Why does the quality of oocytes fall as a woman ages?

Primary oocytes remain arrested in prophase I for decades, and the longer they are held there the more likely it is that the spindle fails to separate the homologous chromosomes correctly when meiosis I finally completes.

At what age does a woman's fertility begin to decline, and why does the decline steepen later?

It begins to decline from the early thirties and falls steeply after about 37, because the number of follicles remaining and the proportion of oocytes able to divide without chromosome errors are both falling at once.

State two consequences of increased non-disjunction in older oocytes.

There is a higher chance of an embryo with an abnormal chromosome number, such as trisomy 21, and a higher chance of early miscarriage.

Why is a raised FSH concentration useful as an indicator of approaching menopause?

It reflects the size of the remaining follicle pool directly, so it rises before periods stop and gives a measurable sign of declining ovarian function.

OCR A-Level Biology B H422

The Developing Cell: Cell Division and Cell Differentiation

Topic overview The cell cycle and mitosis Apoptosis in growth and repair Stem cells and cell differentiation

The Developing Individual: Meiosis, Growth and Development

Topic overview Meiosis, haploid gametes and genetic variation The stages of meiosis Antenatal care and diet in pregnancy Alcohol, smoking and monitoring fetal growth Prenatal screening and karyotypes

The Development of Species: Evolution and Classification

Topic overview Classification and the species concept Evidence for classification and DNA barcoding Phylogenetic trees, hominids and the evolution of language Human adaptations, natural selection and evolution Plant adaptations and how they are investigated Measuring biodiversity and genetic diversity

Cells and Microscopy

Topic overview Microscopy and the cell theory Blood smears, staining and microscope drawings Blood cells and their structure Magnification and measuring cells Haemocytometer cell counts and dilutions Flow cytometry in blood analysis Ultrastructure of the animal cell Plant and prokaryotic cells Membrane lipids and the fluid mosaic model Movement of molecules across membranes The roles of membranes and the secretion of proteins

Water and Its Importance in Plants and Animals

Topic overview The properties of water Water as a transport medium and the composition of body fluids Detecting and measuring sugars and proteins Monomers, polymers and the carbohydrates Osmosis and water potential

Proteins and Enzymes

Topic overview Amino acids, peptide bonds and chromatography Globular protein structure: enzymes and haemoglobin Enzyme action and the rate of reaction Blood clotting and first aid Enzymes and inhibitors in medicine Blood donation and stored blood products

Nucleic Acids

Topic overview Nucleotides, ADP and ATP The structure of DNA and its extraction DNA replication and the genetic code RNA, transcription and translation

Patterns of Inheritance

Topic overview Monogenic inheritance and genetic terminology Gene mutations and inherited disease Codominance, multiple alleles and linkage Model organisms, dihybrid crosses and the chi-squared test Chromosome mutations and genetic counselling

Population Genetics and Epigenetics

Topic overview Natural selection, sickle cell and malaria The Hardy-Weinberg principle Genetic drift, the founder effect and speciation Epigenetics and gene expression

Gene Technologies

Topic overview Post-Transcriptional Editing of mRNA Genetic modification of bacteria and insulin production The polymerase chain reaction and gel electrophoresis Haplotypes, SNPs, VNTRs and genetic engineering in eukaryotes Gene therapy and RNA interference

The Principles and Importance of Homeostasis

Topic overview Homeostatic principles, normal ranges and feedback The nervous and hormonal control of heart rate The control of body temperature and the role of thyroxine Measuring core body temperature, hypothermia and hyperthermia

The Hormonal Control of Blood Glucose and the Management of Diabetes

Topic overview The pancreas as an endocrine gland The regulation of blood glucose by negative feedback Types of diabetes and diagnostic testing Treating and managing diabetes

Kidney Functions and Malfunctions

Topic overview Excretion and the gross structure of the kidney The nephron: ultrafiltration and selective reabsorption Investigating the composition of urine, plasma and filtrate Osmoregulation and the action of ADH The kidney as an endocrine gland and kidney failure Dialysis, transplantation and the future of transplant surgery

The Cellular Basis of Cancer and Treatment

Topic overview Risk factors for non-communicable disease Cell cycle control and tumour formation Proto-oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes Epidemiological evidence, screening and genetic testing Methods used to detect cancer Treating patients with cancer

Respiratory Diseases and Treatment

Topic overview Pollutants and the respiratory system COPD, asthma and lung cancer Treating asthma and medicinal drugs from plants Clinical trials and the role of NICE

Cellular Respiration

Topic overview Glycolysis and the link reaction The Krebs cycle Oxidative phosphorylation and anaerobic respiration Respiratory substrates and respiratory quotients Measuring the rate of respiration

Metabolism and Exercise

Topic overview The consequences of exercise on the body Aerobic fitness and VO₂ max Training, F.I.T.T. factors and investigating fitness Enhancing athletic performance Haemoglobin and the transport of oxygen Oxygen dissociation curves of different respiratory pigments Oxygen deficit and oxygen debt The structure of skeletal muscle The sliding filament theory of muscle contraction

Pathogenic Microorganisms

Topic overview How pathogens cause communicable disease Tuberculosis HIV, AIDS and the structure of the virus Identifying bacteria: Gram staining and culture Epidemiology: incidence, prevalence and mortality Notifiable diseases and the control of HIV and TB

The Immune System

Topic overview Primary defences and non-specific responses B and T lymphocytes and the specific response Antibodies and testing for TB and HIV Types of immunity and allergy

Controlling Communicable Diseases

Topic overview Vaccination and vaccination programmes Problems and ethics of vaccine development and use Antibiotics and antibiotic resistance Investigating antibiotics, disinfectants and hygiene

Photosynthesis, Food Production and Management of the Environment

Topic overview Chloroplast ultrastructure and photosynthetic pigments The light-dependent stage of photosynthesis The Calvin cycle Investigating the factors affecting photosynthesis The Hill reaction and DCPIP Using TP and GP to build carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids The compensation point and crop production Microorganisms, the nitrogen cycle and biosensors Biomass transfer and efficiency in food production Ruminants in the human food chain Farms as ecosystems and the conflict with conservation Deflected succession and measuring biodiversity

The Impact of Population Increase

Topic overview Birth rate, death rate and demographic change Human impact on ecosystems and biodiversity The importance and measurement of species biodiversity Global food security and sustainable food production

Planning and Implementing Practical Work

Topic overview Designing an investigation and controlling variables Choosing apparatus and judging whether a method will work Implementing: apparatus, units and recording results

Analysing and Evaluating Practical Results

Topic overview Processing and interpreting experimental results Mathematical skills for analysing biological data Significant figures and reporting values Plotting and interpreting graphs Anomalies, limitations and refining a procedure Precision, accuracy and uncertainty

Practical Skills, Apparatus and Techniques

Topic overview Investigative approaches and working safely Following instructions, recording and presenting data Research, referencing and processing data with software Measuring mass, volume, time, temperature, length and pH Colorimeters and potometers Laboratory glassware and serial dilutions Light microscopy, graticules and biological drawing Qualitative reagents for biological molecules Chromatography and electrophoresis Aseptic technique and dissection Whole-organism responses, fieldwork sampling and data logging

Fertility and Assisted Reproduction

Topic overview The urinogenital systems and gonad histology Gametogenesis and the structure of the gametes Hormonal control of gametogenesis and the menstrual cycle Fertilisation and pregnancy testing The causes and issues of infertility Assisted reproduction techniques

The Effects of Ageing on the Reproductive System

Topic overview Ageing and the female reproductive system Managing the menopause Ageing and the male urinogenital system

Plant Reproduction

Topic overview The control of flowering Adaptations of flowers for pollination Fertilisation, seed formation and germination Cereals as staple foods

The Nervous System and the Identification and Consequences of Damage

Topic overview Organisation of the nervous system and nervous tissue The structure and function of the human brain The structure of motor, sensory and relay neurones Resting potential and the action potential Synapses and the integration of responses Reflexes, reaction times and their investigation Brain scans and the consequences of nervous system damage Drugs, brain function and dependency

Monitoring Visual Function

Topic overview The structure of the eye The retina and its role as a transducer Assessing visual function by routine eye tests

The Effect of Ageing on the Nervous System

Topic overview Alzheimer's disease: symptoms and causes The effects of ageing on the senses and memory Investigating ageing, reaction times and memory

The Heart and Monitoring Heart Function

Topic overview The need for a mass transport system Structure and dissection of the mammalian heart The cardiac cycle Initiation and coordination of the heartbeat Heart rate, pulse rate and cardiac output Electrocardiograms and emergency cardiac treatment

Transport Systems in Mammals

Topic overview The closed double circulatory system Blood vessels and their microscopic structure Tissue fluid and capillary exchange Measuring and interpreting blood pressure

Gas Exchange in Mammals and Plants

Topic overview Tissues of the mammalian gas exchange system Gas exchange in the alveoli Pulmonary ventilation and lung volumes Expired air resuscitation Gas exchange and stomata in terrestrial plants

Transport Systems in Plants

Topic overview The need for transport systems in plants Vascular tissue in roots, stems and leaves Water uptake and movement through the plant Transpiration and Its Measurement Translocation in the Phloem

The Effects of Ageing on the Reproductive System

3 subtopics
9 things to know
Components 01, 02 and 03

What The Effects of Ageing on the Reproductive System covers

The Effects of Ageing on the Reproductive System is examined in all three written papers — the specification states that Components 01, 02 and 03 can each assess content from any of the five modules, so nothing is confined to one paper. It covers ageing and the female reproductive system, managing the menopause and ageing and the male urinogenital system.

Where it is assessed

Components 01, 02 and 03

Every module can be assessed on any of the three papers.

Check the OCR specification ↗

The 3 subtopics

Each one has its own page.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

Describe how the number of oocytes in the ovaries changes over a woman's lifetime.

Key term

Why does the risk of osteoporosis rise sharply after the menopause?

Key term

Why is the decision to take hormone replacement therapy described as a balance of risk and benefit?

Key term

Give one difficulty with relying on phytoestrogen supplements.

Key term

Describe how testosterone concentration changes with age in men, and contrast this with the female menopause.

Key term

Why do FSH and LH tend to rise in older men?

Key term

How does nitric oxide bring about an erection?

Key term

Why does blood FSH concentration rise as a woman approaches the menopause?

Key term

Why is a progestogen given alongside oestrogen to a woman who still has a uterus?

Take The Effects of Ageing on the Reproductive System further

The same content, four other ways.

Commonly confused

Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.

Perimenopause vs Menopause
Perimenopause: the transitional years of widely fluctuating hormones and irregular, often anovulatory cycles, during which pregnancy is still possible. Menopause: the permanent end of menstruation, diagnosed once twelve consecutive months have passed with no period.
Oestrogen-only HRT vs Combined HRT
Oestrogen-only HRT: hormone replacement given without a progestogen, suitable just for a woman whose uterus has been removed. Combined HRT: hormone replacement in which a progestogen is added, needed whenever the uterus is still present so that its lining is not driven to proliferate unopposed.
Benign prostate hyperplasia vs Prostate cancer
Benign prostate hyperplasia: a non-cancerous increase in the number of cells of the gland, enlarging it and obstructing the urethra, which does not invade or spread. Prostate cancer: a malignant growth of the gland whose cells can invade the surrounding tissue and spread elsewhere in the body.

Questions from this topic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
Describe how the number of oocytes in the ovaries changes over a woman's lifetime.
Model answer
All the primary oocytes, around one to two million, are present before birth, and the number falls continuously from then on, so only a few hundred are ever ovulated and almost none remain by the menopause.
2
Why does the quality of oocytes fall as a woman ages?
Model answer
Primary oocytes remain arrested in prophase I for decades, and the longer they are held there the more likely it is that the spindle fails to separate the homologous chromosomes correctly when meiosis I finally completes.
3
At what age does a woman's fertility begin to decline, and why does the decline steepen later?
Model answer
It begins to decline from the early thirties and falls steeply after about 37, because the number of follicles remaining and the proportion of oocytes able to divide without chromosome errors are both falling at once.
4
State two consequences of increased non-disjunction in older oocytes.
Model answer
There is a higher chance of an embryo with an abnormal chromosome number, such as trisomy 21, and a higher chance of early miscarriage.
5
Why does blood FSH concentration rise as a woman approaches the menopause?
Model answer
Fewer follicles remain to be recruited, so less oestrogen and less inhibin are secreted, the negative feedback on the anterior pituitary weakens and more FSH is released.
6
Why is a raised FSH concentration useful as an indicator of approaching menopause?
Model answer
It reflects the size of the remaining follicle pool directly, so it rises before periods stop and gives a measurable sign of declining ovarian function.

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The Developing Cell: Cell Division and Cell Differentiation

The Developing Individual: Meiosis, Growth and Development

The Development of Species: Evolution and Classification

Cells and Microscopy

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measles and .

tuberculosismalariacholera

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Core body temperature is normally about 37 °C.

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The Effects of Ageing on the Reproductive System revision questions

What does The Effects of Ageing on the Reproductive System cover in OCR A-Level Biology B?: 3 subtopics: ageing and the female reproductive system, managing the menopause and ageing and the male urinogenital system. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
How is The Effects of Ageing on the Reproductive System organised?: By the OCR H422 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.

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