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Exam questions · Biology · The Endocrine System

Contraception and Fertility Treatment

  • 7 exam questions
  • 22 marks
  • 8 quick checks
  1. 1 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
  2. 2 Explain [3 marks]

    Explain how the combined contraceptive pill prevents pregnancy.

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    Model answer

    The pill contains oestrogen and progesterone, which keep the level of these hormones high. This stops the pituitary gland releasing FSH. Without FSH no egg matures in the ovary, so there is no egg to be fertilised.

    Mark scheme

    • Contains oestrogen and progesterone — 1 mark
    • Stops FSH release — 1 mark
    • No egg matures — 1 mark
  3. 3 Evaluate [4 marks]

    Figure 1 shows how many women out of 100 become pregnant in a year when using each method of contraception. Use the data in Figure 1 to evaluate the use of the male condom and the implant as methods of contraception.

    A bar chart of pregnancies per 100 women in a year for six methods of contraception.
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    Model answer

    The implant is much more effective, because fewer than 1 woman in 100 gets pregnant in a year, compared with 13 in 100 for the condom. The implant lasts for years and does not depend on remembering. However, the condom is the only one that protects against sexually transmitted infections, and the implant may have hormonal side effects.

    Mark scheme

    • Implant more effective, using the data — 1 mark
    • Implant does not depend on remembering — 1 mark
    • Condom protects against infection — 1 mark
    • Implant may have side effects — 1 mark
  4. 4 Describe [3 marks]

    Describe three non-hormonal methods of contraception.

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    Model answer

    Any three of: condoms, a diaphragm with spermicide, an IUD, abstaining at fertile times, sterilisation.

    Mark scheme

    • Any three methods — 3 marks
  5. 5 Explain [2 marks]

    Explain why a progesterone injection can be more effective than the combined pill in real use.

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    Model answer

    The injection lasts for weeks, so it does not need to be remembered every day. The pill is often forgotten, which makes it less effective.

    Mark scheme

    • The injection is not taken daily — 1 mark
    • The pill may be forgotten — 1 mark
  6. 6 Describe [4 marks]

    Describe the main stages of in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

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    Model answer

    The woman is given FSH and LH so that several eggs mature. The eggs are collected from the ovaries. They are mixed with sperm in a dish, where they are fertilised. The embryos grow for a few days, and one or two are put into the uterus.

    Mark scheme

    • FSH and LH to mature eggs — 1 mark
    • Eggs collected — 1 mark
    • Fertilised with sperm in a dish — 1 mark
    • Embryos put into the uterus — 1 mark
  7. 7 Evaluate [4 marks]

    Evaluate the use of IVF to treat infertility.

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    Model answer

    IVF can give a baby to couples who cannot conceive in any other way. However, many cycles do not work, and the success rate falls with age. The hormones may have side effects, and more than one embryo can lead to multiple births, which carry more risk. It is stressful and expensive, and some people have ethical objections to unused embryos being destroyed.

    Mark scheme

    • Gives a baby to couples who cannot conceive — 1 mark
    • Low success rate — 1 mark
    • Health risks, such as multiple births — 1 mark
    • Cost, stress or ethical issues — 1 mark

Quick check

  1. 1

    Which two hormones are in the combined pill?

    1. AFSH and LH
    2. BInsulin and glucagon
    3. COestrogen and progesterone
    4. DTestosterone and adrenaline
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    C: Oestrogen and progesterone

    The combined pill contains oestrogen and progesterone.

  2. 2

    Which method of contraception also protects against sexually transmitted infections?

    1. AThe pill
    2. BThe condom
    3. CThe implant
    4. DThe IUD
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    B: The condom

    Only the condom provides a barrier to infection.

  3. 3

    How does the combined pill stop an egg maturing?

    1. AIt stops FSH release
    2. BIt kills sperm
    3. CIt blocks the oviduct
    4. DIt stops ovulation by releasing LH
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    A: It stops FSH release

    It stops the pituitary releasing FSH.

  4. 4

    Which of these is a permanent method of contraception?

    1. AThe pill
    2. BThe condom
    3. CThe diaphragm
    4. DSterilisation
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    D: Sterilisation

    Sterilisation is permanent.

  5. 5

    In the chart, which method has the fewest pregnancies in a year?

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

    The implant has fewer than 1 pregnancy per 100 women in a year.

  6. 6

    Why is the daily pill less effective in real use than the implant?

    1. AIt has no hormones
    2. BIt can be forgotten
    3. CIt is a barrier
    4. DIt lasts for years
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    B: It can be forgotten

    The pill can be forgotten, but the implant needs no daily action.

  7. 7

    Which hormones can be given to a woman who does not ovulate?

    1. AFSH and LH
    2. BInsulin and glucagon
    3. CTestosterone and thyroxine
    4. DAdrenaline and ADH
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    A: FSH and LH

    FSH and LH stimulate eggs to mature and be released.

  8. 8

    Where does fertilisation happen in IVF?

    1. AIn the uterus
    2. BIn the oviduct
    3. CIn the ovary
    4. DIn a laboratory dish
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    D: In a laboratory dish

    In IVF the egg is fertilised by sperm in a laboratory dish.