Read the passage and answer the following questions:
Successful implementation of various action plans to attain reproductive health requires strong infrastructural facilities, professional expertise and material support. These are essential to provide medical assistance and care to people in reproduction-related problems like pregnancy, delivery, STDs, abortions, contraception, menstrual problems, infertility, etc. Implementation of better techniques and new strategies from time to time are also required to provide more efficient care and assistance to people. Statutory ban on amniocentesis for sex-determination to legally check increasing menace of female foeticides, massive child immunisation, etc., are some programmes that merit mention in this connection. In aminocentesis some of the amniotic fluid of the developing foetus is taken to analyse the fetal cells and dissolved substances.
What is amniocentesis?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → A procedure in which some of the amniotic fluid of the developing foetus is taken for analysis
The passage states that in amniocentesis “some of the amniotic fluid of the developing foetus is taken to analyse the fetal cells and dissolved substances”. The amniotic fluid surrounds the foetus and carries its cells, so a small sample tells about the foetus.
Option (1) A procedure in which a sperm is directly injected into the ovum — Incorrect. Injecting a sperm directly into the ovum is intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), an assisted reproductive technology.
Option (2) A procedure in which some of the amniotic fluid of the developing foetus is taken for analysis — Correct. This is amniocentesis, the test the passage describes.
Option (3) A procedure in which semen is artificially introduced into the uterus — Incorrect. Introducing semen artificially into the uterus is intra-uterine insemination (IUI), a form of artificial insemination.
Option (4) A procedure in which an embryo with more than 8 blastomeres is transferred into the uterus — Incorrect. Transferring an embryo with more than 8 blastomeres into the uterus is intra uterine transfer (IUT), used after in vitro fertilisation.