Biology · Reproductive Health · NEET
No. This is the most common confusion. In IVF, only the fertilisation and the very early zygote/embryo formation happen in the lab (in vitro) under simulated conditions. This zygote or early embryo is then transferred back into the woman's body (fallopian tube or uterus) by embryo transfer, where the baby develops normally. So the tube only makes the zygote; the baby grows inside the mother.
IVF is the fertilisation step: ova and sperms are collected and induced to form a zygote outside the body in the lab. Embryo transfer (ET) is the next step: the zygote or early embryo is placed back into the female body. NCERT writes it as one combined method: IVF followed by ET. IVF makes the embryo; ET puts it back.
It depends on the stage. A zygote or early embryo with up to 8 blastomeres is transferred into the fallopian tube (this is called ZIFT). An embryo with more than 8 blastomeres is transferred into the uterus (this is called IUT). NEET often tests this exact 8-blastomere cut-off, so remember: up to 8 to the tube, more than 8 to the uterus.
NCERT states these techniques need extremely high precision handling by specialised professionals and expensive instrumentation, so they are available to only a limited number of people. Because couples want their own children, IVF also means fewer orphaned and destitute children get adopted. There is also a chance the early embryo does not survive. NEET 2025 asked exactly these drawbacks.
IVF can use gametes from the husband/wife or from a donor. NCERT says ova from the wife or a donor and sperms from the husband or a donor are collected. So it is not necessary that the couple themselves must be the donors. This point was a trap option in NEET 2025.
What are the potential drawbacks in adoption of the IVF method? A. High fatality risk to mother B. Expensive instruments and reagents C. Husband/wife necessary for being donors D. Less adoption of orphans E. Not available in India F. Possibility that the early embryo does not survive
Embryo with more than 16 blastomeres formed due to in-vitro fertilization is transferred into
In which of the following techniques, the embryo are transferred to assist those females who cannot conceive?
Try the real previous-year questions from this chapter — each with the answer and a full solution.
IVF stands for In Vitro Fertilisation, which means fertilisation outside the body (in glass/lab) under conditions almost similar to those inside the body.
Because the zygote is first formed outside the body in lab glassware. The name is popular but slightly misleading, as the baby actually develops inside the mother after embryo transfer, not in a tube.
A zygote or early embryo with up to 8 blastomeres goes into the fallopian tube (ZIFT), while an embryo with more than 8 blastomeres goes into the uterus (IUT). NEET tests this number repeatedly.
IVF is the fertilisation step done in the lab. ZIFT and IUT are the different routes of transferring the resulting zygote or embryo back into the body. They usually follow IVF but are named separately by the transfer site and embryo stage.
Yes. NCERT notes that embryos formed by in-vivo fertilisation (fusion of gametes inside the female) can also be used for such transfer to assist females who cannot conceive.
