Chapter 2: Human Reproduction Short Questions | biology Class 12 CBSE

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Chapter 2: Human Reproduction Short Questions | biology Class 12 CBSE | ByteNotes.in

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Question 1

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Why is the scrotum located outside the abdominal cavity?

The scrotum maintains a temperature 2–2.5°C lower than the normal internal body temperature.
This lower temperature is necessary for spermatogenesis, as sperm formation cannot occur at normal core body temperature.
The scrotal position outside the abdomen ensures the testes are exposed to a cooler environment.

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Question 2

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What are the two types of cells lining the seminiferous tubules and what are their respective functions?

Male germ cells (spermatogonia) line the seminiferous tubules and undergo meiotic divisions to produce sperms.
Sertoli cells are also present in the lining and provide nutrition to the developing germ cells.
Together, these two cell types support both the cellular and nutritional requirements of spermatogenesis.

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Question 3

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Name the components of the male accessory duct system in the correct sequence from testis to urethra.

Sperms from the seminiferous tubules pass into the rete testis, then through the vasa efferentia into the epididymis.
From the epididymis, sperms travel via the vas deferens, which loops over the urinary bladder.
The vas deferens joins the duct from the seminal vesicle to form the ejaculatory duct, which opens into the urethra.

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Question 4

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What is the composition of seminal plasma and which glands contribute to it?

Seminal plasma is secreted by the paired seminal vesicles, prostate gland and paired bulbourethral glands.
It is rich in fructose (energy source for sperms), calcium and certain enzymes essential for sperm function.
The secretions of the bulbourethral glands also serve the additional function of lubricating the penis.

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Question 5

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Describe the structure and function of the infundibulum of the fallopian tube.

The infundibulum is the funnel-shaped proximal part of the fallopian tube, located closest to the ovary.
Its edges bear finger-like projections called fimbriae, which sweep the released ovum into the fallopian tube after ovulation.
The infundibulum leads into the wider ampullary region, where fertilisation typically occurs.

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Question 6

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What are the three layers of the uterine wall? State the function of each layer.

The perimetrium is the external thin membranous layer covering the outside of the uterus.
The myometrium is the middle thick smooth muscle layer that exhibits strong contractions during delivery of the baby.
The endometrium is the inner glandular layer that undergoes cyclical changes during the menstrual cycle and supports implantation.

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Question 7

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Why is the hymen not a reliable indicator of virginity?

The hymen can be torn during the first coitus but may also be broken by a sudden fall, jolt, or insertion of a vaginal tampon.
Active participation in sports like horseback riding or cycling can also rupture the hymen.
In some women, the hymen persists even after coitus, making its presence or absence an unreliable indicator of sexual experience.

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Question 8

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Describe the role of GnRH in initiating spermatogenesis.

GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone) is a hypothalamic hormone whose secretion increases significantly at puberty.
Elevated GnRH acts on the anterior pituitary to stimulate secretion of LH and FSH.
LH then acts on Leydig cells to produce androgens, and FSH acts on Sertoli cells — both are essential for initiating and maintaining spermatogenesis.

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Question 9

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Distinguish between spermiogenesis and spermiation.

Spermiogenesis is the process of transformation of haploid spermatids into spermatozoa (mature sperms).
Spermiation is the subsequent process by which the mature sperm heads, embedded in Sertoli cells, are released into the lumen of the seminiferous tubules.
Spermiogenesis involves structural maturation of the sperm, while spermiation is the final release step that makes sperms available for transport.

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Question 10

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What is the significance of mitochondria in the middle piece of a sperm?

The middle piece of the sperm contains numerous mitochondria that are the sites of cellular respiration.
Mitochondria produce the energy (ATP) required for the movement of the sperm tail (flagellum).
This energy production is essential for sperm motility, which is required for the sperm to travel to and fertilise the ovum.

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Question 11

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What is the minimum sperm count and motility required for normal male fertility?

A human male ejaculates about 200 to 300 million sperms during a single coitus.
For normal fertility, at least 60 percent of sperms must have normal shape and size.
In addition, at least 40 percent of sperms must show vigorous motility to be considered normal for fertilisation.

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Question 12

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Why does oogenesis differ from spermatogenesis in terms of when it is initiated?

Oogenesis is initiated during embryonic development itself, when oogonia are formed within fetal ovaries — unlike spermatogenesis which begins only at puberty.
No new oogonia are formed after birth; instead, they enter prophase I of meiosis and are arrested as primary oocytes.
Spermatogenesis, by contrast, is a continuous process beginning at puberty, producing sperms throughout the male's reproductive life.

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Question 13

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How does the primary follicle develop into a Graafian follicle?

A primary oocyte surrounded by a single layer of granulosa cells forms the primary follicle.
Additional layers of granulosa cells and a theca develop to form the secondary follicle, which then transforms into a tertiary follicle characterised by a fluid-filled cavity called antrum.
The tertiary follicle further matures into the Graafian (mature) follicle, which ruptures during ovulation to release the secondary oocyte.

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Chapter 2: Human Reproduction | Short Questions

Why is the scrotum located outside the abdominal cavity?

What are the two types of cells lining the seminiferous tubules and what are their respective functions?

Name the components of the male accessory duct system in the correct sequence from testis to urethra.

What is the composition of seminal plasma and which glands contribute to it?

Describe the structure and function of the infundibulum of the fallopian tube.

What are the three layers of the uterine wall? State the function of each layer.

Why is the hymen not a reliable indicator of virginity?

Describe the role of GnRH in initiating spermatogenesis.

Distinguish between spermiogenesis and spermiation.

What is the significance of mitochondria in the middle piece of a sperm?

What is the minimum sperm count and motility required for normal male fertility?

Why does oogenesis differ from spermatogenesis in terms of when it is initiated?

How does the primary follicle develop into a Graafian follicle?

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