Biology · Reproductive Health · NEET
ART are special techniques used to assist a couple to have children when normal correction of infertility is not possible. NCERT groups them together: IVF (with embryo transfer / test tube baby), ZIFT, IUT, GIFT, ICSI and artificial insemination (AI). In all of them a doctor helps the gametes meet, either outside the body (in-vitro) or by placing them inside the body.
Yes. NCERT says the IVF-followed-by-embryo-transfer method is 'popularly known as the test tube baby programme'. Ova from the wife or a donor and sperms from the husband or a donor are collected and made to form a zygote in the laboratory under simulated conditions. The name 'test tube baby' is only a popular name; the baby still develops inside the mother's body, not in a tube.
This single rule is the most tested point. If the embryo has up to 8 blastomeres, it is put into the fallopian tube — this is ZIFT (Zygote Intra Fallopian Transfer). If the embryo has more than 8 blastomeres, it is put into the uterus — this is IUT (Intra Uterine Transfer). Memory line: '8 or less = tube (ZIFT), more than 8 = uterus (IUT).'
GIFT (Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer) is used for a female who cannot produce her own ovum but can provide a suitable environment for fertilisation and development. An ovum collected from a donor is transferred into her fallopian tube. Note GIFT transfers a gamete (ovum), while ZIFT/IUT transfer an embryo — this gamete-vs-embryo difference is a favourite NEET trap.
ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) is in-vitro (in the laboratory): a single sperm is directly injected into the ovum to form the embryo. Artificial insemination (AI) is used when the male has a very low sperm count or cannot inseminate the female — semen from the husband or a healthy donor is introduced into the vagina or uterus.
In which of the following techniques, the embryo(s) are transferred to assist those females who cannot conceive?
The method of directly injecting a sperm into the ovum in assisted reproductive technology is called:
Try the real previous-year questions from this chapter — each with the answer and a full solution.
ART stands for Assisted Reproductive Technologies. These are special medical techniques (IVF, ET, ZIFT, IUT, GIFT, ICSI, AI) that help infertile couples have a child.
IVF = In Vitro Fertilisation; ET = Embryo Transfer; ZIFT = Zygote Intra Fallopian Transfer; IUT = Intra Uterine Transfer; GIFT = Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer; ICSI = Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection.
Artificial insemination (AI) is used. Semen from the husband or a healthy donor is collected and introduced into the vagina or into the uterus of the female. ICSI can also help male infertility by injecting one sperm directly into the ovum.
Yes. NCERT notes these techniques need very high precision handling and costly instruments, so their benefit reaches only a limited number of people. Emotional, religious and social factors also discourage adoption. NCERT reminds us that legal adoption of orphaned children is a good alternative.
ART is a high-yield, direct-from-NCERT topic in Reproductive Health. Questions repeatedly test the 8-blastomere rule (ZIFT vs IUT), the gamete-vs-embryo difference (GIFT vs ZIFT/IUT), and whether ICSI is in-vitro. Memorising the full forms and what each technique transfers usually secures the mark.
