Answers to Biology for IGCSE Chapter 15

Chapter 15 Summary Questions page 200.

(Suggested marks are given in square brackets)

1 testes produce, male gametes / sperm or produce testosterone

scrotum holds testes at cooler temperature than core body temperature
sperm ducts sperm travel from testes to, urethra / penis, during intercourse
prostate gland secretes, fluid in which sperm swim / seminal fluid
urethra seminal fluid / sperm, travels through urethra during ejaculation
penis fills with blood and becomes erect during intercourse / deposits seminal fluid
in vagina [6]

2 ovary follicle develops containing female gamete or produce, oestrogen /

progesterone
oviduct site of fertilisation / moves egg and/or embryo from ovary to uterus
uterus site of implantation / site of development of embryo or fetus / muscular wall
contracts to push out fetus during birth
cervix directs sperm into uterus during fertile part of the menstrual cycle / mucus
plug during pregnancy prevents infections / dilates at the beginning of birth
vagina site of deposition of sperm or birth canal stretches during birth [5]

3 this could be marked to a total of 24 with a mark for naming each method and giving
a description and an explanation in each case

method description explanation

condom sheath over penis
vasectomy sperm ducts (vas deferens)
are cut and tied
intra-uterine device plastic / copper device fitted
into uterus
cap / diaphragm rubber dome fitted over
cervix
femidom sheath that fits inside the
vagina
sterilisation oviducts cut and tied
spermicide chemicals in cream / foam or
jelly put into vagina
rhythm method abstaining from sexual
intercourse around fertile
time in menstrual period
prevents sperm being
deposited in vagina
prevents sperm travelling
from testes to urethra
prevents sperm entering
oviduct / prevents embryo
implanting
prevents sperm entering
uterus
prevents sperm entering the
vagina
prevents eggs reaching site
of fertilisation
kills sperm (usually used with
another method)
no sperm in oviduct at the
time when an egg is released
from ovary

4 ovary organ where follicles develop; secretes oestrogen; egg develops inside
follicle; egg released at ovulation; follicle becomes, corpus luteum / yellow
body; corpus luteum secretes progesterone;

uterus lining is repaired after menstruation; growth of uterus wall; shedding of lining
of wall ( menstruation) [6]
5 flow chart should show:
changes in the ovary and testes to produce eggs and sperm,
after fertilisation should show zygote becoming an embryo which implants in
the wall of the uterus where it develops into a fetus
birth [6]

6 placenta barrier between blood of mother and blood of fetus; reason for barrier:
mothers blood at too high a pressure to flow into fetus; prevents cells and large
molecules in mothers blood crossing into fetus; allows exchange of oxygen and
carbon dioxide / gas exchange; allows passage of nutrients from mother to fetus;
allows, passage of waste from fetus to mother;

umbilical cord joins fetus to placenta; blood flows from fetus to placenta and from
placenta to fetus [6]

7 diet ensure sufficient calcium for bones of fetus; iron for haemoglobin; red blood
cells of mother; and fetus; transport of sufficient oxygen; sufficient energy; sufficient
protein to provide amino acids to make maternal protein (muscle in uterus wall,
breast tissue) and fetal protein for growth;

do not smoke; nicotine raises blood pressure; carbon monoxide lowers oxygen
transported in the blood; can lead to underweight babies; premature babies;

do not drink (much) alcohol; drinking alcohol during pregnancy can lead to birth
defects; mental retardation; in severe cases to fetal alcohol syndrome;

do not take drugs; can lead to addiction in baby

8 diagrams should show the following labels and annotations

sperm cell
acrosome contains enzymes released during fertilisation to digest a pathway
through the jelly coat
cell membrane
middle piece contains mitochondria provide energy for lashing of the tail to move
the sperm cell
tail beats like a whip to move the sperm cell
nucleus contains (haploid number of) chromosomes with genetic contribution from
the male

egg cell
cell membrane
cytoplasm stores of protein and fat to provide energy for embryo until it implants in
the uterus
nucleus contains the (haploid number of) chromosomes with genetic contribution
from the female

9 flow diagram can be divided into three parts:

1. first half of the menstrual cycle

 pituitary gland secretes FSH; ovary responds by growing of follicle; egg develops
inside the follicle; ovary releases oestrogen; which stimulates uterus lining to repair
and grow

2. second half of the menstrual cycle

pituitary gland secretes LH; ovary responds by releasing egg from follicle (ovulation);
follicle become a, corpus luteum / yellow body; yellow body secretes progesterone;
which stimulates uterus lining to remain thick for implantation

3. pregnancy

yellow body continues to secrete oestrogen and progesterone; uterus lining remains
thick during pregnancy [6]

10 fetus is protected by

placental barrier; from bacterial infections; some viral infections;

lymphocytes and phagocytes of maternal immune system

amniotic fluid; inside, amniotic sac / amnion; against mechanical damage [4]

11 HIV enters and destroys lymphocytes; lymphocytes produce antibodies; without

lymphocytes there are fewer antibodies; to protect the body against invading
pathogens; HIV+ people are more at risk from infectious diseases;

lymphocytes also protect against tumours; without lymphocytes tumours, grow / are
not killed before become too large; HIV+ people are more at risk from cancers [5]

Chapter 15 Exam-Style Questions page 200-201.

Multiple Choice Questions (1 mark each)

1 D
2 D
3 D
4 B

Short Answer Questions

5 (a) A placenta;
B umbilical cord;
C uterus;
D amniotic, fluid / cavity;
E cervix; [5]

(b) A separates from uterus;

B tied and cut after baby is born;
C contracts to push baby through birth canal;
D amnion breaks and fluid passes out;
E dilates / widens, to allow baby to enter the birth canal; [5]
6 (a)

1method 2how the method 3number of women 4percentage

works in who get pregnant reliability
in a year
5condom 6prevents sperm 72 in 100 898;
being released into
vagina;
9contraceptive pill 1prevents, ovary 2fewer than 1 in 3less than 99
the pill releasing eggs / 100
ovulation;
4diaphragm or cap 1prevents sperm 24 to 8 92 to 96
entering uterus;
3vasectomy 4sperm ducts are 51 in 1000 699.9
tied so sperm are
not present in
semen

[5]
(b) there is contact between penis and vagina; pathogens (viruses and bacteria) are
transmitted in blood, semen and vaginal fluid; some into the blood through tears in
the skin or urethral epithelium or vaginal epithelium; [3]

(c) across the placenta; to baby at birth when maternal and babys blood mix; in breast
milk; intravenous drug users sharing needles; in blood transfusion; in blood products
(e.g. substances required for clotting given to haemophiliacs); [2]

7 (a) no FSH to stimulate the ovary; no follicle develops; no egg develops in follicle; [2]

(b) question says social issues not biological issues. The following is a list of possible
issues that could be mentioned

couples can have many children if many embryos are implanted (multiple births);
donor sperm may be used in which case should children know the identity of their
biological father?;
who should receive fertility treatment?;
should it be available to those who are too old to have children naturally?;
problems for child with elderly parents;
should it be available to those who have had unsuccessful treatment(s)?:
should the fertility treatment be free (provided by the state / health service) or not?;
if free, should the money be spent on more important treatments?;
medical staff / medical facilities, could be used for other more important treatments;
[4]

(c) inhibit the release of FSH from the pituitary; so new menstrual cycle does not start;
maintains lining of uterus; so it stays thick during pregnancy; stimulates changes in
the breasts to provide milk immediately the baby is born; [3]

8 (a) 125 115 = 10, 10/125 x 100; 8%; [2]

(b) number of cases increases from 1997 to 1998 by 6 per 100 000; remains constant at
about 125 until 2001; decreases to 115 in 2004, increases to 120 in 2006; [3]

(c) discharge; pain when urinating; sores on penis; [2]

(d) provide information (posters / leaflets); health education; contact tracing; testing
contacts to see if they are infected; if so, provide treatment; encouraging people with
symptoms to attend clinics for treatment; promote use of, condoms / femidoms;
provide appropriate antibiotics to, doctors / health clinics; [4]

(e) few / no, lymphocytes; few / no, antibodies produced; little / no, protection against
pathogens; [3]