Question

Describe changes that uterus undergoes

(i) to receive the zygote

(ii) if zygote is not formed

Answer 1

Uterus:

1. The muscular hollow organ present between the urinary bladder and rectum in the pelvic region of a human female is known as the uterus.
2. The uterus starts to change when the human female hits puberty.

(i) Changes in the uterus to receive zygote:

1. The zygote produced by the fusion of the male gamete, sperm, and female gamete, ovum in the fallopian tube travels to the uterus to get implanted.
2. The endometrium layer of the uterus thickens in preparation for receiving the zygote.
3. The blood supply to the layer also increases to provide nutrition to the developing fetus.
4. The secretions from the uterine wall also increase to ensure the easy passage of the zygote.

(ii) Changes in the uterus if a zygote is not formed:

1. The thickened endometrium of the uterus is not required if the formation of a zygote does not occur.
2. The uterus's endometrium lining begins to shed and release from the vagina as blood and mucus if it does not receive the zygote.
3. This period of shedding the endometrium lining is called the menstrual cycle.