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NCERT Exercises and Solutions: Reproductive Health

🎓 Class 12 Biology CBSE Theory Ch 3 – Reproductive Health ⏱ ~8 min
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આ MCQ મોડ્યુલ આના પર આધારિત છે: NCERT Exercises and Solutions: Reproductive Health

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NCERT Exercises and Solutions: Reproductive Health

Chapter 3 — Reproductive Health: Summary

Reproductive health is a holistic measure of physical, emotional, behavioural and social well-being relating to reproduction. India, one of the first countries to take national-level action, runs the Reproductive and Child Health Care (RCH) programme — promoting awareness, contraception, antenatal/post-natal care, STD treatment and infertility help. Population explosion has been controlled through education, raising the marriage age (♀ 18, ♂ 21), and a wide range of contraceptive options. Safe MTP, STD prevention and Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) round out the modern reproductive-health toolkit.

4.1 Reproductive Health

  • WHO definition (4 dimensions)
  • India started family planning in 1951
  • RCH programme today

4.2 Population & Birth Control

  • Causes of population explosion
  • Natural / Barrier / IUDs / Pills / Surgical
  • Saheli — non-steroidal pill

4.3 MTP

  • MTP Act 1971
  • Safe in 1st trimester
  • Bans sex-selective abortion

4.4 STDs

  • Bacterial, viral, parasitic
  • HIV/Hep-B → also non-sexual routes
  • Prevention principles

4.5–4.6 Infertility & ART

  • Male/female causes
  • IVF, ZIFT, IUT, GIFT, ICSI, AI
  • Adoption as alternative

Key Terms (chapter-wide)

Reproductive HealthRCH ProgrammeAmniocentesis (banned) Population ExplosionMMR / IMRContraceptive Periodic AbstinenceLactational AmenorrhoeaCondom (Nirodh) DiaphragmCuT / Cu7 / Multiload-375LNG-20 / Progestasert Saheli (non-steroidal)VasectomyTubectomy MTP / Induced AbortionSTD / STI / VDGonorrhoea SyphilisChlamydiasisTrichomoniasis Genital HerpesHepatitis BHIV / AIDS InfertilityIVF / Test-tube babyZIFT IUTGIFTICSI AI / IUIAdoption

🎯 Interactive: Sort the Concept

Pick a term and see where it fits in this chapter (theme + section number).

Theme: —

Section: —

NCERT Exercises — Chapter 3: Reproductive Health

Q1. What do you think is the significance of reproductive health in a society? L2
A reproductively healthy society means people enjoy complete physical, emotional, behavioural and social well-being relating to reproduction (WHO). It means:
  • Functionally normal reproductive organs and freedom from STDs and infertility.
  • Awareness about safe sex, contraception, MMR/IMR control, and adolescent changes.
  • Equal opportunity for both sexes — combating gender bias and female foeticide.
  • Access to medical-care for pregnancy, childbirth and infant survival.
Such a society shows lower MMR/IMR, smaller and healthier families, and higher productivity.
Q2. Suggest the aspects of reproductive health which need to be given special attention in the present scenario. L3
(i) Sex education in schools to dispel myths about adolescence, safe sex and STDs.
(ii) Population control — promote contraception and small-family norms.
(iii) Strict enforcement against sex-selective abortion (PCPNDT Act).
(iv) Better STD detection & treatment, especially for the 15-24 age group.
(v) Wider availability of infertility care (ART) at affordable cost.
(vi) Improved maternal health — antenatal and post-natal care, breast-feeding promotion, immunisation.
Q3. Is sex education necessary in schools? Why? L3
Yes. Adolescents face many physical and psychological changes and are easily exposed to misinformation. Proper sex-education helps to:
  • Provide correct biological information about reproductive organs, puberty, menstruation and adolescence.
  • Discourage myths and misconceptions about sex picked up from unreliable sources.
  • Inform about safe and hygienic sexual practices, STDs, AIDS and need for contraception.
  • Promote consent, gender equality and respectful relationships.
This builds informed adults who lead reproductively healthy lives.
Q4. Do you think that the rapidly declining female sex ratio in the country is a matter of serious concern? Suggest some measures to overcome the situation. L4
Yes — it is a serious concern. A skewed sex-ratio (fewer girls per 1000 boys) leads to social problems such as a "marriage squeeze", trafficking and increased violence against women. It reflects deep-rooted gender bias and the misuse of prenatal diagnostic technology.
Measures:
  • Strict enforcement of the PCPNDT Act 1994 banning prenatal sex-determination.
  • Government schemes that incentivise the girl-child (e.g., Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Sukanya Samriddhi).
  • Public-awareness campaigns showcasing girls' achievements and equality.
  • Free or subsidised education, mid-day meals and scholarships for girls.
  • Penalties on doctors / clinics conducting illegal sex-determination.
  • Empowering women economically and socially so they are equally valued.
Q5. List the legal methods of birth control. L1
All standard contraceptives are legal in India:
  • Natural / Traditional — periodic abstinence, withdrawal (coitus interruptus), lactational amenorrhoea.
  • Barrier — condoms (Nirodh), diaphragm, cervical cap, vault.
  • IUDs — Lippes loop, CuT, Cu7, Multiload-375, LNG-20, Progestasert.
  • Hormonal — combined oral pills (Mala-D / Mala-N), Saheli, injectables, implants.
  • Surgical (sterilisation) — Vasectomy (♂), Tubectomy (♀).
  • Emergency contraception within 72 h of unprotected intercourse.
Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) is legally available under the MTP Act 1971 — not a contraceptive but a back-up option for unwanted/risky pregnancies.
Q6. How do oral contraceptive pills help in checking pregnancy? L2
Oral contraceptive pills contain progestogens or progestogen-oestrogen combinations. They check pregnancy by:
  • Inhibiting ovulation — no ovum is released from the ovary.
  • Inhibiting implantation — even if fertilisation occurs, the endometrium is unsuitable for the embryo to attach.
  • Altering cervical mucus — making it thick, retarding/blocking entry of sperms into the uterus.
Pills are taken daily for 21 days from within the first 5 days of the cycle, then a 7-day gap. Saheli, an Indian non-steroidal pill, is taken once a week with very few side-effects.
Q7. What are the side-effects (if any) of contraceptive pills? L2
Hormonal pills, especially the older oestrogen-containing ones, may cause:
  • Nausea, slight weight gain, breast tenderness, mild headache.
  • Mood changes, irregular spotting initially.
  • Slightly raised risk of blood clots in some women (especially smokers / older than 35).
  • Rarely, hypertension or breakthrough bleeding.
Saheli, being non-steroidal, has very few side-effects and is preferred for many users. Modern low-dose pills are generally safe when taken under medical advice.
Q8. Although contraceptives are not regularly recommended, they are still effective and useful in some cases. Explain the situations. L3
Some contraceptive methods are not first-line because they have side-effects, are irreversible, or are technically demanding. They are still recommended in special cases:
  • IUDs — useful for women who want a long-term, low-maintenance, reversible method (especially after first child).
  • Sterilisation (vasectomy/tubectomy) — when family is complete and no further children are desired.
  • Emergency contraception (within 72 h) — for unprotected sex, condom failure, or rape.
  • Hormonal pills — to delay first child or space births in women with no contra-indications.
The choice depends on the user's medical condition, family-plan and partner cooperation.
Q9. How do intra-uterine devices (e.g. CuT) act as effective contraceptives in human females? L3
IUDs are inserted into the uterus by a doctor. Their actions vary by type:
  • Non-medicated IUDs (Lippes loop) — induce a sterile inflammatory reaction in the uterus that increases phagocytosis of sperms.
  • Copper-releasing IUDs (CuT, Cu7, Multiload-375) — release Cu²⁺ ions which suppress sperm motility and fertilising capacity, in addition to the inflammation effect.
  • Hormone-releasing IUDs (LNG-20, Progestasert) — release progestogen which makes the uterus unsuitable for implantation and the cervix hostile to sperms (thick mucus).
They are highly effective, long-acting (3-10 years), reversible, and one of the most widely accepted methods in India.
Q10. Discuss the merits and demerits of using oral contraceptive pills. L4
MeritsDemerits
High efficacy when taken correctlyMust be taken daily; missing doses reduces efficacy
Reversible — fertility returns after stoppingSide-effects: nausea, weight gain, breast tenderness, mood swings (esp. with steroidal pills)
Some non-contraceptive benefits (regular cycles, less menstrual pain, lower risk of ovarian/endometrial cancer)No protection against STDs / HIV
Saheli (Indian non-steroidal) — once a week, very few side-effectsSlightly raised risk of clotting in smokers / older women
User-controlled; no medical procedure neededNot recommended in women with hypertension, history of stroke, breast cancer, etc.
Q11. State True or False: L1
(a) Surgical methods of contraception prevent gamete formation.
(b) All sexually transmitted diseases are completely curable.
(c) Oral pills are very popular contraceptives among rural women.
(d) In E.T. techniques, embryos are always transferred into the uterus.
(a) False. Sterilisation does not prevent gamete formation; it blocks gamete transport by cutting the vas deferens or fallopian tube.
(b) False. Most bacterial STDs are curable, but HIV, Hepatitis B and genital herpes are not completely curable (only managed).
(c) False. Among Indian rural women, condoms and IUDs are more popular; oral pills require daily-use discipline and are less universally used.
(d) False. In ZIFT the early embryo (≤8 cells) is transferred to the fallopian tube; only in IUT is the >8-cell embryo transferred to the uterus.
Q12. Correct the following statements. L2
(a) Surgical methods of contraception do not prevent gamete formation.
(b) Abortions could happen spontaneously too.
(c) Infertility is defined as the inability to produce a viable offspring and is always due to abnormalities/defects in the female partner.
(d) Complete lactation could help as a natural method of contraception.
(a) Correct as given — surgical methods (vasectomy / tubectomy) only block gamete transport, not gamete formation.
(b) Correct as given — spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) can happen due to genetic, hormonal or physical reasons.
(c) Incorrect. Infertility is the inability of a couple to conceive after 1-2 years of unprotected co-habitation. The defect may be in the male, the female, or both partners — not always the female.
(d) Partially correct. Lactational amenorrhoea works only when breast-feeding is intense and exclusive, and only up to about six months after parturition; after that the failure rate increases.
Q13. What is amniocentesis? How is it useful, and how is it being misused? L3
Amniocentesis is a foetal-cell sex-determination and chromosomal-analysis test based on a sample of amniotic fluid from a pregnant uterus.
Useful for: diagnosing genetic disorders (Down syndrome, haemophilia, sickle-cell anaemia) and chromosomal abnormalities in the foetus, allowing parents to make informed decisions.
Misuse: The technique is often misused for sex-determination of the foetus, leading to selective abortion of female foetuses. To curb this, the Government of India has imposed a statutory ban (PCPNDT Act 1994) on its use for sex-determination — punishable by law for the doctor, the clinic and the requesting couple.
Q14. Suggest some methods to assist infertile couples to have children. L3
Several Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) are available:
  • IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) — "test-tube baby"; ova + sperm fertilised in lab, embryo transferred back.
  • ZIFT — zygote/early embryo (≤8 cells) transferred into fallopian tube.
  • IUT — embryo (>8 cells) transferred into uterus.
  • GIFT — donor ovum + male partner sperm transferred into a healthy fallopian tube of the recipient who cannot produce ova.
  • ICSI — single sperm injected directly into ovum cytoplasm; for severe male-factor infertility.
  • AI / IUI — semen artificially introduced into vagina or uterus when male cannot inseminate.
Adoption of orphan/destitute children is also encouraged as an emotionally fulfilling and socially valuable alternative.
Q15. What are the measures one has to take to prevent contracting STDs? L3
A few simple principles greatly reduce the chance of STDs:
  • Avoid sex with unknown partners and multiple partners.
  • Always use condoms during coitus — they form a physical barrier preventing exchange of body fluids.
  • Use sterile / disposable needles & syringes — avoid sharing them.
  • Insist on screened blood and blood-products before transfusion.
  • Take Hepatitis B and HPV vaccines.
  • If in doubt, visit a qualified doctor for early detection and complete treatment.
  • Spread awareness — break the stigma, especially for the high-risk 15-24 age group.
Q16. State whether True or False: L1
(a) Infertility is defined as the inability to produce a viable offspring and is always due to abnormalities in the female partner.
(b) Any abnormality / disease of the reproductive system can be diagnosed by amniocentesis.
(c) ZIFT is the transfer of zygote into the fallopian tube.
(d) Vasectomy prevents the production of sperms.
(a) False. Infertility may be due to defects in the male, female or both partners.
(b) False. Amniocentesis detects foetal chromosomal/genetic abnormalities — not adult reproductive-system diseases.
(c) True. ZIFT (Zygote Intra-Fallopian Transfer) places the zygote/early embryo (≤8 cells) into the fallopian tube.
(d) False. Vasectomy blocks the transport of sperms by cutting/tying the vas deferens; sperm production in the testis still occurs.
📐 Activity 4.5 — Build the Mind-map

Aim: Convert this whole chapter into one A4 mind-map.

Predict: Which sub-topic — birth control or ART — will need the most branches?
  1. Place "Reproductive Health" at the centre.
  2. Branch 1: WHO definition + RCH.
  3. Branch 2: Population control → 6 contraceptive families.
  4. Branch 3: MTP — indications, MTP Act, safe window.
  5. Branch 4: STDs — list, transmission, prevention.
  6. Branch 5: Infertility & ART (IVF / ZIFT / IUT / GIFT / ICSI / AI / Adoption).
  7. Use colour to mark "examinable definitions" vs "applied/social" content.
Tips: Keep each end-leaf ≤ 5 words. Birth-control branch normally has the most leaves (six families × multiple examples). Highlight Saheli, CuT and ICSI in a different colour — they are very common in CBSE exam questions.

📚 Competency-Based Questions (Chapter-wide Mix)

1. Which government act bans pre-natal sex-determination in India? L1

  • (A) MTP Act 1971
  • (B) PCPNDT Act 1994
  • (C) Population Stabilisation Act 2000
  • (D) ART Regulation Act 2021
Answer: (B) PCPNDT Act 1994 — Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act bans use of amniocentesis/ultrasound for sex selection.

2. The intentional, voluntary termination of pregnancy before full term is called __________. L1

Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) / Induced abortion.

3. Why is the use of condoms recommended even for couples using a different contraceptive? L3

Other contraceptives (pills, IUDs, sterilisation) prevent pregnancy but do not protect from STDs/HIV. Condoms add a critical second layer of protection by physically blocking exchange of body fluids — particularly important for partners with multiple/unknown sexual histories.

4. A doctor advises a couple struggling to conceive to opt for ICSI rather than IVF. Justify the choice. L4

If the male partner has very low sperm count or poor sperm motility, regular IVF may fail because too few sperms can fertilise the ovum naturally in a dish. ICSI bypasses this — a single healthy sperm is selected and injected directly into the cytoplasm of the ovum, dramatically improving fertilisation in severe male-factor infertility.

5. Critically evaluate: "RCH programme has solved India's reproductive-health problems." L5

RCH has produced clear gains — lower MMR/IMR, higher contraceptive prevalence, smaller families, more institutional deliveries, better STD detection. However, problems remain: continued population pressure in some states, female foeticide, low awareness in tribal areas, rising STDs among 15-24 age group, and unequal access to ART. The statement is therefore partially true — significant progress, but ongoing challenges that require sustained education, social reform and infrastructure investment.

🧠 Assertion–Reason (Chapter-wide)

Choose: (A) Both true, R explains A. (B) Both true, R doesn't explain A. (C) A true, R false. (D) A false, R true.

A: Saheli is preferred over conventional combined oral pills.

R: Saheli is non-steroidal and is taken once a week, with very few side effects.

Answer: (A). Both true and R explains A — non-steroidal once-a-week dosing makes it user-friendly and low-side-effect.

A: Adoption is an alternative to ART for infertile couples.

R: ART is expensive and technologically demanding; adoption gives a parentless child a loving family.

Answer: (A). Both true; R explains A.

A: MTP Act 1971 was enacted primarily to enable sex-selective abortion.

R: Sex-determination of the foetus is legal in India.

Answer: (D). A is FALSE — the MTP Act was enacted to provide safe legal abortion for genuine medical/social reasons and explicitly to discourage illegal sex-selective abortions. R is also FALSE — sex-determination of the foetus is BANNED under PCPNDT Act 1994. So the most appropriate option, given exam convention, is (D) since A is false (focusing on the assertion).

Frequently Asked Questions - NCERT Exercises and Solutions: Reproductive Health

What are the most-asked NCERT exercise questions in Chapter Reproductive Health?
NCERT Class 12 Biology Chapter on Reproductive Health exercises cover definitions, mechanisms, labelled diagrams, comparison tables, and application-based questions. The MyAiSchool solution set provides full step-by-step solutions for every NCERT question, aligned with the CBSE board exam pattern. Students should master scientific terminology, mechanism flowcharts, and concept comparison to score full marks.
How should students approach diagram-based questions in Reproductive Health?
For diagram-based questions in NCERT Class 12 Biology Chapter on Reproductive Health: (1) draw clean, proportional, large diagrams with sharp pencil lines, (2) label all parts horizontally on the right side using a ruler, (3) use scientific terminology (Latin/Greek names where applicable), (4) write a 1-2 line description if asked. The MyAiSchool solutions provide editable reference diagrams aligned with NCERT textbook figures.
What types of CBSE board questions come from Reproductive Health?
CBSE Class 12 Biology board questions from Reproductive Health typically include: (1) 1-mark MCQs on definitions and processes, (2) 2-mark short-answer mechanism/comparison questions, (3) 3-mark labelled-diagram questions, (4) 5-mark long-answer essays combining mechanism + diagram + significance. The MyAiSchool exercise set tags each question by mark weight and Bloom level (L1-L6).
How do I compare two biological processes in 5-mark questions?
For 5-mark comparison questions in NCERT Class 12 Biology on Reproductive Health: (1) use a two-column table with feature headings down the left side, (2) compare on at least 5-6 features (definition, location, mechanism, control, outcome, significance), (3) include one labelled diagram if relevant, (4) end with biological significance. The MyAiSchool solutions follow this CBSE-aligned tabular format consistently for full marks.
What are common mistakes in Reproductive Health exercises?
Common mistakes in NCERT Class 12 Biology Reproductive Health include: (1) confusing similar terms (mitosis vs meiosis, syngamy vs triple fusion, etc.), (2) skipping intermediate steps in mechanisms, (3) missing examples or species names, (4) writing essays when tables are expected, (5) forgetting biological significance. The MyAiSchool solutions highlight these traps with red flags so students avoid losing marks.
How does the MyAiSchool solution differ from other NCERT solution sets?
MyAiSchool Class 12 Biology Reproductive Health solutions use NEP 2024-aligned pedagogy with Bloom Taxonomy tagged questions (L1 Remember to L6 Create), step-by-step working with biological reasoning, fully labelled SVG diagrams, comparison tables, interactive simulations, and Competency-Based Questions (CBQs) for board exam practice. Each solution is verified against NCERT and CBSE marking schemes.
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