Reproduction Practice Questions

1. The diagram below shows a graph representing the variation in thickness of the uterine lining of a woman over a period of 61 days.

(a) At what phase(s) did menstruation occur (A, B, C, D, E, F,G) ? [1]
(b) At what phase (W, X, Y, Z) did ovulation occur? [1]
(c) Describe the fate of the egg in:
(i) Phase E [1]
(ii) Phase G [2]
(d) If this lady decides to go for tubal ligation, describe the fate of the egg in Phase E in her next menstrual cycle.[2]

ANSWERS
1(a) B and E [1]
(b) Y [1]
(c)(i) Phase E: Egg discharged from the body together with blood and uterine lining during menstruation. [1]
(c)(ii) Phase G: Egg is fertilized by a sperm and becomes a zygote; zygote divides to form a ball of cells (embryo) and implants onto uterine lining; [2]
(d) At phase E, ovulation has already occurred, the egg will travel to the beginning of the oviduct but will not be fertilised as the oviducts have been cut and tied;
The egg will die and break down, but will not be able to pass out of the body during menstruation; [2]

2. Distinguish clearly between the following pairs of terms:
a. Fertilisation and pollination [2]
b. Ovary and ovule [2]

ANSWERS
2(a) Any 2 of the following comparisons:
Fertilisation: Fusion of male and female gametes, Pollination: Transfer of pollen grain containing the male gametes from an anther to stigma;
Fertilisation: Forms a zygote, Pollination: Forms a pollen tube;
Fertilisation: Occurs in plants and animals, Pollination: Occurs in plants only;

(b) Any 2 of the following comparisons:
Ovary: Found in plants and animals, Ovule: Found in plants only;
Ovary: In plants, contains ovule, Ovule: In plants, contains ovum;
Ovary: In plants, structure which forms fruits, Ovule: In plants, structure which forms seeds;