Biology Matters for G.C.E.

'O' Level - Internet Links (Ch 17)

Internet Links

Chapter 17 Reproduction in Humans

New Studies on Ovulation - Internet Link on page 324

A study has found that women may ovulate more than once per cycle. The study also suggests a
possible explanation for why some women reach the menopause early, and why non-identical twins are
so common. Read more about it:
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn3927

Test Tube Babies - Internet Link on page 326

On 25th July 1978, Louise Joy Brown, the world's first successful test tube baby was born in England.
Babies that are the result of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) are called test tube babies. Read more about IVF
and test tube babies on the following website:
http://www.answers.com/topic/in-vitro-fertilisation
On 21 December 2006, Louise Brown gave birth to her first child, who was naturally conceived. Read
more about it:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16634910/

Childbirth - Internet Link on page 330

The stages of birth

Pregnancy or the gestation period, the time between fertilisation and birth, is about nine months.
Parturition or childbirth is caused by the hormone oxytocin secreted by the pituitary glands. Towards
the end of nine months of pregnancy the fetus rotates so that the head is lying just above the cervix.
Birth takes place in three stages.

The stages of birth in a normal delivery

Stage 1 - The head lies just above the cervix. Stage 2 (a) The head comes out first.

Stage 2 (b) The baby is delivered. Stage 3 - The placenta and umbilical cord are
discharged some time later.

 2007 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Page 1 of 2

Biology Matters for G.C.E. 'O' Level - Internet Links (Ch 17)

Stage 1
The muscles of the uterine wall begin to contract. The contractions are at first gradual and then they
become stronger and more frequent. The cervix dilates. The amnion bursts and the amniotic fluids flow
out. The first stage ends when the cervix is of the same diameter as the head of the fetus.

Stage 2
More vigorous contractions of the uterine wall push the baby through the cervix and vagina and out of
the mother's body. This is called delivery and it usually happens fairly quickly.

After delivery, the umbilical cord is tied close to the baby’s body and cut.

Stage 3
The placenta is still attached to the uterus. Further contractions of the uterus detach it and it is expelled
through the vagina with the remainder of the umbilical cord. These expelled structures are called the
afterbirth.

At the time of birth much of the baby's skeleton is made of cartilage. Cartilage is elastic and flexible. It
is less likely to be damaged by the vigorous contraction and squeezing of the uterus. This enables the
baby to be forced through the cervix and vagina more easily during the birth process.

After birth the pituitary gland secretes the hormones prolactin as well as oxytocin. Prolactin stimulates
the breasts to produce milk while oxytocin causes the uterus to contract back to its normal size.

Breast-feeding - Internet Link on page 330

Breast-feeding is the act of feeding a young child human milk from a woman's breasts. The advantages
of breast-feeding over bottle-feeding are as follows:
 For the first few days after birth, the breasts secrete a thick fluid called colostrum which contains
antibodies to protect the baby against certain diseases, e.g. measles.
 Mother’s milk is free from harmful bacteria.
 Mother’s milk is more easily digested by the baby than cow's milk.
 The baby is less likely to be allergic to its mother's milk. Some babies become allergic and
develop convulsions after feeding on cow’s milk.
 The baby develops a sense of closeness to the mother whilst feeding and this helps in the baby's
emotional development.

Information on AIDS - Internet Link on page 335

Find out information about AIDS

http://www.aids.org/FactSheets/

 2007 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Page 2 of 2