Methods of Birth Control and Reproductive Health
Chemical:
- Contraceptive pills, containing oestrogen and progesterone, prevent ovulation
- Spermicides, a creamy substance that kills sperm
Mechanical:
- Condoms, sheath of rubber placed on penis
- Diaphragms, a dome-shaped piece of rubber
- Femidom, like a condom for females
- IUD (Intra Uterine Device), prevents implantation
Surgical:
- Vasectomy, sperm ducts are cut and tied
- Female sterilization, oviducts are cut and tied
Artificial insemination:
Fertilization takes place outside the female’s body
Fertility drugs:
Contain female hormones to stimulate ovum production
Social implications of fertility drugs:
Parents interested in genetically related offspring
Gonorrhea:
- Symptoms/signs: burning sensation, soreness, discharge
- Long term effects: pelvic inflammatory disease, arthritis
- Treatment: antibiotics, condom use, genital hygiene
HIV:
- Transferred by: intercourse, blood transfusion, organ transplant, sharing needles
- To prevent spread: avoid intercourse, use condoms, avoid needle sharing
HIV virus weakens immune system, making person vulnerable to disease
Define growth:
Permanent increase in size and dry mass by cell number or size increase
Define development:
Increase in complexity, including cell specialization
Conditions for seed germination:
- Water, oxygen, suitable temperature
Define inheritance:
Transmission of genetic information from generation to generation
Chromosome:
Thread of DNA, made up of genes
Gene:
Length of DNA that codes for a specific protein
Allele:
Alternative forms of a gene
Haploid nucleus:
Contains a single set of unpaired chromosomes
Diploid nucleus:
Contains two sets of chromosomes
Define mitosis:
Nuclear division giving rise to genetically identical cells
Define meiosis:
Reduction division halving chromosome number
Gametes result from meiosis, leading to genetic variation
Genotype:
Genetic makeup of an organism in terms of alleles present
Phenotype:
Physical features of an organism due to genotype and environment
Homozygous:
Having two identical alleles of a gene
Heterozygous:
Having two different alleles of a gene
Dominant:
Expressed when present
Recessive:
Expressed only in absence of dominant allele