Q1. [3] medium thorough-understanding
Copper-T and surgical blocking of the fallopian tube are both contraceptive methods used in females, but they prevent pregnancy at entirely different stages of the reproductive process. Explain the mechanism of each and identify the stage — gamete production, fertilisation, or implantation — at which each method acts.
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-26 01:08 · grounding rag
Model Answer
Copper-T: It is a device placed inside the uterus. It prevents the implantation of the fertilised egg (embryo) in the uterine lining. It can also cause irritation of the uterus. Thus, it acts at the stage of implantation.
Surgical blocking of the fallopian tube: When the fallopian tube is blocked surgically, the egg cannot travel towards the uterus and sperms cannot reach the egg. Therefore, fertilisation cannot take place. It acts at the stage of fertilisation.
Source: Chapter 7, Section 7.3.3(d) — Reproductive Health
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Explanation
- Examiners expect you to name the stage clearly for each method — that is where the marks lie.
- The passage states: "Other contraceptive devices such as the loop or the copper-T are placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy" and "If the fallopian tube in the female is blocked, the egg will not be able to reach the uterus… fertilisation will not take place." Use these lines as your basis.
- Do not confuse copper-T with blocking fertilisation — the textbook links it to the uterus (implantation stage), not the fallopian tube.
- For a 3-mark question, two mechanisms + two stages + one comparative point is the ideal structure.