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Exam questions · Biology · Hormones and Reproduction

Contraception

  • 6 exam questions
  • 18 marks
  • 9 quick checks
  1. 1 State [1 mark]

    State what is meant by contraception.

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    Model answer

    A method of preventing pregnancy.

    Mark scheme

    • Prevents pregnancy — 1 mark
  2. 2 State [2 marks]

    State two hormones that are in the combined contraceptive pill.

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    Model answer

    Oestrogen and progesterone.

    Mark scheme

    • Oestrogen — 1 mark
    • Progesterone — 1 mark
  3. 3 Explain [3 marks]

    Explain how the combined contraceptive pill prevents pregnancy.

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    Model answer

    The hormones in the pill keep the levels of FSH and LH low, so that no egg matures, and no egg is released. If there is no egg, there is nothing to be fertilised. The hormones also make the mucus thicker, so that sperm cannot get through, and keep the lining of the uterus thin.

    Mark scheme

    • FSH and LH kept low — 1 mark
    • No egg released, so no fertilisation — 1 mark
    • Thick mucus or thin lining — 1 mark
  4. 4 Describe [3 marks]

    Describe how a condom prevents pregnancy, and why it is also useful in preventing the spread of STIs.

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    Model answer

    A condom is a barrier that stops sperm from reaching the egg, as it prevents them from entering the vagina. It also stops body fluids from passing from one person to another, so it prevents the spread of STIs.

    Mark scheme

    • Barrier stops sperm reaching the egg — 1 mark
    • Stops body fluids passing between people — 1 mark
    • So it prevents the spread of STIs — 1 mark
  5. 5 Calculate [3 marks]

    In one year, 4 out of 100 women using the injection, and 13 out of 100 women using the male condom, became pregnant. Calculate how many times more likely a woman was to become pregnant using the condom.

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    Model answer

    13 ÷ 4 = 3.25, so about 3.3 times as likely.

    Mark scheme

    • Division of 13 by 4 — 1 mark
    • 3.25 — 1 mark
    • About 3 times as likely — 1 mark
  6. 6 Evaluate [6 marks]

    A couple have been together for six months. They want to avoid pregnancy, and they have each had only one other partner. Evaluate the use of the combined pill and of condoms for this couple.

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    Model answer

    The combined pill is more effective than the condom, as 7 out of 100 women using it became pregnant in a year, compared with 13 out of 100 for the condom. It works by stopping ovulation. However, the pill has to be taken every day, and may have side effects, such as headaches and a small increase in the risk of blood clots, and it gives no protection against sexually transmitted infections. A condom has no hormonal side effects and protects against STIs, which matters because they have both had other partners, but it is less effective and must be used correctly each time. For this couple it would be best to use both, so they would have the greater protection against pregnancy from the pill, and against infection from the condom.

    Mark scheme

    • Pill more effective, with data — 1 mark
    • Pill stops ovulation — 1 mark
    • Pill side effects, and daily use — 1 mark
    • Condom protects against STIs — 1 mark
    • Condom less effective — 1 mark
    • Reasoned conclusion, such as both — 1 mark

Quick check

  1. 1

    What do the hormones in the pill stop?

    1. AMenstruation
    2. BOvulation
    3. CDigestion
    4. DRespiration
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    B: Ovulation

    Ovulation.

  2. 2

    Which method of contraception also protects against STIs?

    1. AA condom
    2. BThe pill
    3. CThe implant
    4. DThe injection
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    A: A condom

    Condoms.

  3. 3

    Which hormones are in the combined pill?

    1. AInsulin and glucagon
    2. BFSH and LH
    3. COestrogen and progesterone
    4. DThyroxine and adrenaline
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    C: Oestrogen and progesterone

    Oestrogen and progesterone.

  4. 4

    What does progesterone do to the mucus at the entrance to the uterus?

    1. AIt makes it thinner
    2. BIt removes it
    3. CIt dyes it
    4. DIt makes it thicker
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    D: It makes it thicker

    It makes it thicker, so that sperm cannot get through.

  5. 5

    Which method does not use hormones?

    1. AThe patch
    2. BA copper IUD
    3. CThe implant
    4. DThe injection
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    B: A copper IUD

    A copper IUD.

  6. 6

    Which is a possible side effect of hormonal contraception?

    1. AHeadaches
    2. BHigher chance of STIs
    3. CTaller height
    4. DBetter eyesight
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    A: Headaches

    Headaches or mood changes.

  7. 7

    Which method is the most effective in the data?

    1. AThe diaphragm
    2. BThe male condom
    3. CThe implant
    4. DThe combined pill
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    C: The implant

    The implant, with fewer than 1 pregnancy per 100 women.

  8. 8

    13 out of 100 women using a method became pregnant. What percentage is this?

    1. A1.3%
    2. B0.13%
    3. C87%
    4. D13%
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    D: 13%

    13%.

  9. 9

    Why can the effectiveness of the combined pill be lower than that of the implant?

    1. AIt uses different hormones
    2. BIt must be remembered every day
    3. CIt is made of copper
    4. DIt is taken after sex
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    B: It must be remembered every day

    The pill has to be remembered every day, but the implant does not.