Biology

Pregnancy and Childbirth

996 Questions

This hub covers essential biology questions on pregnancy, fetal development, and childbirth. Topics include the placenta, maternal physiology, and the stages of labor. These concepts are frequently tested in general science sections of various competitive examinations.

Placenta and fetal nutritionStages of laborMaternal immune systemPregnancy complications

Pregnancy and Childbirth Questions

Multiple choice

Umbilical cord is the lifeline between

  1. mother and the child

  2. mother and the unborn child

  3. Father and the child

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The umbilical cord is the vital connection between the fetus (unborn child) and the placenta, which is attached to the mother's uterine wall. Through this cord, oxygen, nutrients, and blood are delivered to the developing baby, while waste products are removed. The 'unborn' specification is crucial because after birth, this connection is severed.

Multiple choice

Amniocentosis is a method for

  1. Determination of foetal sex

  2. Separation of amino acids

  3. Inducing abortion

  4. Determination of the sequence of amino acids in a proteins
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Amniocentesis (note the correct spelling) is a prenatal test where a small amount of amniotic fluid is extracted from the amniotic sac. While it can determine fetal sex, its primary purpose is detecting chromosomal abnormalities and genetic disorders like Down syndrome. Sex determination for selective abortion is illegal in India.

Multiple choice

The distribution of placenta inside the ovary is known as

  1. placentation

  2. aestivation

  3. polymerisation

  4. vernation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Placentation is the term for the arrangement and distribution of placenta inside the ovary. Aestivation refers to petal arrangement, vernation to leaf bud arrangement, and polymerisation is a chemical process unrelated to plant anatomy.

Multiple choice

Which among the following statements does not characterise syphilis in humans?

  1. An infected mother can pass syphilis to her developing fetus.

  2. The first sign of syphilis usually appears 2 to 4 weeks following exposure.

  3. A rash frequently appears about 6 weeks to 3 months after the chancre has healed.

  4. The late syphilis, begins 3 or more years after infection.

  5. The bacteria remain inactive in the lymph nodes and the spleen.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The first sign of syphilis usually appears 2 to 10 weeks following exposure. A red, oval sore, called a chancre (pronounced shanker) develops at the site where the bacteria entered the body. The lesion typically looks clean, is not pus filled, and is often painless.

Multiple choice

Gestation period in woman is of ____.

  1. 380 days

  2. 280 days

  3. 250 days

  4. 200 days
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The average human gestation period is 280 days (40 weeks) from last menstrual period. This is the standard duration used in medical practice.

Multiple choice

Connection between fetus and the mother is called ____.

  1. fertilization

  2. implantation

  3. placenta

  4. ovulation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The placenta is the special organ that forms the connection between the fetus and the mother's uterus, allowing for nutrient and gas exchange. Fertilization is the fusion of gametes, implantation is when the embryo attaches to the uterus, and ovulation is the release of an egg - none of these represent the ongoing fetal-mother connection.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is true about congenital abnormalities seen in a newborn baby?

  1. Deformations are typically due to an insult in the first trimester whereas malformations occur due to insults in the second or third trimester.

  2. Congenital anomaly registers allow researchers to identify clusters of abnormality and may allow earlier identification of a teratogenic source.

  3. Deformities of the skull bones are extremely rare and need urgent neurosurgical referral.

  4. An abnormal uterus or breech position does not cause limb abnormalities.

  5. Talipes equinovarus responds best to early corrective surgery by an orthopaedic surgeon.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

It is important to monitor congenital abnormalities to understand their aetiology.