Q.(a) Name any two copper releasing intra-uterine devices. State two reasons that make them effective contraceptives.
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Part (a)Concept understanding — Reproductive Health
Reproductive Health Significance — A First Look
Think of health as a state of complete well-being — not just the absence of disease. Now apply that to the part of your life that involves reproduction, the biological process by which new individuals are created. That is reproductive health: it is not merely about being free from infections or disorders of the reproductive system. It means having a healthy body, a clear understanding of reproductive processes, and the ability to make informed, responsible choices.
The NCERT textbook defines reproductive health as "a total well-being in all aspects of reproduction — physical, emotional, behavioural, and social." That is the core idea. It is not a narrow medical term; it is a broad, positive concept that touches every person, regardless of gender or age.
Why does it matter?
Reproductive health is significant because it directly affects the quality of life of individuals, families, and communities. When people are reproductively healthy, they can:
- Make informed decisions about marriage, family size, and childbearing.
- Prevent and manage sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS.
- Avoid unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions, which are major causes of maternal death.
- Ensure safe motherhood — proper care during pregnancy, delivery, and after birth reduces risks for both mother and child.
- Recognise and address problems like infertility, menstrual disorders, or reproductive cancers early.
Reproductive health is not only about problems. It also includes positive aspects like sexual well-being, the ability to have a satisfying and safe sex life, and the freedom to decide if, when, and how often to reproduce.
The bigger picture
On a national scale, reproductive health is linked to population control, maternal and child mortality rates, and the spread of diseases. The Indian government has run programmes like the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) programme to improve access to services, education, and contraception. The goal is not just to reduce numbers — it is to ensure that every birth is wanted, every pregnancy is safe, and every child is healthy.
Reproductive health is a fundamental right, not a privilege. It requires awareness, access to healthcare, and the removal of social taboos that prevent open discussion.
Key components you should know
- Family planning — spacing and limiting births through contraception. …
Part (b)Concept understanding — Self Incompatibility Genetics
Imagine you are a plant. You cannot walk over to a neighbour and exchange pollen. Instead, you rely on wind, bees, or butterflies to carry your pollen to another flower. But here is the problem: if that pollen lands on your own stigma (the female part of the same flower, or a flower on the same plant), you might end up fertilising yourself. That would be like marrying your sibling — it leads to weak, inbred offspring. Plants have evolved a clever way to prevent this: self-incompatibility.
At its core, self-incompatibility is a plant's built-in "no-self-marriage" rule. It is a genetic mechanism that allows the pistil (the female organ) to recognise and reject pollen from the same plant (or a genetically identical plant). The pollen grain may land on the stigma, but the plant actively blocks it — the pollen tube fails to grow, or the ovule is not fertilised. The result is that only pollen from a different, genetically distinct plant can successfully fertilise the ovules.
This is not a random failure. It is a precise, genetically controlled rejection system. The NCERT textbook (Class 12 Biology, Chapter 2) describes it as "the inability of a plant with a functional male and female reproductive system to produce seeds when self-pollinated." In other words, the plant is perfectly fertile — it just refuses to mate with itself.
Self-incompatibility is not the same as male sterility. In male sterility, the plant produces no functional pollen. In self-incompatibility, the pollen is perfectly viable — it just gets rejected by the plant's own stigma.
Why does this matter? Because it forces cross-pollination — pollen from one plant to another. This ensures genetic diversity, which is the raw material for evolution. A diverse population is more resilient to diseases, pests, and changing climates. For farmers and plant breeders, self-incompatibility is both a challenge and a tool. It makes it harder to produce pure inbred lines (since the plant refuses to self-pollinate), but it also makes hybrid seed production easier — you can plant two varieties together and let nature enforce cross-pollination.
The genetics behind it can be simple or complex, but the core idea is this:
- There is a single gene (called the S-locus) with many different versions (alleles) in the population.
- If the pollen carries an S-allele that matches either of the two S-alleles in the pistil, the pollen is rejected.
- If the pollen carries a different S-allele (one not present in the pistil), it is accepted and fertilisation proceeds.
So, a plant with S1 and S2 alleles will reject pollen carrying S1 or S2, but accept pollen carrying S3, S4, S5, etc. This is called gametophytic self-incompatibility (common in many fruits like apples, pears, and tomatoes). There is also sporophytic self-incompatibility (seen in cabbage, mustard, and sunflowers), where the rejection is determined by the pollen parent's genetics, not the pollen grain's own S-allele. …
Part (a)
Two copper-releasing IUDs: CuT (Copper T) and Multiload 375 (also Cu7).
Two reasons they are effective contraceptives:
- Released copper (Cu) ions suppress sperm motility and reduce their fertilising capacity. …
Part (a): Copper-releasing IUDs (CuT, Multiload 375) are effective contraceptives because released Cu ions suppress sperm motility/fertilising capacity and make the uterus unsuitable for sperm survival and implantation.
Part (b): Flowering plants use outbreeding devices such as dichogamy and self-incompatibility to prevent self-pollination and encourage cross-pollination, ensuring genetic diversity.
Part (a)
Two copper-releasing intra-uterine devices (IUDs): CuT (Copper T) and Multiload 375 (Cu7 is another).
Why they are effective contraceptives:
- The copper ions they release suppress sperm motility and reduce the fertilising capacity of sperm.
- They provoke an inflammatory/phagocytic response so that sperm are engulfed in the uterus, and they render the endometrium unsuitable for implantation and the cervix hostile to sperm. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 21 on this concept.
- CBSE 2026Set 57/2/11 markMCQQ.How many of the following features are related to Nirodh – a popular brand of condoms ?(i) Prevention of sexually transmitted infections.(ii) Phagocytosis of sperms.(iii) Male contraceptive device.(iv) Acts as chemical barrier.(v) Physiological changes in cervical mucus. (A) (i), (ii),(iv) (B)(i) and(iii) (C) (i), (ii),(v) (D)(ii) and (iv)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Nirodh is a male contraceptive device (condom) that prevents sexually transmitted infections by acting as a physical barrier; it does not involve phagocytosis, chemical action, or physiological changes in cervical mucus.
Nirodh holds a special place in India's reproductive health history as one of the earliest and most widely promoted brands of condoms under the national family planning programme. Launched in the 1960s, the name itself—derived from the Sanskrit word for "prevention"—reflected the government's effort to make contraception culturally acceptable and accessible. Understanding what condoms actually do, versus what they don't, is essential to answering this question correctly.
Condoms are barrier contraceptives. They work by creating a physical sheath that prevents sperm from entering the female reproductive tract. Because they block direct contact between genital surfaces and bodily fluids, they also offer protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV, gonorrhea, and syphilis. This dual function—contraception and disease prevention—makes them unique among contraceptive methods. So feature (i) Prevention of sexually transmitted infections is absolutely correct for Nirodh.
As a device worn by the male partner during intercourse, Nirodh is clearly a (iii) Male contraceptive device. This is straightforward and indisputable.
Now let's examine what condoms do not do. Feature (ii) Phagocytosis of sperms refers to the engulfing and destruction of sperm cells by immune cells—a biological process that has nothing to do with barrier methods. Phagocytosis occurs naturally in the female reproductive tract as part of the immune response, but it is not a mechanism employed by condoms. Condoms simply block sperm mechanically; they don't trigger or involve any cellular immune activity. …
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.A genetic mechanism which prevents inbreeding depression in majority of angiospermic plants is ________.(a) Parthenogenesis(b) Parthenocarpy(c) Mutation(d) Self-Incompatibility
›Reveal solutionSolution
Self-incompatibility is a genetic mechanism by which the stigma recognises and rejects self-pollen (or pollen from a genetically similar plant), so that flowers are forced to be cross-pollinated — this maintains genetic variability and prevents inbreeding depression.
In many flowering plants, especially those that are bisexual and where the anther and stigma mature at the same time, there is a strong chance of self-pollination (autogamy). To avoid the inbreeding depression that would result from continued self-fertilisation, angiosperms have evolved several devices to encourage cross-pollination, of which self-incompatibility is genetically the most important.
- Self-incompatibility (SI) is a genetic mechanism that prevents both autogamy and geitonogamy: it operates through a pollen-pistil interaction in which self-pollen grains (or their pollen tubes) are recognised as 'self' and are inhibited from germinating on the stigma, or their pollen tubes are arrested in the style, so fertilisation of that flower's own ovules by its own pollen does not take place. …
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markQ.Fill in the blank: ______ a contraceptive tablet developed by the Central Drug Research Institute of Lucknow in India.
›Reveal solutionSolution
The contraceptive tablet developed by CDRI, Lucknow is Saheli.
Saheli is an important indigenous contraceptive achievement of India. It is a non-steroidal, once-a-week oral pill developed by the scientists of the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) at Lucknow. It has few side e …
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Which one of the following involves the transfer of genetically different pollen grains to the stigma?(a) Geitonogamy(b) Cleistogamy(c) Chasmogamy(d) Xenogamy
›Reveal solutionSolution
Transfer of genetically different pollen (from another plant) to a stigma is xenogamy — true cross-pollination.
The three kinds of pollination based on pollen source are:
- Autogamy — pollen transferred to the stigma of the same flower (genetically identical).
- Geitonogamy — pollen transferred to another flower of the same plant; genetically it is still self-pollination. …
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Geitonogamy involves transfer of pollen grains :(a) from anther to stigma of the same flower.(b) from anther to stigma of another flower on the same plant.(c) from anther to stigma of a flower on a different plant of the same species.(d) between flowers of different species.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Geitonogamy transfers pollen from the anther of one flower to the stigma of a different flower on the same plant, so (b) is correct.
The CBSE/NCERT Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants chapter names three pollination types:
- Autogamy — anther to stigma of the same flower (option a).
- Geitonogamy — anther to stigma of another flower on the same plant (option b). Genetically it is like self-pollination (same plant), but it functionally needs a pollinator. …
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Diaphragms are contraceptive devices used by females. Which of the following statement is correct about diaphragm?(a) They are introduced into the uterus to prevent implantation.(b) They are placed to cover the cervical region and act as a physical barrier for sperm entry.(c) They act as spermicidal agents.(d) They prevent ovulation by hormonal regulation.
›Reveal solutionSolution
A diaphragm is a barrier contraceptive that fits over the cervix and physically stops sperm from entering the female tract, so (b) is correct.
In the CBSE/NCERT Reproductive Health chapter, contraceptives are grouped as natural, barrier, IUD, hormonal (pills), and surgical. Diaphragms, cervical caps and vaults are barrier methods made of rubber that are inserted to cover the cervix, physically blocking sperm entry. They are reusable and are often used with a spermicidal cream/jelly for extra effect — but the diaphr …
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markQ.Write True or False. Surgical methods of contraception prevent gamete formation.
›Reveal solutionSolution
False — sterilisation surgery blocks the vas deferens or fallopian tubes so gametes cannot meet; sperm and eggs are still formed.
In the CBSE/NCERT Reproductive Health chapter, surgical (terminal) contraception means:
- Vasectomy — the vas deferens is cut and tied, so sperm cannot travel out (though the testes keep producing sperm).
- Tubectomy — the fallopian tubes are cut and tied, so the ovum cannot travel down (though the ovary keeps ovulating). …
- CBSE 2025Set 57/4/11 markMCQQ.Assertion (A) : 'Saheli', an oral contraceptive inhibits ovulation and increases phagocytosis of sperms. Reason (R) : It is a non-steroidal preparation.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Saheli is a non-steroidal, once-a-week oral contraceptive, so the Reason (R) is true. But "increasing phagocytosis of sperms" is an action of intrauterine devices (IUDs), not of Saheli, which makes the Assertion (A) false. The correct assertion–reason code is therefore (D): A is false, R is true.
This assertion–reason question, a common NCERT-based CBSE Class 12 pattern, tests whether you can separate the mechanism of the oral pill 'Saheli' from the mechanism of an IUD.
What NCERT actually says about Saheli
Saheli is described as a 'once-a-week' oral contraceptive for females that contains a non-steroidal preparation, with very few side effects and high contraceptive value. NCERT does not credit Saheli with increasing phagocytosis of sperms. General oral pills act mainly by inhibiting ovulation and implantation and by altering the cervical mucus so that the entry of sperms is retarded — not by phagocytosis of sperms.
Where 'phagocytosis of sperms' really belongs
In NCERT, the phrase "increase phagocytosis of sperms within the uterus" is used specifically for intrauterine devices (IUDs). Copper-releasing IUDs increase the phagocytosis of sperms in the uterus, and the released Cu ions suppress sperm motility and the fertilising capacity of sperms. Hormone-releasing IUDs additionally make the uterus unsuitable for implantation and the cervix hostile to sperms.
Evaluating the statements …
- CBSE 2025Set 57/5/11 markMCQQ.Assertion (A) : Cu-T, Cu-7 and LNG-20 are the most widely used copper-releasing IUDs. Reason (R) : Cu-ions in IUDs effectively suppress sperm motility and the fertilising capacity of sperms.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Copper-releasing IUDs work by releasing Cu²⁺ ions that impair sperm function and prevent fertilisation; both the assertion about widely used IUDs and the reason explaining their mechanism are correct and linked.
The question tests your understanding of intrauterine devices (IUDs) as a contraceptive method, specifically the mechanism by which copper-releasing IUDs prevent pregnancy. This is a classic assertion-reason question where you need to evaluate two statements: whether each is true, and whether the reason correctly explains the assertion.
Let's first understand what makes copper IUDs effective. When a copper-releasing IUD is placed in the uterus, it continuously releases cupric ions (Cu²⁺) into the uterine and tubal fluids. These ions create a hostile environment for sperm in multiple ways: they damage sperm membranes, reduce sperm motility (movement), and critically impair the sperm's ability to undergo capacitation and the acrosome reaction—both essential for fertilisation. The copper ions also trigger a local inflammatory response that further enhances the contraceptive effect. Importantly, this is primarily a spermicidal mechanism, not an abortifacient one; fertilisation itself is prevented.
Now let's evaluate each statement:
Evaluating Assertion (A):
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Cu-T is indeed one of the most common copper IUDs, shaped like the letter T with copper wire wound around the stem.
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Cu-7 (also called Copper-7) was historically significant and widely used, though it has been largely replaced by newer models in many countries. It had a "7" shape.
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LNG-20 refers to the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (Mirena being a brand name), which releases 20 μg of the hormone levonorgestrel per day. Here's the critical point: LNG-20 is not a copper-releasing IUD—it's a hormonal IUD.
The assertion mixes copper IUDs (Cu-T, Cu-7) with a hormonal IUD (LNG-20). While all three are IUDs, only the first two release copper. More accurate examples of copper IUDs would be Cu-T 380A, Cu-375, or Multiload 375.
Watch outA common confusion: not all IUDs work the same way. Copper IUDs release Cu²⁺ ions, while hormonal IUDs like LNG-20 release progestogen. They have different mechanisms of action.
Evaluating Reason (R):
The reason states that Cu-ions suppress sperm motility and fertilising capacity. This is absolutely correct. The mechanism includes:
- Direct toxic effect on sperm
- Inhibition of sperm motility
- Interference with sperm metabolism
- Prevention of sperm capacitation
- Alteration of cervical mucus
- Changes in the endometrium that prevent implantation (secondary mechanism) …
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- CBSE 2025Set 57/6/11 markMCQQ.Assertion (A) : Male contraceptive 'Nirodh' works on the principle of avoiding chances of ovum and sperm meeting. Reason (R) : It is made of thin rubber/latex sheath and is used to cover the penis before coitus.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Both the assertion and the reason are correct, and the reason accurately explains how the male contraceptive 'Nirodh' prevents conception by acting as a physical barrier.
Reproductive health encompasses a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being in all matters relating to the reproductive system, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. A crucial aspect of reproductive health is family planning, which often involves contraception – methods designed to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Contraceptive methods work on various principles, but a fundamental one is preventing the union of male gametes (sperm) and female gametes (ova).
The Assertion (A) states that the male contraceptive 'Nirodh' works on the principle of avoiding the chances of ovum and sperm meeting. This is entirely correct. 'Nirodh' is a brand name for a male condom, which falls under the category of barrier methods of contraception. Barrier methods, as their name suggests, physically prevent the sperm from reaching the ovum. For conception to occur, a sperm must fertilize an ovum. By creating a physical obstruction, condoms ensure that the ejaculated semen, which contains sperm, does not enter the female reproductive tract, thereby effectively preventing the meeting of the gametes.
NoteBarrier methods are highly effective when used correctly and consistently. They also offer the added benefit of protecting against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), a crucial aspect of overall reproductive health.
The Reason (R) explains that 'Nirodh' is made of a thin rubber/latex sheath and is used to cover the penis before coitus. This statement accurately describes the composition and application of a male condom. The thin, elastic material (rubber or latex) is designed to be strong enough to contain the semen while being flexible and comfortable for use. When placed over the erect penis before sexual intercourse, it acts as a physical barrier. …
- CBSE 2025Set A1 markMCQQ.What is the age duration of adolescence?(a) 0 - 11 years(b) 12 - 18 years(c) 19 - 45 years(d) 45 - 70 years
›Reveal solutionSolution
Adolescence is the period of transition from childhood to adulthood, roughly the teenage years.
Adolescence is marked by the onset of puberty, rapid physical growth, and significant physiological, hormonal, and psychological changes as an individual matures from a child into an adult. Of the given options, the span that correctly represents this transitional teenage period is 12 to 18 years. This period is important in the study of reproductive health because reproducti …
- CBSE 2025Set A1 markQ.Fill in the blank with the correct answer: Physical, emotional, behavioural and social well being refers to ______.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Reproductive health is defined by the WHO as complete physical, emotional, behavioural and social well-being related to reproduction, not merely the absence of disease.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines reproductive health in a broad sense: a person (or couple) who is reproductively healthy has healthy reproductive organs functioning normally, and also experiences emotional and behavioural well-being in matters related to sex/reproduction, along with the social maturity and responsibility to make informed reproductive decisions. This is much more than the mere absence of disease or a functioni …
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