilis is caused by which bacteria?

Answer 34

It Is caused by bacteria, Treponema pallidum.

Question 35

What are the symptoms which may be present due to Gonorrhoea?

Answer 35

-Pus discharge from penis or vagina
-Painful burning sensation during urination for both sexes
-Swelling/pain in testes for men and lower abdominal pain for women.

Question 36

Is the treatment of antibiotics effective for Gonorrhoea?

Answer 36

It is effective if treated with antibiotics early.

Question 37

What is the negative consequence of Gonorrhoea?

Answer 37

If not treated, it may spread to the other reproductive organs, leading to sterility (no longer fertile).

Question 38

Can gonorrhoea pass through the placenta?

Answer 38

No.

Question 39

Can gonorrhoea be passed from mother to child during childbirth?

Answer 39

Yes, it can passed from mother to child during childbirth, resulting in blindness in the child if not treated.

Question 40

What is Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)?

Answer 40

Caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
HIV Infects and kills white blood cells of the body’s immune system that produce antibodies (antibodies are proteins that fight diseases).

Question 41

A person with HIV may show n___ s______ for up to ___ years while their w___ b___ c___ counts are steadily f_____.

Answer 41

A person with HIV may show ho symptoms for up to 10 years while their white blood cell counts are steadily falling.

Question 42

What are some symptoms that may be present for HIV?

Answer 42

-Persistent fever
-Severe diarrhoea lasting for months
-Kaposi’s sarcoma (Cancer that forms in the lining of blood and lymph vessels)
-Pneumonia and widespread tuberculosis affecting many organs simultaneously.
-Swelling of lymph nodes (most often around neck)

Question 43

Can HIV pass through the placenta?

Answer 43

Yes

Question 44

Is there some form of medication to treat AIDS?

Answer 44

No. However, Anti-viral drugs can slow down the progression of AIDS but are unable to cure it.

Question 45

What is HIV known as?
Hint ___virus.

Answer 45

HIV is a retrovirus.
Retro is “go back”.

Question 46

What is one possible reason for the drop in HIV cases?

Answer 46

Increase awareness and medical checkup—> prevent unprotected sex

Question 47

What is one possible reason for the increase in HIV cases?

Answer 47

With the advancement of technology, more people went for checkup and soon realise that they have HIV. Thus, more cases increased for HIV.

Question 48

We can prevent getting infected with STIs and control their spread by…..
-A____ or a_____ u______ s_____(Use c____)
-Avoiding have sex with m_____ p____
-Avoiding sharing i____ that are likely to b____ the skin and become c______ with blood (e.g. r_____ and t____)
-Ensuring that only n_____ that are free from b____ and v___ are used during acupuncture, ear piercing, tattooing and not sharing i___ n____
-Ensuring that d____ b_____ is s_____ for STIs and are s___ to use.

Answer 48

—Abstinence or avoiding unprotected sex (use condoms)
—Avoiding having sex with multiple partners
—Avoiding sharing instruments that are likely to break the skin and become contaminated with blood (e.g. razors and toothbrushes)
—Ensuring that only needles that are free from bacteria and viruses are used during acupuncture, ear piercing. Tattooing and not sharing injection needles.
—Ensuring that donated blood is screened for STIs and are safe to use.

Question 49

A study was conducted on the success rate of different birth control methods in preventing pregnancy.
(i) State two reasons why the rhythm method has a low success rate in preventing pregnancy.
(ii) Other than for financial reasons, explain why vasectomy and tubal ligation may not be suitable for every couple although the success rate of these methods is very high

Answer 49

Any TWO, one each from each of the 4 different categories of answers:

1. The day/date for ovulation may vary / the length of the menstrual cycle! length of the fertile period for each cycle/menh.may vary hence it is difficult lo predict the actual fertile period.
2. Difficult to monitor small changes in body temperature and thickness of cervical mucus which indicales the fertile period.
3. Difficult to adhere to as it requires discipline and cooperation from both partners to NOT have unprotected sexual intercourse during fertile period.
4. Incorrect / inaccurate counting / mistakes in counting of dates of fertile period.

(ii) Both vasectomy and tubal ligation procedures are permanent birth control methods, whereby it involves the cutting and tying of the sperm duct or oviduct. (Nature of vasectomy and tubal ligation procedures) + Thus, there will be difficulties getting pregnant after such procedures should the couple decide to have children in the future. (Conditional clause to explain why not suitable for every couple)

Question 50

What is the difference between fraternal and identical twins?

Answer 50

Fraternal twins occurs when two sperms meets two ovums, individually (1 sperm and 1 ovum) to form zygote of different DNA. Fraternal twins can be of the same or different gender.

Identical twins is when a zygote spilts into two or more zygote that develops into an embryo individually. Since both zygotes has the same DNA, the twins would be of the same gender.

Question 51

What is the difference between a zygote and an embryo?

Answer 51

A zygote is a one-cell while an embryo is a ball of cells (two or more)
Normally embryo develops by times 2. So 2 then 4 then 8 then 16.

Zygote undergoes cell division to become two cells to form an embryo.

The two differences found online
Embryo
1. An embryo is formed by the repeated cell division of a zygote.
Foetus
1. A foetus is formed by the growth and development of an embryo.
Embryo
2. An embryo is an unborn baby in the uterus in the early stages of development (up to 8 weeks)
Foetus
2. A foetus is an unborn baby in the uterus in the later stages of development (after 8 weeks till birth).

Question 52

Give the two differences between zygote and foetus?

Answer 52

1.A zygote is a fertilised egg formed by the fusion of the sperm and the egg while a foetus is the stage of the embryo that shows all recognisable body parts of a mature organism.
2. A zygote does not have a well-defined body while the foetus has as well-defined body.
(Found online)

Question 53

Using the list below, place the organs in the correct order, through which the sperm will have to pass to meet an ovum: cervix, oviducts, sperm ducts, uterus, urethra, vagina.

Answer 53

Sperm ducts—> Urethra(male)—> Vagina—>Cervix—>Uterus—> Oviducts

This is because the urethra is referring to the urethra of the penis and not the Female’s urethra. The urethra and the vagina are two separate pathways.

Question 54

A pro-life person objects to abortion because it involves killing a newly-formed life. Assuming that this individual regards a fertilised ovum as the beginning of life, which temporary contraception will this pro-life person reject?
A IUD
B Condom
C Tubal ligation
D Spermicide sponge

Answer 54

A
For this question, it is trying to test you on your knowledge on which option prevents fertilisation and which does not.
Condom does prevent fertilisation (this question does not really care about the success rate in preventing pregnancy)
Tubal ligation does prevent fertilisation
Spermicide sponge (prevents fertilisation by killing the sperms)
However, for option A, IUD, it will cause inflammation, this means that fertilisation already occured.

Question 55

Following a vasectomy, is it possible for an infected man to pass the human immune-deficiency virus (HIV) to another person through sexual intercourse?
Explain your answer.

Answer 55

Yes, vasectomy only prevents sperm from flowing out, but not the seminal fluids. There can still be exchange of bodily/genital fluids and mucosal membranes between the man and the woman during sexual intercourse.
Seminal fluid can have HIV

Question 56

What is the adaptation of the blood vessels of the structure of the placenta and blood capillaries

Answer 56

The branching of thick blood vessels into smaller vessels increases the total cross-sectional area, which leads to a decrease in flow velocity but maintains a constant flow rate. This decreased velocity allows for more time for substances to diffuse in and out of the blood vessels. Additionally, the increased surface area to volume ratio of smaller vessels enhances the rate of diffusion, facilitating the efficient exchange of substances between the blood and surrounding tissues. The steep pressure gradient maintained by the branching also ensures adequate blood flow to capillary beds, where most of the exchange occurs. (By Gemini)