CHAPTER 13: REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Book Solution
CONCEPT CHECK 1
Name the following:
1. The male gonad and gamete.
Ans. Testis; sperm
2. The structure where testes are located.
Ans. Scrotal sac
3. The tubules lined by germinal epithelium.
Ans. Seminiferous tubules
4. The long coiled tube which stores mature sperm and serves as a passage of their transport.
Ans. Epididymis
5. The endocrine cells present between the seminiferous tubules.
Ans. Interstitial cells or Leydig cells

CONCEPT CHECK 2
Answer the following questions:
1. What are the essential organs of female reproductive system?
Ans. Ovaries
2. Which part of male reproductive system is equivalent to the labia majora of female?
Ans. Scrotum
3. Name the three parts of uterus.
Ans. Fundus, body of uterus and cervix
4. Name the hormones secreted by ovary.
Ans. Oestrogen and progesterone

CONCEPT CHECK 3
Answer the following questions:
1. What is the difference between menarche and menopause?
Ans. Menarche is the first menstruation in a female on reaching puberty, whereas menopause is the
stoppage of menstrual flow and end of reproductive phase in female.
2. What is the duration of one menstrual cycle in a human female?
Ans. Average 28 days
3. Name two characteristic changes that define onset of puberty in a male child.
Ans. (a) Hair growth on face, chest and armpits.
(b) Deeper voice, broad and muscular chest.

Chapter 13: reproductive system 1

 4. What is ovulation?
Ans. Release of egg from the mature Graafian follicle is called ovulation.
5. What happens to corpus luteum if ovum is not fertilised?
Ans. In case of no fertilisation of ovum, both ovum and corpus luteum degenerate.

CONCEPT CHECK 4
Answer the following questions:
1. What is formed when an egg and sperm fuse together?
Ans. Zygote
2. What type of cell division takes place during embryo formation?
Ans. Mitotic division
3. How does a very young embryo obtain nutrients?
Ans. A very young embryo obtains nutrients from the endometrium of uterus through yolk sac.
4. What is implantation?
Ans. The process of attachment of blastocyst (embryo) to the endometrium of uterine wall is called
implantation.
5. How do sperm ascend through vagina and uterus?
Ans. Sperm ascend through vagina and uterus by the
(a) lashing movements of their tail and
(b) rhythmic contraction of muscles of uterine wall.
6. What is menstrual cycle?
Ans. The cycle of events between the two menstruations is called menstrual cycle.
7. How many phases are identified in the menstrual cycle?
Ans. Four phases – Menstrual phase, follicular phase, ovulatory phase and luteal phase.
8. How does egg travel along the oviduct?
Ans. The ovum released by the ovary is swept into the oviduct (fallopian tube) by the action of the
fimbriae. The ovum moves into the oviduct by:
(a) Ciliary action of the epithelium.
(b) Fluid currents of the oviduct.
(c) Peristaltic contractions of the muscles of oviduct.
9. Where does fertilisation of egg take place in humans?
Ans. Fertilisation of egg takes place in the anterior part of oviduct.
10. Which hormones are secreted by placenta?
Ans. Placenta secretes human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), progesterone and oestrogen, and human
placental lactogen hormones.
11. What are twins?
Ans. When a woman gives birth to two babies at a time, they are called twins.
12. How are identical twins formed?
Ans. Identical twins are formed when a fertilised egg is divided into two separate cells and each cell
develops into an embryo.

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 REVIEW QUESTIONS

A. VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. Give one word for the following.
(a) The structure in which testes are present in man.
(b) The canal through which testes descend into the scrotum just before the birth in human
male.
(c) The male reproductive cells in the humans.
(d) The site of production of sperm in man.
(e) Tube that leads from ovary to the uterus.
(f) The onset of menstruation in a young girl.
(g) Term used for mature follicle.
(h) Condition when human female stops menstruation at the age of 40–50 years.
(i) Sloughing off the uterine wall during menstrual flow.
(j) Hormones that influence reproductive function in males and in females.
(k) The mucous membrane lining the uterus.
(l) The period of complete intrauterine development of the embryo.
(m) Nonidentical twins produced by the fertilisation of two eggs.
(n) Membrane that protects the foetus and secretes a protective fluid.
Ans. (a) Scrotal sac or scrotum (b) Inguinal canal
(c) Sperm (d) Testes
(e) Oviduct or fallopian tube (f) Menarche
(g) Graafian follicle (h) Menopause
(i) Menstruation (j) Sex hormones
(k) Endometrium (l) Gestation period
(m) Fraternal twins (n) Amnion
2. State whether the following statements are true or false. If false, rewrite the correct form of
statements.
(a) Testes produce testosterone hormone.
(b) Testosterone is an androgen.
(c) The narrow part of uterus is called vulva.
(d) Clitoris is equivalent to the penis of male.
(e) In mammals, the opening of fallopian tube has fimbricated margin.
(f) Vagina is lined by ciliated epithelium.
(g) In a sexually mature human female, one ovum is released from each ovary every month.
(h) The release of ovum by bursting of a Graafian follicle is called oogenesis.
(i) Process of fusion of sperm nucleus and egg nucleus is called implantation.
(j) Fertilisation of ovum occurs in vagina.
Ans. (a) True
(b) True
(c) False; The narrow part of uterus is called cervix.
(d) True

Chapter 13: reproductive system 3

 (e) True
(f) False; Fallopian tube is lined by ciliated epithelium.
(g) False; In a sexually mature human female, one ovum is released from each ovary every
alternate month.
(h) False; The release of ovum by bursting of a Graafian follicle is called ovulation.
(i) False; Process of fusion of sperm nucleus and egg nucleus is called fertilisation.
(j) False; Fertilisation of ovum occurs in fallopian tube.
3. Choose the odd one in each of the following sets.
(a) Corpus luteum, antrum, follicle, Sertoli cells
(b) Oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, prolactin
(c) Ovary, fallopian tube, ureter, uterus
Ans. (a) Sertoli cells (b) Testosterone (c) Ureter
4. Complete the following statements by choosing the correct alternative from those given in the
brackets.
(a) Sertoli cells give nourishment to (sperm/ova/foetus)
(b) The stores sperm. (epididymis/vas deferens/seminal vesicle)
(c) One Graafian follicle matures every (13th day/14th day/28th day)
(d) The site of fertilisation in human female is (vagina/oviduct/uterus)
(e) Placenta produces two hormones, oestrogen and (testosterone/progesterone/
FSH)
(f) The embryo inside the uterus is protected from jerks or mechanical shocks by
(allantois/amniotic fluid/uterine wall)
(g) The period of complete development of the foetus till birth is termed as
(gestation/reproduction/parturition)
Ans. (a) sperm (b) epididymis (c) 28th day (d) oviduct
(e) progesterone (f) amniotic fluid (g) gestation
5. Given below are sets of terms. In each case, rewrite the terms in the correct order so as to be
in logical sequence.
(a) Penis, testis, sperm duct, sperm, semen
(b) Sperm duct, penis, testis, sperm, semen
(c) Seminiferous tubules, sperm, sperm duct, accessory glands, semen, urethra
(d) Seminiferous tubule, penis, urethra, epididymis, vas deferens
(e) Graafian follicle, ostium, ovum, uterus, fallopian tube
(f) Implantation, fertilisation, ovulation, gestation
(g) Luteal phase, follicular phase, menstrual phase, ovulatory phase
(h) Implantation, ovulation, child birth, gestation, fertilisation
Ans. (a) Testis, sperm, sperm duct, semen, penis
(b) Testis, sperm, sperm duct, semen, penis
(c) Seminiferous tubules, sperm, sperm duct, accessory glands, semen, ureter
(d) Seminiferous tubules, epididymis, vas deferens, urethra, penis
(e) Graafian follicle, ovum, ostium, fallopian tube, uterus
(f) Ovulation, fertilisation, implantation, gestation

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 (g) Menstrual phase, follicular phase, ovulatory phase, luteal phase
(h) Ovulation, fertilisation, implantation, gestation, childbirth
6. Complete the following table by writing the name of the structure or the function of the
structure given.
Structure Function
(a) Fallopian tube (i)
(b) Umbilical cord (ii)
(c) (iii) Increase the force during uterine contraction
(d) Placental disc (iv)
(e) (v) Produces male gametes
(f) Corpus luteum (vi)
Ans. Structure Function
(a) Fallopian tube (i) Collects and carries egg to the uterus
(b) Umbilical cord (ii) Connects the foetus to the placenta
(c) Oxytocin (iii) Increases the force during uterine contraction
(d) Placental disc (iv) Establishes connection between foetus and mother
(e) Testis (v) Produces male gametes
(f) Corpus luteum (vi) Secretes progesterone hormone

B. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. Answer the following questions.
(a) Define reproduction.
(b) What is semen?
(c) Explain briefly the structure of sperm.
(d) How do sperm ascend in the vas deferens from epididymis?
(e) Which fluid in human body contains fructose?
(f) What is a Graafian follicle?
(g) What are the functions of uterus?
Ans. (a) Reproduction is the process by which living beings produce new individuals similar to their
own kind.
(b) Semen is a milky, alkaline, viscous and sugary fluid released from the penis during coitus. It
is a mixture of mature sperm and secretions of male accessary glands.
(c) A sperm has three main parts – head, neck and tail or flagellum.
(i) The head contains a haploid nucleus and an acrosome which contains tissue dissolving
enzymes and helps the sperm to penetrate egg during fertilisation.
(ii) The neck contains mitochondria that provide energy to the sperm while moving towards
ovum.
(iii) The tail helps the sperm to swim in the fallopian tube to reach up to the ovum.
(d) Epididymis, by alternate contractions and relaxations of its muscles pushes the sperm into the
vas deferens.
(e) Semen or seminal fluid
(f) Graafian follicle is a mature ovarian follicle which contains ovum.
(g) (i) Uterus receives and implants foetus in its endometrium.
(ii) Creates placenta.

Chapter 13: reproductive system 5

 (iii) Provides nourishment to the foetus during gestation period.
2. Give differences between the following.
(a) Semen and sperm
(b) Prostate gland and Cowper’s gland (nature of secretion)
(c) Structure of sperm and structure of ovum
(d) Menarche and menopause
(e) Graafian follicle and corpus luteum
(f) Implantation and gestation (definition)
(g) Identical twins and fraternal twins
Ans. (a) Semen is a milky, alkaline, viscous and sugary fluid released from the penis during coitus. It
is a mixture of mature sperm and secretions of male accessary glands.
Sperm are male gametes or reproductive cells that are produced in testes and are a part of
semen.
(b) Prostate gland secretes a thin, milky, alkaline fluid. It keeps sperm alive in the semen and
helps them to swim actively in the vagina.
Cowper’s glands secrete an alkaline mucous secretion. It neutralises acidic urine if present in
urethra and lubricates urethral passage and protects sperm as they pass through male urethra
during ejaculation.
(c) Sperm is a thin, long, filamentous structure differentiated into head, middle piece or neck and
tail or flagellum.
Ovum or egg is a somewhat rounded structure.
(d) Menarche is the first menstruation. It marks the beginning of reproductive phase in human
females. It begins at the age of 11–13 years.
Menopause refers to the permanent stoppage of menstrual cycle. It marks the end of
reproductive phase. It occurs at around 45–50 years of age.
(e) Graafian follicle is a mature ovarian follicle in the mammalian ovary. It is a fluid-filled
spherical vesicle that contains an oocyte or ovum attached to its wall.
Corpus luteum is an yellowish, hormone-secreting body which is formed from ruptured
Graafian follicle, after the ovulation.
(f) Implantation is the process of attachment of the blastocyst in the uterine wall, i.e., endometrium.
Gestation is the period of complete development of the foetus in mother’s uterus till birth.
(g) Identical twins develop by the division and separation of a zygote into two. Identical twins
have same genotype, same sex and same appearance.
Fraternal twins develop from two separate fertilised eggs. They have different genotypes.
They may have same sex or different sexes.
3. Mention the functions of the following.
(a) Testicles
(b) Corpus luteum
(c) Placenta
(d) Amnion
(e) Amniotic fluid
Ans. (a) Testicles or testes produce sperm and secrete male sex hormone, testosterone.
(b) Corpus luteum secretes progesterone hormone which maintains pregnancy in females.

6 ICSE BIOLOGY – X
 (c) Placenta transfers nutrients and oxygen to the developing foetus from mother. It removes
waste products and CO2 from foetus to the maternal blood supply.
(d) Amnion forms a fluid-filled sac around the embryo. It provides protective environment for
the developing embryo.
(e) Amniotic fluid serves as shock absorber. It keeps the foetus warm and provides lubrication to
the growing parts of the foetus.
4. Give reasons for the following:
(a) Testes are located in scrotal sacs outside the abdomen in human males.
(b) Twins may or may not be identical.
Ans. (a) In human males, testes lie outside the body in the scrotal sac because the temperature in the
scrotal sac remains 2–3ºC lower than the body temperature which is suitable for the maturation
of sperm.
(b) Twins are identical when they develop by the division and separation of single zygote into
two identical blastomeres, and non-identical when they develop from two separate fertilised
eggs.

C. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. What are secondary sexual characters? What are accessory glands?
Ans. Secondary sexual characters are external features that appear in boys and girls at sexual
maturity or during puberty. These develop under the influence of sex hormones, and allow us
to distinguish a male and a female. In males, secondary sexual characters appear at the age of
12–14 years, whereas in females at 10–12 years of age.
(a) Secondary Sexual Characters in Males: In boys, the secondary sexual characters that appear
during puberty at the age of 12–14 years include:
(i) appearance of beard and moustaches
(ii) growth of axillary and pubic hairs
(iii) broadening of chest and shoulders
(iv) appearance of hairs on chest, arms and legs
(v) development of a muscular body
(vi) deepening of voice
(vii) enlargement of external genitalia
(b) Secondary Sexual Characters in Females: In girls, the secondary sexual characters that appear
at the age of 10–12 years include the following:
(i) delicately curved body (ii) widening of pelvis or hip region
(iii) enlargement of breasts (iv) growth of axillary and pubic hairs
(v) sweetening of voice (vi) initiation of menstrual cycle
Accessory glands: The glands which help in the process of reproduction by their secretions are
called accessory reproductive glands. In males, they are seminal vesicles, prostate gland and
Cowper’ glands. In females, Bartholin’s glands or vestibular glands are the accessory reproductive
glands.
2. List the organs of human male and female reproductive systems.
Ans. Male reproductive organs: Testes, vasa efferentia, epididymides, vasa deferentia, penis, urethra,
seminal vesicles, prostate gland and Cowper’s glands.
Female reproductive organs: Ovaries, oviducts, uterus, vagina and vulva.

Chapter 13: reproductive system 7

 3. Give functions of (i) Acrosome, (ii) Epididymis and (iii) Seminal fluid.
Ans. Functions of
(a) Acrosome secretes tissue dissolving enzyme (lysins) to ensure entry of sperm into the egg by
dissolving the wall of ovum for fertilisation.
(b) Epididymis stores sperm prior to ejaculation where they mature and become functional and
contributes to seminal fluid.
(c) Seminal fluid contains fructose that provides nourishment to the sperm during their journey
through female genital tract.
4. Why is the number of sperm produced always more than the number of eggs produced?
Ans. In human males, about 2–4 hundred million sperm are released during single ejaculation but
only one of them succeeds to fertilise the egg. This is because several million sperm
(a) fail to travel the distance up to the oviduct.
(b) perish due to acidic environment in the uterus.
(c) enter the oviduct which does not contain the egg because only one ovum is released alternately
from each ovary.
So, to ensure fertilisation, more number of sperm are produced.
5. What is placenta? How is placenta beneficial to the foetus?
Ans. Placenta is an intimate association between the uterine wall of mother and the extraembryonic
membranes of the embryo for exchange of materials between foetus and mother blood.
(a) Placenta provides nutrients and oxygen to the foetus.
(b) Placenta removes CO2 and nitrogenous waste from foetus blood.

D. MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

Choose the correct answer.
1. Acrosome helps the sperm to
(a) locate the ovum (b) swim to the ovum
(c) penetrate the ovum (d) none of these
2. The sperm storage organ in human males is
(a) penis (b) vas deferens
(c) testis (d) epididymis
3. Which of the following is an unpaired structure?
(a) ovary (b) testes
(c) fallopian tube (d) uterus
4. Finger-like projections called fimbriae are a part of
(a) ovaries (b) epididymis
(c) fallopian tubes (d) uterus
Ans. 1. (c) 2. (d)  3. (d) 4. (c)

E. APPLICATION/SKILL-BASED QUESTIONS
1. The diagram given alongside is that of a developing human foetus in the womb. Study the
same and answer the questions that follow.
(a) Name the parts 1 to 7 indicated by guidelines.

8 ICSE BIOLOGY – X
 (b) What term is given to the period of development of the foetus
in the womb?
(c) How many days does the foetus take to fully develop?
(d) Mention two functions of the part labelled 1 other than its
endocrine function.
(e) Name any hormone produced by the part labelled 1.
(f) What are the functions of the part marked 4?
(g) What changes have occurred in the uterine wall?
(h) What is the role of part labelled 5?
Ans. (a) 1. Placenta 2. Uterine wall 3. Umbilical cord 4. Uterine cavity 5.
Amniotic fluid
6. Cervix 7. Foetus
(b) Gestation period
(c) 280 days
(d) (i) Placenta transfers nutrients and oxygen to the developing foetus from mother.
(ii) It removes waste products and CO2 from foetus to the maternal blood supply.
(e) Progesterone
(f) The uterine cavity gives a well-protected space for the complete development of embryo into
foetus till its birth.
(g) The uterine wall has become thick and spongy with rich supply of blood.
(h) The amniotic fluid acts as a cushion for the embryo and protects it from jerks and mechanical
shocks. It also prevents sticking of the foetus to the amnion.
2. The outline of the male reproductive system is given:

1
2
3
4
5

(a) Name the parts labelled 1 to 5.

(b) State the functions of the parts labelled 1 and 4.
(c) Name the cells of part 5 that produce testosterone.
(d) Why is the structure 5 present outside the body in the scrotal sacs?
(e) What is semen?
Ans. (a) 1. Seminal vesicle 2. Prostate gland 3. Urethra 4. Vas deferens 5. Testis
(b) 1. Seminal vesicles secrete an alkaline sugary fluid that forms seminal fluid for the nourishment
of the sperm through female genital duct.
4. Vas deferens transports mature sperm to the urethra from epididymis.
(c) 5. Interstitial cells or Leydig cells
(d) Testes lie outside the body in scrotal sac because the temperature in the scrotal sac remains
2–3ºC lower than the body temperature which is suitable for the maturation of sperm.
(e) Semen is white alkaline, sugary and viscous male reproductive fluid which is secreted by
male accessory glands and contains sperm.

Chapter 13: reproductive system 9

 3. Given here is a diagrammatic representation of the vertical sectional view of the female
reproductive system.
(a) Redraw the same on your answer sheet and label the following parts.
(i) Right ovary (ii) Uterus
(iii) Vagina (iv) Fallopian tube
(v) Cervix (vi) Oviducal funnel
(b) State the functions of the
(i) Placenta (ii) Amniotic fluid
(c) Using the symbol ‘X’, indicate the region in the diagram where fertilisation occurs.
Ans. (a)
Fallopian tube (X)

Oviducal funnel

Right ovary
Ulterus

Cervix

Vagina

(b) (i) Placenta provides nutrients and oxygen to the developing foetus from mother. It removes
waste products and CO2 from foetus to the maternal blood supply.
(ii) Amniotic fluid serves as a shock absorber. It keeps the foetus warm and provides
lubrication to the growing parts of the foetus.
(c) Fallopian tube or oviduct
4. The diagram shown alongside is the lateral section of a testis of man. Study it carefully and
answer the questions that follow.

(a) Label the parts 1 to 4 of the diagram.

(b) State the functions of the parts labelled 1 and 2.
(c) Draw a labelled diagram of sperm.
(d) Name the hormone produced by testes.
Ans. (a) 1. Epididymis 2. Seminiferous tubule 3. Tunica albuginea 4. Testicular lobule
(b) (i) Epididymis serves the following functions:
l It stores sperm prior to ejaculation for some days, during which they mature and become
functional and motile.

10 ICSE BIOLOGY – X
 l It serves as a duct for passage of sperm from testis to vas deferens.
l It contributes to seminal fluid.
(ii) Seminiferous tubule produces sperm.
(c) The labelled diagram of sperm is given below.
Acrosome
Nucleus

Middle piece

Head piece

Mitochondria
Flagellum
or Tail

Microtubules

(d) Testosterone

5. Given below are diagrams showing different stages in the process of fertilisation of an egg
in the female reproductive tract.

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

(a) Use the alphabets given below each diagram to show the correct order in the process of
fertilisation.
(b) Where in the female reproductive system does this process normally take place?
(c) What is the biological term for the product of fusion?
(d) What is the chromosome number of (i) the egg (ii) the fused product?
(e) Draw a neat labelled diagram of a mature human sperm.
Ans. (a) d → b → c → a
(b) Upper part of fallopian tube.
(c) Zygote
(d) The egg is haploid (n) and has 23 chromosomes while the fused product (zygote) is diploid
(2n) and has 46 chromosomes.
(e) Hint: Refer to Answer 4 (c) above.

Chapter 13: reproductive system 11