Question

Give scientific reason.

Older women are more likely to give birth to children with some abnormalities.

Answer 1

1. A female has millions of oocytes at the time of birth and new ova are not formed thereafter.
2. Menopause occurs at approximately 40-50 years of age and hence fewer numbers of eggs are present with reduced fertility since the oocytes have aged.
3. Their ability to divide diminishes and they may not be able to complete meiotic division properly.
4. Fertilization of such oocytes may result in the production of genetic abnormalities (like Down syndrome) in offspring.

Hence, older women are more likely to give birth to children with some abnormalities.