Question

In amniocentesis, the fluid is taken from
A.Foetal blood
B.Mother’s blood
C.Body fluid of the mother
D.Fluid surrounding fetus

Answer 1

Hint:Amniocentesis is a prenatal diagnostic test, mainly used for detecting genetic disorders. The amniotic fluid for the test is taken from the amniotic cavity. The test is done between 16-18 weeks of pregnancy.

Complete answer:
Amniocentesis is the most widely used prenatal diagnostic test for the detection of genetic disorders. It is also called Amniotic Fluid Test(AFT). In amniocentesis, a sample of amniotic fluid is taken from the amniotic cavity which surrounds the fetus. The test is for pregnant females who are more prone to genetic disorders or have a family history of birth defects. This test is done during the early part of the second trimester of pregnancy (usually between 16 and 18 weeks).
It was first introduced by an American obstetrician, Fritz Friedrich Fuchs and Danish gastroenterologist P. Riis in 1956 for determining the sex of the fetus. Following is the procedure for collecting amniotic fluid:
1. The mother is first given local anaesthesia and with ultrasound guidance, the position of the fetus is monitored.
2. The needle is inserted through the abdominal and uterine wall into the amniotic sac.
3. The amniotic fluid is aspirated.
4. The amniotic fluid containing shed off fetal cells is centrifuged to separate fetal cells. The cells are placed in culture medium and are harvested for different tests.

So, the correct answer is option D. Fluid surrounding the fetus.

Note:Fetal cells are examined for any chromosomal anomalies like Down syndrome, Turner and Edward syndrome etc. by karyotyping. Other abnormalities like neural tube defects, cystic fibrosis, myasthenia gravis and haematological disorders etc can also be investigated.
Amniotic fluid has multipotent stem cells which can be used for regeneration therapy for producing artificial heart valves, muscle and bone etc.