# A couple have been trying to conceive a child for over two years without success. A doctor diagnoses one partner with infertility and recommends in vitro fertilisation (IVF) as a treatment. Explain how IVF works and describe the role of hormones in this process.

> OCR A-Level Biology B — Advancing Biology (H422) — 3.3 Reproduction, growth and development · Explain · 5 marks

> In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a fertility treatment used when natural conception has not occurred. It involves the use of hormones and laboratory procedures to achieve fertilisation.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. IVF involves fertilisation of an egg by sperm outside the body
2. FSH is given to stimulate/cause the maturation of eggs in the ovary
3. LH is given to stimulate the release/ovulation of the mature egg(s)
4. The fertilised egg(s) / embryo(s) are then implanted into the uterus
5. IVF is used when a couple are having difficulty conceiving / is a treatment for infertility

## Key terms

- [in vitro fertilisation (IVF)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/in-vitro-fertilisation-ivf)
- [infertility](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/infertility)

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR A-Level Biology B — Advancing Biology (H422)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-couple-have-been-trying-to-0b616862) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.