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Define the term 'amniocentesis… (Class 12 Biology 2026, Q18)

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BiologyCBSE Class 12 · Board exam 2026, set 57/5/1 · 2 marks · Very short answer

CBSE Class 12 Biology 2026: question 18

Set in the CBSE Class 12 board exam of 2026, paper 57/5/1, section B, question 18, for 2 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q18 · 2 marks · Very short answerReproductive Health

Define the term 'amniocentesis'. Why has the government imposed a statutory ban in spite of its importance in the medical field ?

Source: official question paper from cbse.gov.in (PDF). See it in the full 2026 board paper, set 57/5/1.

Hints

Open one hint at a time and try again before the next.

Hint 1

The name contains 'amnion'. Which fluid is sampled, and what does it contain from the foetus?

Hint 2

Besides genetic disorders, what else about the foetus can the chromosomes reveal, and how could that be misused?

Step-by-step solution

Each step shows the marks it earns, as an examiner would award them. Checked by an independent re-solve from the question paper.

  1. Amniocentesis is a prenatal diagnostic technique. A small amount of amniotic fluid containing foetal cells is withdrawn and analysed (chromosomes, enzymes) to detect genetic disorders such as Down's syndrome in the developing foetus.

    1 mark

  2. The same test also reveals the sex of the foetus. It was being misused for sex determination, followed by abortion of female foetuses (female foeticide). A statutory ban on its use for sex determination was imposed to check this menace and the falling sex ratio.

    1 mark

Answer: Amniocentesis is analysis of foetal cells in amniotic fluid to detect genetic disorders. It is banned for sex determination to prevent female foeticide.

Where the marks are

  • Defines amniocentesis as analysis of foetal cells in amniotic fluid for genetic disorders (1 mark)
  • Gives the reason for the ban: misuse for sex determination leading to female foeticide (1 mark)

Revise the chapter

Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from Reproductive Health, one at a time, marked against the answer key and marking points.Back to the full paper2026 board paper, set 57/5/1: every question, by section.

The question is transcribed from the official paper; figures are described in words. The solution, hints and chapter tag are ours. Spotted an error? Write tosupport@questionbuddy.in.