Though a number of candidates attempted question 4 their performance was generally below average. Most candidates gave a fair definition of family planning and got-an average of 2/3 marks, however, a large number of candidates confused the method of family planning practiced by males and wrote instead on those practiced by females. Again most candidates could not state the location in the female reproductive system where fertilization takes place, explain the processes leading to fertilization explain how the human foetus obtains nourishment and name excretory products of the foetus.
Some candidates who had an idea of the process of fertilization lost marks because they did not outline the process in a sequential manner e.g. stating that fertilization occurs before stating' that the ovum is released from the ovary. Expected answers include:
Family planning methods for males
Condom: Withdrawal methods, vasectomy, abstinence.
Location of Fertilization Oviduct/fallopian tube
Nourishment of the human foetus
they yoke contained in the ovum provides adequate nutrients initially; then nutrients are obtained from the contents of the uterus;
as the embryo grows the placenta develops;
the placenta is a highly vascularised tissue made up of maternal and embryonic -tissue;
an umbilical cord connects the embryo to the placenta;
through the umbilical cord pass the umbilical vein and artery;
oxygen and dissolved nutrients/named/glucose/amino acid vitamins and mineral¬- salts pass from the mother's blood to the baby's blood by diffusion.
Excretory products of Foetus
Carbon dioxide;
Nitrogenous waste/urea. -
