Part 1 — Male & Female Reproductive Systems: External and Internal Anatomy (25 MCQs)

Chapter 2 — Human Reproduction: Main subtopics (for the 8 parts)

1. Male and female reproductive systems — external and internal anatomy (Part 1)
2. Microscopic anatomy of testis and ovary; histology (Part 2)
3. Gametogenesis — spermatogenesis and oogenesis, hormonal control (Part 3)
4. Menstrual cycle — phases, hormonal regulation, disorders (Part 4)
5. Fertilisation, embryo development up to blastocyst (Part 5)
6. Implantation, pregnancy and placenta formation (elementary) (Part 6)
7. Parturition and lactation (elementary) and birth control (Part 7)
8. Integrated NEET-level practice (mixed application, assertion–reason, clinical vignettes) (Part 8)

Part 1 — Male & Female Reproductive Systems: External and Internal Anatomy (25 MCQs)

Q1. The male reproductive organ responsible for the production of sperm is:

a) Epididymis
b) Vas deferens
c) Testis
d) Seminal vesicle

Answer: c) Testis
Explanation:

• (c) Correct. Testes contain seminiferous tubules where spermatogenesis occurs.
• (a) Epididymis — incorrect. Epididymis stores and matures sperm but does not produce them.
• (b) Vas deferens — incorrect. Conducts sperm from epididymis to ejaculatory ducts.
• (d) Seminal vesicle — incorrect. Secretes seminal fluid (fructose-rich) that mixes with sperm but does not produce sperm.

Q2. The structure where sperm acquire motility and are stored is:

a) Seminiferous tubules
b) Epididymis
c) Prostate gland
d) Urethra

Answer: b) Epididymis
Explanation:

• (b) Correct. Epididymis provides environment for sperm maturation and temporary storage.
• (a) Seminiferous tubules — incorrect. Site of sperm production, not final maturation/storage.
• (c) Prostate gland — incorrect. Contributes secretions to seminal fluid; not storage.
• (d) Urethra — incorrect. Conduit for semen during ejaculation, not storage/maturation site.

Q3. Leydig cells in the testis primarily produce:

a) Inhibin
b) Testosterone
c) Estrogen
d) Progesterone

Answer: b) Testosterone
Explanation:

• (b) Correct. Leydig (interstitial) cells synthesize testosterone under LH stimulation.
• (a) Inhibin — incorrect. Inhibin is secreted by Sertoli cells, regulates FSH.
• (c) Estrogen — incorrect. Small amounts of estrogen are produced via aromatization, but not primarily by Leydig cells.
• (d) Progesterone — incorrect. Progesterone is mainly an ovarian/placental hormone.

Q4. The fibromuscular tube that conveys the ovum from the ovary to the uterus is called:

a) Ureter
b) Fallopian tube (uterine tube)
c) Cervix
d) Vagina

Answer: b) Fallopian tube (uterine tube)
Explanation:

• (b) Correct. Fallopian/uterine tube captures the ovulated oocyte and is the site of fertilization.
• (a) Ureter — incorrect. Ureter carries urine from kidney to bladder.
• (c) Cervix — incorrect. Cervix is the lower neck of the uterus, not the oocyte conduit.
• (d) Vagina — incorrect. Vagina is the birth canal and copulatory organ, not the oocyte transport tube.

Q5. The muscular layer of the uterus that plays a major role during parturition is:

a) Endometrium
b) Myometrium
c) Perimetrium
d) Tunica albuginea

Answer: b) Myometrium
Explanation:

• (b) Correct. Myometrium (smooth muscle) contracts strongly during labor to expel the fetus.
• (a) Endometrium — incorrect. Inner mucosal layer that undergoes cyclical changes, site for implantation.
• (c) Perimetrium — incorrect. Serosal outer layer of uterus.
• (d) Tunica albuginea — incorrect. Dense connective covering of ovary/testis, not uterine muscle.

Q6. Which of the following glands contributes alkaline secretion to semen to neutralize vaginal acidity?

a) Seminal vesicles
b) Prostate gland
c) Bulbourethral (Cowper’s) glands
d) Bartholin’s glands

Answer: a) Seminal vesicles
Explanation:

• (a) Correct. Seminal vesicles produce fructose-rich, alkaline fluid that buffers acidic vaginal pH.
• (b) Prostate gland — partially incorrect. Prostate secretes slightly acidic fluid containing enzymes; it contributes but is not primarily alkaline.
• (c) Bulbourethral glands — incorrect. Secrete pre-ejaculatory mucus (lubrication) and neutralize residual urine acid but smaller volume.
• (d) Bartholin’s glands — incorrect. Bartholin’s are female vestibular glands producing lubrication.

Q7. The female structure homologous to the male penis is:

a) Labia majora
b) Labia minora
c) Clitoris
d) Uterus

Answer: c) Clitoris
Explanation:

• (c) Correct. Clitoris and penis both develop from the genital tubercle and are erectile tissues homologous in embryology.
• (a) Labia majora — partially homologous to scrotum, not penis.
• (b) Labia minora — incorrect. Not homologous to penis.
• (d) Uterus — incorrect. No homology to penis.

Q8. The mammalian ovary is covered externally by:

a) Germinal epithelium
b) Tunica albuginea only
c) Peritoneum
d) Stratified squamous epithelium

Answer: a) Germinal epithelium
Explanation:

• (a) Correct. The surface epithelium of ovary is the cuboidal germinal epithelium (simple epithelium). Under it lies tunica albuginea (connective).
• (b) Tunica albuginea — incorrect. Tunica albuginea is beneath the germinal epithelium.
• (c) Peritoneum — partially true embryologically (ovaries lie beneath peritoneum) but the immediate covering is germinal epithelium.
• (d) Stratified squamous epithelium — incorrect. Not the ovarian surface epithelium.

Q9. The passage shared by reproductive and urinary systems in males is:

a) Vas deferens
b) Ureter
c) Urethra
d) Ejaculatory duct

Answer: c) Urethra
Explanation:

• (c) Correct. Male urethra carries both urine and semen (in different times) — common terminal duct.
• (a) Vas deferens — incorrect. Transport sperm only.
• (b) Ureter — incorrect. Carries urine from kidney to bladder, not reproductive.
• (d) Ejaculatory duct — incorrect. Conveys semen into urethra; not urinary.

Q10. Seminiferous tubules open into:

a) Vas deferens directly
b) Rete testis → efferent ductules → epididymis
c) Ejaculatory duct
d) Urethra

Answer: b) Rete testis → efferent ductules → epididymis
Explanation:

• (b) Correct. Sperm leave seminiferous tubules into rete testis, then efferent ductules to epididymis.
• (a) Vas deferens — incorrect. Vas deferens receives sperm from epididymis, not directly from seminiferous tubules.
• (c) Ejaculatory duct — incorrect. Further downstream, receives sperm + seminal fluid.
• (d) Urethra — incorrect. Terminal tract, several steps downstream.

Q11. Which component of semen supplies fructose as an energy source for sperm?

a) Prostatic fluid
b) Seminal vesicle secretion
c) Bulbourethral fluid
d) Testicular fluid

Answer: b) Seminal vesicle secretion
Explanation:

• (b) Correct. Seminal vesicle fluid is rich in fructose, providing energy for sperm motility.
• (a) Prostatic fluid — incorrect. Contains enzymes, citrate, prostate-specific antigen (PSA).
• (c) Bulbourethral fluid — incorrect. Lubrication and neutralization of urethral acidity, low volume.
• (d) Testicular fluid — incorrect. Primarily supports sperm transport in testes, not fructose-rich.

Q12. The ovarian follicle that ruptures to release the ovum during ovulation is:

a) Primordial follicle
b) Primary follicle
c) Secondary follicle
d) Graafian (mature) follicle

Answer: d) Graafian (mature) follicle
Explanation:

• (d) Correct. The Graafian follicle matures and ruptures at ovulation releasing the oocyte.
• (a), (b), (c) — incorrect. Earlier follicular stages that do not rupture to release the mature oocyte.

Q13. The cervical canal connects the uterine cavity to the:

a) Vagina
b) Fallopian tubes
c) Peritoneal cavity
d) Rectum

Answer: a) Vagina
Explanation:

• (a) Correct. Cervical canal opens into vagina at the external os; connects uterus to vagina.
• (b) Fallopian tubes — incorrect. Uterine cavity connects to fallopian tube at uterine horns; not cervical canal.
• (c) Peritoneal cavity — incorrect. No direct canal.
• (d) Rectum — incorrect. Different organ.

Q14. The blood-testis barrier is formed by:

a) Tight junctions between Leydig cells
b) Tight junctions between Sertoli cells
c) Basement membrane of seminiferous tubules only
d) Epididymal epithelium

Answer: b) Tight junctions between Sertoli cells
Explanation:

• (b) Correct. Sertoli cell tight junctions create the blood-testis barrier, protecting developing germ cells from immune reaction.
• (a) Leydig cells — incorrect. Leydig cells are interstitial and not responsible for the barrier.
• (c) Basement membrane — incorrect. Contributes support but not the barrier.
• (d) Epididymal epithelium — incorrect. Not the blood-testis barrier.

Q15. The region of the sperm that contains digestive enzymes (acrosomal enzymes) is:

a) Head (acrosome)
b) Midpiece
c) Tail (flagellum)
d) Cytoplasmic droplet

Answer: a) Head (acrosome)
Explanation:

• (a) Correct. The acrosome (cap of head) contains enzymes (acrosin) required to penetrate zona pellucida.
• (b) Midpiece — incorrect. Rich in mitochondria for energy (ATP), not hydrolases.
• (c) Tail — incorrect. Motor apparatus for motility.
• (d) Cytoplasmic droplet — incorrect. Remnant of spermiogenesis, not enzyme-containing.

Q16. The part of the uterine wall that is shed during menstruation is:

a) Myometrium
b) Endometrium (functional layer)
c) Perimetrium
d) Basal layer of endometrium

Answer: b) Endometrium (functional layer)
Explanation:

• (b) Correct. The functional (superficial) layer of endometrium is shed during menses.
• (a) Myometrium — incorrect. Muscular layer remains.
• (c) Perimetrium — incorrect. Serosal layer, not shed.
• (d) Basal layer — incorrect. Basal layer remains to regenerate the functional layer.

Q17. The hormone primarily responsible for maintenance of pregnancy by corpus luteum in early pregnancy is:

a) hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)
b) FSH
c) LH
d) Prolactin

Answer: a) hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)
Explanation:

• (a) Correct. hCG secreted by trophoblast maintains corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone in early pregnancy.
• (b) FSH — incorrect. Stimulates follicular growth, not maintenance.
• (c) LH — incorrect. Triggers ovulation; not the primary early pregnancy maintainer.
• (d) Prolactin — incorrect. Involved in lactation, not corpus luteum maintenance.

Q18. The major energy-generating organelle in the sperm midpiece is:

a) Nucleus
b) Ribosome
c) Mitochondrion
d) Lysosome

Answer: c) Mitochondrion
Explanation:

• (c) Correct. Mitochondria in the midpiece produce ATP for flagellar movement.
• (a) Nucleus — incorrect. Contains DNA (genetic material) but not energy generation.
• (b) Ribosome — incorrect. Protein synthesis; sperm have few ribosomes.
• (d) Lysosome — incorrect. Digestive organelles not energy producers.

Q19. In males, erection of penis is primarily due to:

a) Parasympathetic mediated vasodilation of penile arterioles
b) Sympathetic mediated vasoconstriction
c) Somatic reflex only
d) Increase in venous outflow

Answer: a) Parasympathetic mediated vasodilation of penile arterioles
Explanation:

• (a) Correct. Parasympathetic activation causes nitric oxide–mediated smooth muscle relaxation → arteriolar dilation and engorgement.
• (b) Sympathetic vasoconstriction — incorrect. Sympathetic causes ejaculation; not erection.
• (c) Somatic reflex only — incorrect. Somatic innervation contributes to muscle tone but erection primarily autonomic parasympathetic.
• (d) Increase in venous outflow — incorrect. Erection involves decreased venous outflow (venous compression) not increase.

Q20. The organ that produces seminal plasmin (antibacterial protein) is:

a) Seminal vesicle
b) Prostate gland
c) Bulbourethral gland
d) Testis

Answer: b) Prostate gland
Explanation:

• (b) Correct. Prostatic secretion includes antibacterial factors like zinc and enzymes; seminal plasmin is associated with prostate secretions.
• (a) Seminal vesicle — incorrect. Contributes fructose and prostaglandins.
• (c) Bulbourethral gland — incorrect. Produces pre-ejaculate mucus; not major antimicrobial.
• (d) Testis — incorrect. Produces sperm and testosterone, not seminal plasmin.

Q21. The term “gonadotropins” refers to:

a) Hormones that act on gonads (FSH and LH)
b) Hormones secreted by gonads (testosterone, estrogen)
c) Hormones regulating growth (GH)
d) Hormones from adrenal medulla

Answer: a) Hormones that act on gonads (FSH and LH)
Explanation:

• (a) Correct. Gonadotropins (FSH, LH) are pituitary hormones that regulate gonadal function.
• (b) Hormones secreted by gonads — incorrect. These are gonadal hormones, not gonadotropins.
• (c) GH — incorrect. Growth hormone is not a gonadotropin.
• (d) Adrenal medulla hormones — incorrect. Catecholamines not gonadotropins.

Q22. The female external genital structure that encloses the vaginal opening and contains Bartholin’s glands is:

a) Labia majora
b) Clitoris
c) Labia minora
d) Mons pubis

Answer: a) Labia majora
Explanation:

• (a) Correct. Labia majora are the larger outer folds; they enclose and protect external genitalia; Bartholin’s glands are near the vestibule often associated with labia minora area but the majora enclose.
• (b) Clitoris — incorrect. Erectile tissue; not enclosing vaginal opening.
• (c) Labia minora — partially correct (they directly surround vestibule), but the question asked the structure that encloses and contains Bartholin’s vicinity — labia majora are outer protective folds. For clarity: Bartholin’s ducts open into vestibule bounded by labia minora; but outer enclosure is labia majora.
• (d) Mons pubis — incorrect. Fatty pad above pubic symphysis.

(Note for students: Bartholin’s glands open into vestibule bounded by labia minora, but labia majora enclose the whole vulva — question stresses enclosure/protection.)

Q23. The ligament that attaches the ovary to the uterus is:

a) Broad ligament
b) Ovarian ligament (proper ligament)
c) Suspensory ligament
d) Round ligament

Answer: b) Ovarian ligament (proper ligament)
Explanation:

• (b) Correct. Ovarian ligament (ligament of ovary / utero-ovarian ligament) connects ovary to lateral uterus.
• (a) Broad ligament — incorrect. Fold of peritoneum that supports uterine tubes, ovaries, and uterus (general support) but not the specific ovary-to-uterus attachment.
• (c) Suspensory ligament — incorrect. Directs ovarian vessels and attaches ovary to pelvic wall.
• (d) Round ligament — incorrect. Attaches uterus to labia majora via inguinal canal.

Q24. Which of the following is NOT a function of the Sertoli cells?

a) Support and nourishment of developing germ cells
b) Secretion of inhibin
c) Formation of blood-testis barrier
d) Production of testosterone

Answer: d) Production of testosterone
Explanation:

• (d) Correct (NOT a function). Sertoli cells do not produce testosterone; Leydig cells do.
• **(a), (b), (c) — incorrect choices as exclusions because Sertoli cells do perform these functions: supporting germ cells, secreting inhibin (feedback on FSH), and forming blood-testis barrier.

Q25. The site of implantation of the blastocyst is usually:

a) Cervical canal
b) Fundus/body of uterus (endometrium)
c) Ovarian surface
d) External os

Answer: b) Fundus/body of uterus (endometrium)
Explanation:

• (b) Correct. Implantation is normally in the endometrium of uterine body/fundus.
• (a) Cervical canal — incorrect. Cervical implantation is abnormal (cervical pregnancy).
• (c) Ovarian surface — incorrect. Ectopic ovarian implantation is abnormal.
• (d) External os — incorrect. External os is opening to vagina; implantation there is abnormal.

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