Human Reproductive Health – Amniocentesis: NEET MCQs with Answers

8 free questions on Human Reproductive Health – Amniocentesis for NEET (UG), starting with previous-year NEET and AIPMT questions. Try each one, then tap Show answer for the answer and a short explanation.

Syllabus covered: Amniocentesis

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Question 1

Previous-year question
In the context of amniocentesis, which of the following statements is incorrect? [NEET 2016]
  1. It is usually done when a woman is between 14 and 16 weeks pregnant
  2. It is used for prenatal sex determination
  3. It can be used for the detection of Down's syndrome
  4. It can be used for the detection of cleft palate
Show answer
Answer: (D) It can be used for the detection of cleft palate
Explanation: Amniocentesis analyses foetal cells for chromosomal and metabolic abnormalities and is normally done around 14–16 weeks. A cleft palate is a structural/morphological defect that is detected by ultrasonography, not by karyotyping of amniotic cells. Use of the test for sex determination, though technically possible, is illegal in India.

Question 2

Previous-year question
Amniocentesis is a process to [AIPMT 1997]
  1. determine any disease in heart
  2. determine any hereditary disease in the embryo
  3. know about the disease of brain
  4. All of the above
Show answer
Answer: (B) determine any hereditary disease in the embryo
Explanation: In amniocentesis, cells of the amniotic fluid are cultured and the chromosomes of the dividing cells are examined for abnormalities. The fluid may also be tested for products of faulty genes, such as a high level of α-fetoprotein, which indicates a high risk of birth defects.

Question 3

Previous-year question
Foetal sex can be determined by examining cells from the amniotic fluid by looking for [AIPMT 1997]
  1. chiasmata
  2. kinetochore
  3. Barr bodies
  4. autosomes
Show answer
Answer: (C) Barr bodies
Explanation: Amniotic fluid contains foetal skin cells which can be stained to detect sex chromatin. A Barr body is the condensed, inactive X chromosome found in the non-dividing nuclei of female mammals, so its presence indicates a female foetus with two X chromosomes.

Question 4

Previous-year question
The permissible use of the technique amniocentesis is for [AIPMT 2010]
  1. detecting sex of the unborn foetus
  2. artificial insemination
  3. transfer of embryo into the uterus of a surrogate mother
  4. detecting any genetic abnormality
Show answer
Answer: (D) detecting any genetic abnormality
Explanation: The legally permissible use of amniocentesis is the prenatal diagnosis of congenital and genetic abnormalities such as Down's syndrome, Turner's syndrome and Klinefelter's syndrome by karyotypic study of foetal cells. Its use for sex determination is banned because it was being misused for female foeticide.

Question 5

Previous-year question
Which of the following cannot be detected in a developing foetus by amniocentesis? [NEET 2013]
  1. Klinefelter's syndrome
  2. Sex of the foetus
  3. Down's syndrome
  4. Jaundice
Show answer
Answer: (D) Jaundice
Explanation: Amniocentesis is a foetal test based on the chromosomal pattern of cells in the amniotic fluid, so it detects chromosomal conditions such as Klinefelter's and Down's syndrome and also the sex of the foetus. Jaundice is a liver dysfunction and is not based on the chromosome pattern.

Question 6

Previous-year question
In context of amniocentesis, which of the following statement is incorrect? [NEET 2016, Phase I]
  1. It is used for prenatal sex-determination
  2. It can be used for detection of down syndrome
  3. It can be used for detection of cleft palate
  4. It is usually done when a woman is between 14-16 weeks pregnant
Show answer
Answer: (C) It can be used for detection of cleft palate
Explanation: Cleft palate is a developmental abnormality that is not reflected in the chromosome pattern, so it cannot be detected by amniocentesis; it is detected by sonography. Amniocentesis analyses foetal cells and chemicals in the amniotic fluid and can reveal chromosomal disorders such as Down's syndrome.

Question 7

Previous-year question
(NEET 2016-I) In context of amniocentesis, which statement is INCORRECT?
  1. It is usually done when a woman is between 14–16 weeks pregnant
  2. It is used for prenatal sex determination
  3. It can be used for detection of Down's syndrome
  4. It can be used for detection of cleft palate
Show answer
Answer: (D) It can be used for detection of cleft palate
Explanation: Amniocentesis detects chromosomal disorders (Down syndrome, haemophilia) but not structural defects like cleft palate.
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Question 8

Previous-year question
(NEET 2023) Assertion: Amniocentesis for sex determination is a strategy of the Reproductive and Child Health Care Programme. Reason: Ban on amniocentesis checks the menace of female foeticide.
  1. Both A and R true; R explains A
  2. Both A and R true; R does not explain A
  3. A true, R false
  4. A false, R true
Show answer
Answer: (D) A false, R true
Explanation: Amniocentesis for sex determination is BANNED, not a RCH strategy; R is correct.

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