Exam Focus

Exam Focus

Fertility treatment questions typically appear as 3-5 mark structured questions. The most common formats are:

Edexcel (1BI0/2): Fertility treatment is examined on Edexcel Paper 2 (1BI0/2) within Topic 7. Edexcel questions are scenario-based — for example, a case study of a couple undergoing IVF — and ask students to explain why FSH is given, what each step of the procedure involves, and to evaluate the treatment. Ethical evaluation questions (arguments for and against embryo screening) are common at higher tier. The Edexcel specification also includes clomifene therapy as an alternative to IVF; ensure you can explain how clomifene stimulates the pituitary to release FSH and LH, distinguishing its mechanism from direct FSH injection.

• Describe IVF steps (4 marks): FSH stimulation, egg collection, fertilisation in lab, embryo transfer — one mark per step. Must be in the correct order.
• Explain why FSH is given (2 marks): To stimulate multiple egg production (1 mark) so more embryos are available, increasing success chances (1 mark).
• Evaluate IVF — advantages and disadvantages (4-6 marks): Must include at least 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages. Success rate data, ethical concerns about embryos, and emotional/financial costs are all examinable.
• Higher: Ethical considerations of embryo screening (4-6 marks): Present arguments for AND against. A conclusion is required for full marks.

Common error: Students confuse clomifene with FSH. Clomifene stimulates the pituitary to release FSH naturally; in IVF, FSH is injected directly. The effect is similar (egg maturation) but the mechanism is different.