CBSE Notes

By going through these CBSE Class 12 Biology Notes Chapter 4 Reproductive Health, students can recall all the concepts quickly.

Reproductive Health Notes Class 12 Biology Chapter 4

→ According to World Health Organisation (WHO), reproductive health means total well-being in all aspects of reproduction. It includes physical, emotional, behavioral, and social health. A reproductively healthy society has people with normal emotional and behavioral interactions as well as physically and functionally normal reproductive organs.

India has greater proportions of young individuals who belong to different age groups such as adolescents, early childhood, and puberty. Health and education of the younger generation, age of marriage, and childbearing capacity of women are some important areas of concern for the overall reproductive health of the human population.

Reports have revealed that enrolments for secondary school education are low especially for girls, complications during pregnancy, childbirth, and abortions are major reasons for female deaths, the chances of infection of sexually transmitted diseases are maximum between 15 – 24 years.

→ In the world, India was the first country to start action plans and programs to attain total reproductive health at the national level. These programs are called family planning and were started in 1951. Reproductive and Child Health Care (RCH) programs are creating awareness about various reproduction-related areas, providing facilities and support for building a reproductively healthy society.

→ The health centers provide information, guidance, and assistance to mothers before and after delivery. Pregnant women need more nutritious food especially calcium, iron, and vitamins. They should avoid the use of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco because they may cause abnormalities in the developing baby. Women should avoid taking medicines as some may be teratogenic (abnormality causing).

→ These centers also provide safe delivery of the infant and postnatal care. Delivery by untrained midwives may be dangerous so women should prefer delivery in hospitals with trained physicians.

→ The health centers also take care of infant immunization and prophylaxis against anemia and deficiency of vitamins. They should be provided with the following vaccines:

Table: National Immunisation Schedule

→ These centers train midwives to handle the safe delivery of infants. They also arrange for milk feeding programs. The infants do not have antibodies of their own, they get it from the mother’s milk. Such infants are less prone to allergies than bottle-fed ones.

→ The health centers educate the couples about the importance of small families and proper spacing between successive birth. Too young women are likely to produce underweight and weak babies. To start with pregnancy the reproductive system should be fully mature, physically and functionally as well.

→ Government and non-governmental agencies are working together, using various audio-visual aids to aware people about various programs, infrastructure facilities and to find out new improved methods and to implement them properly.

→ Increased health facilities and better living conditions have increased the population at an alarming level. A rapid decline in death rate, the maternal mortality rate (MMR) and infant mortality rate (IMR), and an increase in the number of people in reproducible age are the main reasons for this. This could lead to a scarcity of basic amenities so serious efforts to check this population growth rate are required.

→ One step to control the population rate is to control the birth rate of the population. To educate and motivate the fertile couples to have smaller families.

→ The regulation of conception by preventive methods or devices to limit the number of off-springs is called birth control. A variety of methods are used for birth control.

→ The birth control methods which prevent fertilization are known as contraception. A contraceptive should be user-friendly, easily available, effective, and reversible with no side effects.

These contraceptive methods are of two main types:
1. Temporary methods: As clear from the name these are temporary measures that are effective for a limited period.
(a) Safe period or Rhythm method: Generally one week before and one week after the menstrual cycle is considered a safe period. This is also called natural family planning. In it, the couples avoid coitus from 10 to 17 days of the menstrual cycle.

It is termed Periodic abstinence. It is based on the observations that ovulation occurs on about the 14th day of the menstrual cycle. An ovum survives for about 1-2 days, sperms remain active for about 3 days. This method reduces the chances of fertilization to 80%.

(b) Coitus Interruptus: This is the oldest method of birth control. It involves the withdrawal of the penis from the vagina by the male before ejaculation so as to avoid insemination. The drawbacks of this method are that the male produces some lubricating fluid from Cowper’s glands which contains many sperms. A lapse of timing may result in late withdrawal and therefore pregnancy.

(c) Lactational Amenorrhea: This means the absence of menstruation. It is based on the fact that ovulation does not occur during intense lactation after parturition, so there is no menstrual! cycle. The chances of conception are nil. This method does not have any side effects. It can only be effective for a maximum of six months after parturition.

(d) Chemical methods: These include jellies, foam tablets, pastes, or creams that contain spermicides (agents to kill sperms) such as lactic acid, boric acid, citric acid, zinc sulfate, or potassium permanganate. Before intercourse, if these are introduced into the vagina, they adhere to the mucous membrane and kill the sperms.

(e) Mechanical means: These are barrier methods that prevent the sperms and ovum to come closer.

They are of three types:
1. Condom (Nirodh) is made up of a thin rubber/latex sheath meant to cover the penis so that semen would not enter into the female reproductive system. The female condom covers the vagina and cervix, just before coitus. These should be discarded after a single-use. Their use is simple and has no side effects. These are very useful against STDs and AIDS.

2. Diaphragm and cervical cap: These are the rubber plastic covers that are fitted on the cervix in a female’s vagina and blocks the entry of sperms through the cervix. These are reusable and must be kept fit for at least six hours after intercourse. Every time these are smeared with spermicidal jelly, creams, or foams to increase their contraceptive efficiency.

3. Intrauterine Devices (IUDs): These are metal or plastic objects inserted inside the uterus of the female. These may be non-medicated lUD’s such as Lippes Loop, Copper releasing IUDs e.g. CuT, Cu7, Multiload 375, and the hormone-releasing ones e.g. Progestasert. LNG-20.

They prevent the fertilization of egg or embryo implantation. IUDs increase phagocytosis of sperms within the uterus, Cu²⁺ ions released by some of them suppress sperm motility and their fertilizing capacity. The hormone-releasing IUDs make the uterus unsuitable for implantation and cervix, hostile to the sperms. These should be used with the help of a physician. Their presence may act as a minor irritant.

Their drawbacks are spontaneous expulsion, occasional hemorrhage, perforation of the uterus, or tubal pregnancy.
1. Physiological (Oral) devices: These are birth control pills that check ovulation by inhibiting the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. A combined pill is widely used, it contains progesterone and estrogen in high doses to prevent ovulation.

→ Pill Mala D is taken daily, and pill Saheli is taken weekly, it contains a non-steroidal preparation called ‘Centchroman’. These have side effects like nausea, breast tenderness, weight gain, slight bleeding, and high blood pressure. They also reduce certain types of cancer.

→ Progestagen along with estrogen is used by females as injections or implants under the skin. Their action is similar to pills and is for a longer duration (3 to 4 years).

→ Progestagens if taken within 72 hours of coitus are very effective and can avoid pregnancy due to some accidents.

2. Permanent Method: These are surgical methods or sterilization, which provides a permanent or terminal method for birth control. In males, it is called vasectomy and in females, it is called tubectomy. Surgical methods block gamete transport and thus prevent pregnancy. In a vasectomy, a small part of the vas deferens is removed or tied up by a small incision on the scrotum.

In tubectomy, a small part of the fallopian tube is removed or tied up through a small incision in the abdomen or through the vagina. This is done under local anesthesia and does not affect the normal sex life. These techniques are highly effective and widely used but they have poor reversibility.

→ Laparoscopy: A small laparoscope (telescopic instrument) is used in tubal ligation. It blocks the fallopian tubes. Thus the eggs fail to pass the fallopian tube and sperms fail to reach the eggs.

→ Sterilization is the most effective measure for birth control. All these methods should be used under the guidance of a medical practitioner.

→ Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy or Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) is known as abortion. The pregnancy is terminated before the fetus becomes viable. It is a method of fertility control used all over the world. Certain pills induce menstruation which acts as abortions and checks the implantation of a zygote or detaches the implanted egg. MTPs if done during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy is safe. It becomes riskier during the second trimester. Only a certified practitioner should be contacted for MTP.

Contraception methods

→ RU – 486 is an analog of progesterone that terminates pregnancy within the first few weeks. It acts by blocking the receptors in the uterus thus preventing progesterone from maintaining pregnancy.

→ Infections or diseases that transmit through unsafe sexual intercourse are called sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or reproductive tract infections (RTI) or Venereal diseases (VD) Gonorrhoea and syphilis are the most common. Another is AIDS. Adolescents are more vulnerable to these because of a lack of proper knowledge.

Table: Common STDs and their causative agents

→ To avoid these one should avoid having sex with unknown partners or multiple partners, always use condoms during coitus and seek medical help as soon as possible.

→ Early symptoms of most of these infections are minor. It includes slight itching, fluid discharge, slight pain or swelling in the genital region. If not paid proper attention these may become complicated ones as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), abortions, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, infertility, or even cancer of the reproductive tract.

→ Infertility is the condition when couples are unable to produce children in spite of unprotected sexual cohabitation. Infertility may be physical, congenital, diseases, drugs, immunological, or even psychological. These problems can be cured by assisted reproductive technologies (ART). In vitro fertilization (IVF) is done followed by Embryo transfer (ET)is one of such practices done to cure infertility.

In IVF, ova from the donor female and sperms from the donor male are collected and induced to form a zygote, which is then transferred into the fallopian tube known as ZIFT-zygote intrafallopian transfer. For ZIFT the embryos are up to 8 blastomeres. Embryos with more than 8 blastomeres are transferred into the uterus called JUT (intrauterine transfer) for further complete development.

GIFT: gamete intrafallopian transfer, is the transfer of ovum from a donor to the receiver female who cannot produce one. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a product where embryos are produced in the laboratory. The artificial insemination (AI) technique is used in case of male’s sperm count is low. In IUT: intrauterine insemination, semen is collected from donors and artificially introduced into the vagina or uterus.

→ Polyovulation: Discharge of several ova in one ovulatory cycle.

→ Hygienist: A person well versed in the principles of hygiene.

→ Laparoscopy: Examination of the peritoneal cavity through an incision in the abdominal wall.

→ Abortion: Giving birth to an embryo or fetus prior to the stage of viability at about 20 weeks of gestation.

→ Premature birth: Birth after the age of fetal viability but before full term.

→ Fetus: Developing young one from the end of the eight weeks to the moment of birth.

→ Foeticide: Destruction of embryo or fetus in the uterus.

→ RCH programs: Reproductive and Child Health Care program.

→ IUDs: Intra-Uterine Devices.

→ MTP: Medical termination of pregnancy.

→ VD: Venereal diseases.

→ RTI: Reproductive tract infections.

→ PID: Pelvic inflammatory diseases.

→ ART: Assisted reproductive technologies.

→ IVF: Invitro fertilization.

→ ET: Embryo transfer.

→ ZIFT: Zygote intrafallopian transfer.

→ IUT: Intra uterine transfer. .

→ GIFT: Gamete intrafallopian transfer.

→ ICSI: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

→ AI: Artificial insemination.

→ IUI: Intra-uterine insemination.

By going through these CBSE Class 12 Biology Notes Chapter 3 Human Reproduction, students can recall all the concepts quickly.

Human Reproduction Notes Class 12 Biology Chapter 3

→ Humans are sexually reproducing and viviparous. The reproductive events in humans induce the formation of gametes (gametogenesis) i.e.; sperms in. males and ovum in females, the transfer of sperms into the female genital tract (insemination), and the fusion of males and females garnets (fertilization) leading to the formation of zygote.

→ After the formation and development of the blastocyst and its attachment to the uterine wall (implantation), embryonic development (gestation), and delivery of the baby (parturition).

→ The male reproductive system is located in the pelvis region. It includes the pain of the testes along with accessory ducts, glands, and the external genitalia.

→ The female reproductive system consists of a pair of ovaries along with a pair of oviducts, uterus, cervix, vagina, and the external genitalia located in the pelvic region. The female reproductive also has a pair of memory glands that are integrated structurally and functionally to support the processes of ovulation, fertilization, pregnancy, birth, and child care.

→ The primary sex organs: the testis in the males and the ovaries in the females produce gametes i.e.; sperms and ovum, respectively, by the process called gametogenesis.

→ In testis, the immature male cells (spermatogonia) produce sperms by spermatogenesis that begins at puberty.

→ After the process of spermiogenesis, sperm heads become embedded in the Sertoli cells. There are finally released from the seminiferous tubules by the process called spermiation.

→ Sperm is composed of a head, neck, middle piece, and tail. A plasma membrane envelops the whole body of sperm.

→ The process of formation of a mature female gamete is called oogenesis which is markedly different from spermatogenesis. Oogenesis is initiated during the embryonic development stage when a couple of million gamete mother cells (oogonia) are formed within each fetal ovary, no more oogonia are formed and added after birth.

→ The reproductive cycle in the female primates (e.g. monkeys, apes, and human beings) is called the menstrual cycle. The first menstruation begins at puberty and is called menarche. In human females, menstruation is repeated at an average interval of 28/29 days, and the cycle of events starting from one menstruation till the next one is called the menstrual cycle.

→ Rapid secretion of L, H leading to its maximum level during mid-cycle called LH surge induces rupture of Graafian follicle and thereby the release of an ovum (ovulation). The ovulation (ovulatory phase) is followed by the luteal phase during which the remaining parts of the Graafian foil ice transform as the corpus luteum.

→ The corpus luteum secretes large amounts of progesterone which is essential for the maintenance of the endometrium. During pregnancy, all events of the menstrual cycle stop and therefore there is no menstruation.

→ In human beings, menstrual cycles cases around 50 years of age. This is termed menopause. Cyclic mensuration is an indicator of normal reproductive life between menarche to menopause.

→ Fertilization is the process of fusion of a sperm. During this process, a sperm comes in contact with the zona pellucida layer of the ovum and induces changes in the membrane that block the entry of additional sperms. This ensures that only one sperm can fertilize an ovum.

→ The mitotic division starts as the zygote moves through the isthmus of the. oviduct towards the uterus and forms 2, 4, 8, 16 daughter cells called blastomeres. The embryo with 8 to 16 blastomeres is called a morula.

→ The trophoblast layer then gets attached to the endometrium and the inner cell mass gets differentiated as the embryo. After attachment, the uterine cells divide and cover the blastocyst. As a result, the blastocyte becomes embedded in the endometrium of the uterus. This is implantation and it leads to pregnancy.

→ The average duration of human pregnancy is about 9.5 months which is called the gestation period. Vigorous contraction of the uterus at the end of pregnancy causes expulsion/delivery of the fetus. The process of delivery of the fetus is called parturition.

→ The mammary glands of the female undergo differentiation during pregnancy and start producing milk towards the end of pregnancy by the process called lactation. The milk produced during the initial few days of lactation is called colostrum.

→ Leydig cells: Cells that synthesize and secrete testicular hormones called androgens.

→ Bulboureth rai glands: G Lands which help in the lubrication of the penis.

→ Clitoris: Tiny finger-like structure which lies at the upper junction of the two labia minora above the urethral opening.

→ Lactiferous duct: Duct through which milk is sucked out.

→ Spermiation: A process by which Sertoli cells are released from the seminiferous tubules.

→ Acrosome: Cap-like structure found ¡n sperm that help fertilization of the ovum.

→ Oogenesis: The process of formation of a mature female gamete.

→ Primary oocytes: The stage when cells start dividing and enter into prophase-l of the meiotic division and get temporarily arrested.

→ Menarche: The first menstruation begins at puberty and is called men arc he.

→ Menstrual cycle: In human females, menstruation is repeated at an average interval of about 28/29 days, and the cycle of events starting from one menstruation till the next is called the menstrual cycle.

→ Menopause: Menstrual cycles cease around 50 years of age. that is termed menopause.

→ Fertilization: The process of fusion of a sperm with an ovum is called fertilization.

→ Implantation: When the blastocysts become embedded in the endometrium of the uterus, it is called implantation.

→ Relaxin: A hormone secreted by the ovary in the late part of pregnancy.

→ Parturition: The process of delivery of the fetus is called parturition.

→ Colostrum: The milk produced during the initial days of lactation is called colostrum.

By going through these CBSE Class 12 Biology Notes Chapter 2 Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants, students can recall all the concepts quickly.

Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants Notes Class 12 Biology Chapter 2

→ Reproduction is the process of continuous production of offsprings. It is an important way of multiplication and perpetuation of species.

→ Modes of reproduction in plants can be broadly classified into two groups:

1. asexual reproduction,
2. sexual reproduction.

→ Asexual reproduction or Apomixis only takes place with a single parent. It does not involve the formation of sex organs, meiosis and fusion of gametes.

→ Regeneration of a whole new plant from vegetative parts of the plant is called vegetative reproduction. Its unique features of plants and can be natural or induced.

→ Runners, rhizomes, bulbs, corns and tubers are means of propagation.

→ Cutting, layering, grafting and micropropagation are artificial means of vegetative propagation. These are used for commer¬cially important plants.

→ A population of genetically identical plants derived from an individual is called a clone.

→ Plants that have lost the capacity to produce seeds e.g. banana, reproduce vegetatively.

→ Grafting is the technique used to improve the varieties of plants.

→ The flower and floral parts are the organs of sexual reproduction in angiosperms.

→ Sexual reproduction involves meiosis and the fusion of gametes.

→ The flower is a modified shoot with whorls of reproductive leaves – sepals, petals, stamens and carpels. Stamen and carpel are essential floral parts; sepals and petals are non-essential floral parts.

→ The calyx is the whorl of sepals. It is green in colour and protects the other parts of the bud. It prevents rapid transpiration.

→ Corolla is the whorl of petals. It is generally coloured, attractive and fragrant. It helps in pollination by attracting pollinators.

→ The androecium is the whorl of stamens. Stamen is made up of filament and anther. Anthers are bilobed and contain microsporangia (pollensac). Microsporangia produce a large number of pollen grains.

→ Gynoecium or pistil is the whorl of carpels. It consists of ovary, style and stigma.

→ Flowers that contain both stamen and pistil are called bisexual or hermaphrodite.

→ Stigma receives pollen grains, style provides the way to the ovary, the ovary is basal swollen part of gynoecium which contains ovules.

→ The ovule is an integument megasporangium where meiosis occurs and a megaspore is formed. It develops into an 8 nuclei embryosac.

→ Placentation is the manner in which the placenta is distributed. In the placenta, ovules are suspended.

→ The 8 nuclei of the monosporic embryo sac (e.g.Polygonum) are arranged such that a mature female gametophyte or embryosac contains: Two synergids, a single egg, a single secondary nucleus(2n) and three antipodals.,

→ Mature pollen grains are liberated from dehisced anthers. They are at a two-celled stage. The exine of pollen grains is made up of sporopollenin.

→ Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains to the stigma of the flower.

→ When the pollen grains are transferred from another to the stigma of the same flower it is called self-pollination. It occurs by autogamy and geitonogamy.

→ When pollen grains are transferred from the anther to the stigma of the flower of another plant it is termed cross-pollination. It takes place by the wind, water, insects, animals, bats and birds.

→ Allogamy represents cross-pollination where genetic recombination is ensured.

→ The pollen grains deposited on the stigma, after mutual recognition, absorb water and germinate and form a pollen tube.

→ Pollen tube traverses through stigma and style and reaches the ovary. It enters the ovule through micropyle, enters into embryo sac and releases two male gametes.

→ Siphonogamy is the carrying of male gametes to the egg through a pollen tube. It occurs in angiosperms.

→ Angiosperms exhibit double fertilization.

→ During fertilization, one male gamete fuses with the egg to form a diploid zygote in embryosac.

→ Second male gamete fuses with two polar nuclei to give rise to triploid primary endosperm nucleus inside embryosac.

→ After the process of fertilization, the ovule develops into a seed. The diploid zygote develops an embryo and the triploid primary endosperm nucleus forms an endosperm.

→ The ovary matures into a fruit.

→ The size, shape and colours of fruits and seeds vary enormously.

→ In a mature seed, the reserve food material is stored for embryo development and sustenance. In non-endospermic seeds, seeds are stored in cotyledons and in endospermic seeds, seeds are stored in endosperm.

→ The integuments of the ovule are transformed into seed coats.

→ All seeds have certain common features: an embryo, stored food and protective coverings.

→ Seeds are the principal means of the perpetuation of the species.

→ The embryo is differentiated into radicle, plumule and cotyledons. Dicot embryos have two cotyledons and monocot embryos have single terminal cotyledon.

→ A true fruit derived from the ovary consists of seeds and a pericarp. The pericarp is three layered-epicarp, mesocarp and endocarp.

→ Seed may remain dormant for some time before germination and growing into a new plant.

→ Amphimixis: The normal sexual reproduction is called

→ amphimixis. It involves meiosis and the fusion of haploid gametes.

→ Apomixis: It is the substitution of usual sexual reproduction which does not involve meiosis and syngamy.

→ Autogamy: Autõgamy results when a flower is pollinated by its own pollen.

→ Apogamy: It is the phenomenon in which an embryo is formed from any cell of embryosac (except egg) without fertilization.

→ Automixis: It is the fusion of nuclei derived both from the same zygote and from the same meiosis.

→ Aleurone layer: It is a layer of aleurone grains (protein grains) present on the outer surface of seeds and of maizë etc.

→ Coleoptile: The covering sheath of plumule in monocots.

→ Coleorhiza: The protective sheath of radicle in monocots.

→ Callus: The mass of undifferentiated cells formed in a culture medium.

→ Gootee: The process of air layering practised in lichi, promo- gran dates.

→ Grafting: Process of combining characters -of two related plants having vascular cambium.

→ Monogamy: The process of entry of pollen tube into ovule through integuments for fertilization.

→ Non-recurrent apomixis: The kind of apomixis in which the haploid egg or any other cell of haploid embryo sac develops an embryo without fertilization.

→ Polliniurn: Pollen grains contained in a pollen sac remain united in a single grain mass called pollinium.

→ Placentation: Arrangement and distribution of placenta within the ovary.

→ ParthenogeneSis: The kind of uniparental sexual reproduction in which an embryo is formed from an unfertilized egg.

→ PolyembryoflY: The phenomenon of formation of more than one embryo per ovule.

→ Pseudogamy: The phenomenon where pollination is needed for the development of apomictic embryò.

→ Scutellum: Single cotyledon of maize grain.

→ Siphonogamy: The process of carrying male gametes in the vicinity of female gamete by pollen tube.

→ Tapetum: The nutritive layer of cells around pollen sacs in anther.

→ Vivipary: The germination of seed within fruit while still attached to parent wall.

→ Viability: The ability of seeds to retain the power of germination.

By going through these CBSE Class 12 Biology Notes Chapter 1 Reproduction in Organisms, students can recall all the concepts quickly.

Reproduction in Organisms Notes Class 12 Biology Chapter 1

→ Reproduction is an important characteristic of the life cycle of living organisms. It involves producing offsprings from the existing (parent) organism. It occurs by asexual and sexual means.

→ Asexual reproduction generally takes place in protozoans, lower chordates, and lower invertebrates. It involves no formation and fusion of gametes. It occurs by various methods like budding, fission, fragmentation, plasmogamy, etc. Budding may be external (e.g. Hydra) or internal (e.g. Spongilla). Fission may be binary fission (e.g. Amoeba, Paramecium) or multiple fission (e.g. Amoeba, Plasmodium). Plasmotomy as in Opalina and fragmentation as in coelenterate colony and sponges.

→ Asexual reproduction is uniparental and does not produce variations in the next generation. The off-springs are identical to their parent and can be called clones.

→ Sexual reproduction takes place by the formation and fusion of gametes.
It involves various processes

1. gametogenesis i.e. formation of sex cells called the gametes. Gametes are produced by both male (male gamete) and female (female gamete) of the same species,
2. fertilization is the fusion of spermatozoa (male gamete) with the ovum (female gamete) to form a zygote,
3. development is the formation of a completely new individual from the zygote by repeated mitotic divisions.

→ Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of gametes called syngamy. It may be isogamous (e.g. Monocystis) or anisogamous (e.g. human beings). If the fusing gametes are similar (isogametes) .it is isogamous and if the fusing gametes are \ dissimilar, (heterogametes or isogametes) its anisogamy. In human beings, the sperm is microscopic, motile, and flagellated while the ovum is large, non-motile, spherical, and laden with food.

→ Syngamy may be exogamy if the fusing gametes are from two parents and endogamy if the fusing gametes are from the same parent.

→ Sperms and ova are produced by meiosis from spermatogonia and oogonia found in the testes of males and ovaries of females.

→ Sexual reproduction is biparental and introduces variations in the – offsprings. Sexual reproduction involving the fusion of male and female pronuclei is called conjugation e.g. ciliates.

→ Parthenogenesis is the process of the development of an egg into an offspring without fertilization. It may be natural (e.g. Apisindica) or artificial (Echinus). ,

→ Organisms may be unisexual or dioecious (e.g. human beings) or bisexual or monoecious (e.g. earthworm).

→ In sexually reproducing organisms the reproductive system consists of three types of organs:

1. primary sex organs, ‘viz. testes and ovaries, which produce haploid gametes by meiosis;
2. secondary sex organs, such as prostate and seminal vesicles in males and fallopian tubes, uterus, and vagina in the female, which are ducts to convey appropriate site for fertilization to the gametes and glands to provide useful secretions;
3. accessory sex organs, viz. facial hair, broad larynx, etc. in males and breasts in females, to distinguish between the two sexes by appearance.

→ The male reproductive system consists of a pair of testes suspended in the scrotal sac; a pair of ducts, each differentiated into an epididymis to store the sperms, a vas deferent for conduction of sperms and penis as an intermittent organ. A male urethra passing through an erectile penis, and 3 types of glands, viz., a pair of seminal vesicles, a prostate gland, and a pair of Cowper’s glands. The secretion of glands mix with sperms to form semen.

→ Testes consist of numerous coiled seminiferous tubules (crypts). Each is lined by germinal epithelium formed of germ cells and Sertoli (nurse) cells. Germ cells produce spermatozoa which obtain nutrition from the Sertoli cells. The interstitial cells (Leydig’s cells) of testes produce the male sex hormone, testosterone. Secondary sex glands of males include a prostrate, two seminal vesicles, and two Cowper’s glands. The secretion of these glands along with the sperms from the semen.

→ The female reproductive system is comprised of a pair of ovaries, two fallopian tubes (oviducts), a uterus, and a vagina. Each ovary is lined by the germinal epithelium of germ cells which form primary follicles. A primary follicle changes into Graafian follicles under the influence of FSH. Ovulation is controlled by the Luteinising hormone. Ovaries also secrete estrogens and progesterone hormones. ,

→ Fallopian tubes (oviducts) are differentiated into infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus, and uterine part. Fallopian tubes conduct the ovum towards the uterus.

→ The uterus is the site of fetal growth during pregnancy. The uterus (womb) is differentiated into the fundus, body, and cervix. The vagina acts as the birth canal. Vulva is the external genitalia. It comprises of vestibule, labiaminora, labia majora and clitoris. Breasts are accessory sex organs of females. Their size depends upon the estrogen of the ovary at puberty and lactogenic hormone after parturition.

→ Puberty is the period of sexual maturity. It is characterized by the development of secondary sexual characters. It comes between 13 to 16 years in the male and between 10 to 14 years in the female. It is controlled by testosterone in male and estrogens in the female.

→ Gametogenesis is the process of formation of haploid gametes (sperms and ova) in the primary sex organs, gonads (testes and ovaries).

→ Spermatogenesis occurs in seminiferous tubules of the testes. In it, diploid spermatogonium undergoes growth phase to form diploid primary spermatocyte which undergoes meiosis and form 4 haploid spermatids. Each spermatid transforms into sperm by a process called spermiogenesis. A mature sperm consists of a head, a neck, a middle piece, and a tail.

→ Oogenesis occurs in the ovary. A diploid oogonium undergoes a growth phase and forms a diploid primary oocyte which undergoes meiosis and forms a haploid ovum in 2 or 3 polar bodies. The human ovum is alecithal and is surrounded by many egg envelopes.

→ The menstrual cycle is cyclic changes in the ovaries and the reproductive tracts of primate females which culminate into the period vaginal bleeding called menstruation. It takes 28 days. It consists of four phases: Proliferative, ovulatory, luteal, and menstrual. The proliferative phase involves the growth and proliferation of the uterine endometrium, fallopian tubes, and vagina.

→ Ovulation occurs in the ovulatory phase. In the luteal phase, empty Graafian follicle changes into corpus luteum which secretes progesterone, further proliferation of the endometrium, and secretion of uterine milk. This is followed by menstruation if the ovum remains unfertilized. If fertilization occurs it is followed by implantation and normal growth of the fetus.

→ Menopause is the period when ovulation and the menstrual cycle stops. It generally occurs between 45 to 55 years.

→ The primate females show the menstrual cycle, the females of most of the mammals become sexually responsive during the heat period, they have an estrous cycle.

→ Asexual reproduction: Reproduction which involves no formation and fusion of gametes.

→ Binary fission: Type of asexual reproduction in which parent divides into two daughters.

→ Conjugation: Type of sexual reproduction found in ciliate protozoans. e.g. Paramecium.

→ Copulation: the sexual union of male and fèrnale. Also called coition.

→ Cytokinesis: Division of cytoplasm during cell division.

→ Epididymis: Secondary sex organs of males, which store sperms.

→ Gametogenesis: The formation of haploid gametes in the gonads.

→ Gestation period: The period of embryonic development between fertilization and delivery.

→ Hermaphrodite: Organisms with both testes and ovaries.

→ Isogamy: When two fusing gametes are morphologically and physiologically similar.

→ Karyokinesis: Division of the nucleus during the cell division.

→ Menopause: Period when ovulation and menstruation stop in the female.

→ Oogenesis: Formation of the ovum in the ovary.

→ Parthenogenesis: Development of an unfertilized ovum.

→ Reproduction: Method of producing progeny by the existing individuals for the continuation of the race.

→ Sexual reproduction: Method of reproduction that involves fusion of the gametes.

→ Spermatogenesis: Formation of haploid sperms in the testes.

→ Vitellogenesis: Formation of the yolk in the ovum.

By going through these CBSE Class 12 Hindi Notes Chapter 4 डायरी के पन्ने Summary, Notes, students can recall all the concepts quickly.

डायरी के पन्ने Summary Notes Class 12 Hindi Vitan Chapter 4

डायरी के पन्ने पाठ का सारांश

ऐन फ्रैंक की डायरी ‘ऐन फ्रैंक द्वारा रचित ‘डायरी’ विधा को एक सशक्त कृति है। यह डायरी दवितीय विश्व युद्ध के समय यहदियों पर ढाए गए जुल्मों और मानसिक यातनाओं का जीवंत दस्तावेज़ है। यहूदी समुदाय ऐसा समुदाय था जिसे द्वितीय विश्व युद्ध में सबसे ज्यादा कष्ट उठाने पड़े। उन्हें गुप्त तहखानों में लंबे-लंबे अरसे तक गुजर-बसर करना पड़ा। वहाँ उन्हें भूख, गरीबी, बीमारी, शारीरिक एवं मानसिक पीड़ाओं को सहते हुए पशुओं जैसा जीवन जीना पड़ा। जर्मनी के नाजियों के शिकंजे में फंसकर उन्हें अनेक अमानवीय यातनाओं से दो-चार होना पड़ा।

ऐन फ्रैंक की डायरी दो यहूदी परिवारों के अज्ञातवास की व्यथा-कथा है। एक था फ्रैंक परिवार, जिसमें माता-पिता और उनकी दो बेटियाँ मार्गोट और ऐन थीं। मार्गोट की उम्र सोलह साल और ऐन की आयु तेरह साल की थी। उनके साथ दूसरा परिवार था वान दान दंपती और उनका सोलह वर्षीय बेट पीटर। उनके साथ आठवाँ व्यक्ति था मिस्टर डसेल। इस आठ सदस्यीय परिवार की फ्रैंक साहब के कार्यालय में काम करने वाले ईसाई कर्मचारियों ने मानवीय स्तर पर मदद की थी।

ऐन ने इसी अज्ञातवास को कलमबद्ध किया। इस डायरी में भय, आतंक, बीमारी, भूख, प्यास, मानवीय संवेदनाएँ, प्रेम, घृणा, हवाई हमले का डर, पकड़े जाने का भय, बढ़ती उम्र की तकलीफें, सपने, कल्पनाएँ, बाहरी दुनिया से डरने की पीड़ा, मानसिक एवं शारीरिक आवश्यकताएं हंसी-मजाक, युद्ध की पीड़ा और अकेलेपन का दर्द सब कुछ लिपिबद्ध है। यह पीडाजन्य स्थितियों को दर्ज करती डायरी 2 जून, 1942 से शुरू होकर 1 अगस्त, 1944 के बीच लिखी गई है।

4 अगस्त, 1944 को किसी व्यक्ति की सूचना पर इन आठ लोगों को पकड़ लिया जाता है। सौभाग्य से यह डायरी पुलिस के हत्थे नहीं चढ़ी, वरना तो यह डायरी कहीं गुम होकर रह जाती। 1945 में ऐन की असमय मृत्यु के पश्चात उनके पिता ओरो फ्रैंक ने इसे 1947 में प्रकाशित करवाया। ऐन ने यह डायरी चिट्ठियों के माध्यम से लिखी थीं। ये चिटूठियाँ ऐन ने उपहार के रूप में मिली गडिया ‘किकी’ को संबोधित करके लिखी थीं।

8 जुलाई, सन 1942 दिन बुधवार को अपनी प्यारी किकी को संबोधित करके लिखी चिट्ठी में ऐन बताती है कि वह रविवार की दोपहर थी। मैं बाल्कनी में धूप से अलसाई-सी बैठी थी इसलिए मुझे दरवाजे की घंटी की आवाज सुनाई दी। वहाँ मेरी बड़ी बहन मार्गोट भी थी। वह गुस्से में दिख रही थी, क्योंकि युद्ध के दिनों में पापा को ए० एस० एस० से बुलाने का नोटिस मिला था। माँ उस समय पापा के बिजनेस पार्टनर मिस्टर वान दान को देखने गई हुई थी। यह सुनकर मैं हैरान रह गई थी। यह सब कोई जानता है कि ए० एस० एस० के बुलाने का अर्थ है कि यातना और बंद कोठरियों, परंतु हम सभी इस बात के लिए राजी नहीं थे कि पापा बंद कोठरी में यातनाएँ सहें।

इसलिए हम सभी ने यह निर्णय लिया कि सभी पापा के कार्यालय और उससे सटे गोदाम में अज्ञातवासी के रूप में रहेंगे। इसलिए हम सबने अपने दैनिक जीवन की जरूरतों के लिए आवश्यक सामान थैलों में भरा और पापा के कार्यालय के कमरों में रहने लगे। वहाँ चारों ओर अव्यवस्था तथा फाइलें और अलमारियों का साम्राज्य था। थोड़ा बहुत ठीक करके हम सब वहाँ हँसी-मजाक, रूठना-मनाना, जोक सुनना-सुनाना और बहसों आदि में समय व्यतीत करने लगे। दिन का उजाला हमारे लिए दूर की बात थी। रात के अंधेरे में दिन कटते थे। वहाँ एक-एक सप्ताह के लिए बिजली गुल हो जाती थी। चार बजते ही अंधेरा छा जाता था।

यह समय हम ऊल-जलूल की हरकतें करते गुजारते थे। हम पहेलियाँ बुझाते थे, अंधेरे में व्यायाम करते, अंग्रेजी और फ्रैंच में बातचीत करते तथा किताबों की समीक्षा किया करते थे। अब मैने समय गुजारने का नया तरीका ढूंढ़ निकाला था। मैंने दूरबीन लगाकर पड़ोसियों के रोशनी वाले कमरों में झाँकना शुरू किया। दिन में पर्दे नहीं हटा सकते थे परंतु रात के अंधेरे में पर्दे हटा दिए जाते थे। हमारे पड़ोसी बड़े दिलचस्प लोग थे। जब मैंने अपने पड़ोसियों को दूरबीन से देखा तो पाया कि कोई खाना खा रहा था, कोई फ़िल्म बना रहा था, तो सामने वाले घर में एक दंत चिकित्सक एक सहमी हुई बुढ़िया के दाँतों से जूझ रहा था।

मिस्टर डसेल बच्चों के साथ खूब आनंदपूर्ण रहते थे और उन्हें खूब प्यार करते थे। वे एक अनुशासन-प्रिय व्यक्ति थे और अनुशासन । पर लंबे-लंबे भाषण दिया करते थे। ये भाषण उबाऊ और नींद लाने वाले होते थे। मैं उनके भाषणों को केवल सुनने का अभिनय किया करती थी। वे मेरी इन सभी बातों को मम्मी को बताया करते और मम्मी मुझे खूब डाँटा करती थी फिर मुझे मिसेज वान अपने पास बुलाया करती थी। यह बात ऐन ने किकी को शनिवार 26 नवंबर, 1942 की चिट्ठी में लिखी थी।

शुक्रवार 19 मार्च, 1943 की चिट्ठी में ‘किकी’ को ऐन लिखती है कि हमें यह सुनकर निराशा हुई कि टर्की अभी युद्ध में शामिल नहीं हुआ है। यह भी खबर थी कि एक केंद्रीय मंत्री का बयान आया कि जल्द ही टर्की यह तटस्थता खत्म कर देगा और अखबार बेचने वाला चिल्ला रहा था कि ‘टर्की इंग्लैंड के पक्ष में और भी अनेक उत्साहवर्धक अफवाहें सुनने को मिल रही थीं। हजार गिल्डर के नोट अवैध मुद्रा घोषित कर दिए गए थे। काला धंधा करने वालों के लिए यह एक बड़ा झटका था। ये लोग अब भूमिगत हो गए थे। पाँच सौ गिल्डर के नोट भी अब बेकार हो गए थे। मार्गोट मिस्टर डसेल की डच अध्यापिका बन गई थी। वह उनके पत्र ठीक किया करती थी। पापा ।

के मना करने के बाद मार्गोट ने यह कार्य बंद कर दिया था परंतु मुझे फिर लगने लगा कि वह मिस्टर डसेल को चिट्ठियाँ लिखना फिर शुरू कर रही थी। मिस्टर हिटलर की घायल सैनिकों से बातचीत हमने रेडियो के माध्यम से सुनी थी। यह एक करुणाजनक अनुभव था। – ऐन ‘किकी’ को लिखी एक चिट्ठी में जिक्र करती है कि मुझे पिछले सप्ताहों से परिवार के वृक्षों और वंशावली तालिकाओं में खासी रुचि हो गई थी। यह काम करने मैं इस नतीजे पर पहुंची कि एक बार तुम खोजना शुरू कर दो तो तुम्हें अतीत में गहरे और गहरे उतरना पड़ेगा। मेरे पास फ़िल्मी कलाकारों की तस्वीरों का एक अच्छा खासा संग्रह हो गया था।

मिस्टर कुगलर हर सोमवार मेरे लिए एक ‘सिनेमा म एंड थियेटर’ पत्रिका की प्रति अवश्य लाते थे। मैं फ़िल्म के मुख्य नायकों और नायिकाओं के नाम और समीक्षा फरटि से करती थी। जब मैं नई केश-सज्जा बनाकर बाहर निकलती तो मुझे यह अंदेशा पहले ही रहता था कि लोग मुझे टोककर कहेंगे कि मैं फलाँ फ़िल्म की स्टार की नकल कर रही है। जब मैं यह कहती कि यह मेरा अपना आविष्कार है तो लोग मेरा मजाक करते थे। जहाँ तक मेरे हेयर स्टाइल का। सवाल है यह आधे घंटे से अधिक टिक नहीं पाता था। मैं इससे बोर हो जाती और सबकी टिप्पणियाँ सुनते-सुनते मेरे कान पकने लगते।। मैं सीधे गुसलखाने में जाती और मेरे बाल फिर से उलझकर धुंधराले हो जाते थे।

ऐन फ्रैंक बुधवार 28 जनवरी, 1944 को एक चिट्ठी के माध्यम से अपनी प्यारी गुड़िया ‘किकी’ को बताती है कि जान और मिस्टर क्लीमेन भी अज्ञातवास में छुपे अथवा भूमिगत हो गए थे। लोगों के बारे में कहना और सुनना अच्छा लगता था। हम सभी उनकी बातों को। ध्यान से सुना करते थे। वह कहा करते थे कि ‘हमें उन सबकी तकलीफों से हमदर्दी है जो गिरफ्तार हो गए हैं और उन लोगों की खुशी में ! हमारी खुशी है जो कैद से आजाद हो गए हैं।

भूमिगत होना या अज्ञातवास चले जाना अब आम बात हो गई है। कुछ लोग ऐसे भी हैं जो छुपे लोगों को वित्तीय सहायता पहुँचाते हैं। यह बात हैरान कर देने वाली है कि ये लोग अपनी जान जोखिम में डाल करीदूसरों की मदद। करते हैं। इसमें सबसे बढ़िया उन लोगों का है जो आज तक हमारी मदद कर रहे हैं और हमें उम्मीद है कि हमें सुरक्षित किनारे तक ले जाएँगे। वे प्रतिदिन ऊपर हमारे पास आकर कारोबार और राजनीति की बातें करते थे। वे हमारे जन्मदिनों पर फूल और उपहार लेकर आते । थे। वे हमें हमेशा खुश रखने के लिए कोशिश करते रहते थे। वे सदैव अपनी बेहतरीन भावनाओं और प्यार से हमारे दिल को जीत लेते थे।

4. ऐन ‘किकी’ को संबोधन करते हुए कहती है कि कैबिनेट मंत्री बाल्के स्टीन ने लंदन से डच प्रसारण में कहा है कि युद्ध के बाद । युद्ध का वर्णन करने वाली डायरियों और पत्रों का संग्रह किया जाएगा। यह सुनते ही हर कोई मेरी डायरी को पाने के लिए उत्सुक था। ऐन सोचती है कि दस साल बाद जब लोगों को पता चलेगा कि हम किस प्रकार अज्ञातवास में जी रहे थे, शायद लोग चकित रह जाएंगे। हवाई हमले के समय औरतें बुरी तरह से डर जाती थीं। जब ब्रिटिश लड़ाकू जहाज 550 टन गोला बारूद बरसाते थे तो हमारे घर घास की पत्तियों की तरह काँप जाते थे। हमारे घरों में अनेक अजीब तरह की महामारियाँ फैल रही थीं।

चोरी-चकारी की घटनाएं लगातार बढ़ रही थीं। डच लोगों में अंगूठी पहनने का रिवाज खत्म हो गया था। आठ-दस वर्ष के छोटे बच्चे घरों की खिड़कियाँ तोड़कर घरों में घुस जाते । थे। उनको जो चीज़ हाथ लगती थी, उसे चुरा ले जाते थे। अगर आप अपने घर से पाँच मिनट के लिए बाहर चले गए तो आपका घर पूरी तरह से साफ़ हो चुका होता था। गली नुक्कड़ों पर बिजली से चलने वाली घड़ियाँ चोरी हो जाती थीं तथा सार्वजनिक टेलीफोनों और उनके पुर्जे अचानक गायब हो जाते थे। डच लोग भूखे रहते थे। पुरुषों को जर्मनी भेजा जा रहा था। घर में बच्चे बीमार थे और भूख से बेहाल थे। सब लोग फटे-पुराने कपड़े पहनते थे तथा फटे जूतों को पहनकर काम चला रहे थे। बिल्कुल जीवन दूभर हो गया था।

मंगलवार 11 अप्रैल, सन् 1944 के दिन लिखी डायरी में ऐन लिखती है कि शनिवार के कोई दो बजे तेज गोलाबारी शुरू हो गई थी। मशीनगनें आग बरसा रही थीं। रविवार के दिन पीटर और मैं दूसरी मंजिल पर सटे बैठे थे। हम छह बजे ऊपर गए और सवा सात बजे तक एक-दूसरे से सटकर बैठे रहे क्योंकि कुशन बहुत छोटा था। रेडियो पर बहुत ही खूबसूरत भोजाई संगीत बज रहा था। मुझे रात को बजने वाला राग बहुत भाता है। यह संगीत मेरी आत्मा की गहराइयों में उतरता चला जा रहा था।

चूंकि हम मिस्टर डसेल का कुशन ऊपर ले गए थे और इसी बात को लेकर मि० डसेल नाराज हो रहे थे इसलिए हम जल्दी से भागकर नीचे उतर आए थे। हमने मिस्टर डसेल के कुशन में कुछ ब्रुश डाल दिए। हम यह अंदाजा लगा रहे थे कि मिस्टर डसेल इस पर बैठेंगे तो खूब हँसेंगे परंतु मिस्टर डसेल अपने कमरे । में जाकर बैठ गए और फिर हमने कुशन में डाले ब्रुशों को बाहर निकाला। इस छोटे से प्रहसन पर हँसते-हँसते हमारा बुरा हाल हो रहा था।

लेकिन जल्द ही यह हँसी-मज़ाक डर में तबदील हो गई जब यह अंदाजा लगाया गया कि पुलिस के आने की आशंका है। सभी मर्द लोग इस बात को लेकर नीचे चले गए थे और औरतें डर से सहमी हुई थीं। फिर बत्तियाँ बुझा दी गई थीं। देवी रात जब सभी मर्द एक बार । फिर नीचे गोदाम में गए तो सेंधमार अपने काम में लगे हुए थे। मर्दो को देखकर वे भाग गए थे। उनका यह प्रयास निष्फल कर दिया गया. था। यह घटना अपने आप में एक बड़ी मुसीबत थी।

13 जून, दिन मंगलवार, 1944 की चिट्ठी में ऐन ‘किकी’ को बताती है कि अब वह पंद्रह वर्ष की हो गई है। इस जन्मदिन पर सभी ने मुझे उपहार दिए थे। अब दुश्मन देशों के एक-दूसरे पर हमले तेज़ हो गए थे। बेहद खराब मौसम, लगातार वर्षा, तेज़ हवाएँ और समुद्र अपने पूरे उफान पर था। चर्चिल तथा अन्य अधिकारी उन गाँवों का दौरा कर रहे थे जिन पर ब्रिटिश सैनिकों ने कब्जा कर लिया तथा बाद के में मुक्त कर दिया था। चर्चिल एक जन्मजात बहादुर थे। वे टॉरपीड नाव में थे। इन्हीं टारपीड नावों के माध्यम से तटों पर गोलाबारी की जाती थीं। अगर ब्रिटिश ने जर्मनी के साथ संधि कर ली होती तो हालैंड और उसके पड़ोसी देशों के हालात खराब हो जाते। हालैंड जर्मनी 1 बन चुका होता और इस प्रकार उसका अंत भी हो सकता था।

ऐन अपनी निजी बात को सार्वजनिक करते हुए ‘किकी’ को कहती है कि “यह सच है कि पीटर मुझे प्यार करता है, गर्लफ्रेंड की। तरह नहीं बल्कि एक दोस्त की तरह। उसका स्नेह दिन पर दिन बढ़ता ही जा रहा है लेकिन कोई रहस्यमयी ताकत हम दोनों को पीछे की तरफ खींचती है। मैं नहीं जानती कि वो कौन-सी शक्ति है।” ऐन पीटर के प्रेम में दीवानी है। वह स्वयं कहती है ‘अगर मैं उसके कमरे में एक-दो दिन के लिए न जा पाऊँ तो मेरी बुरी हालत हो जाती है, मैं उसके लिए तड़पने लगती हूँ।’

पीटर एक सच्चा, अच्छा और ईमानदार लड़का है लेकिन वह मुझे कई तरह से निराश करता है। वह शांतिप्रिय, सहज, सरल, सहनशील एवं आत्मीय व्यक्ति था। उसका । एक मिशन था कि वह उन सभी इल्जामों को गलत साबित कर सके जो उसके ऊपर लगे हुए थे। उसके मन में मेरे प्रति जो बात थी वह कहना चाहता था परंतु पता नहीं क्यों वह इसे अभिव्यक्त नहीं करना चाहता था। हम दोनों अपने अतीत, वर्तमान और भविष्य की बातें किया करते थे, परंतु वह चीज़ (प्रेम) जो हम दोनों के मन में थी उसकी बात कभी नहीं किया करते थे।

हम अपने प्रकृति प्रेम के बारे में ऐन कहती हैं कि वह प्रकृति को निहारना चाहती है और यही सोचकर उन स्मृतियों में खो जाती है। – जब नीला आकाश, पक्षियों की चहचहाने की आवाजें, चाँदनी रात और खिली कलियाँ उस पर जादू-सा कर देती थीं। अब ये सभी चीजें बीते जमाने की हो गई हैं। वह आगे कहती है-“आसमान, बादलों, चाँद और तारों की तरफ देखना मुझे शांति और आशा की भावना से । सरोबार कर देता है।”

उसके दिमाग में कुछ इस प्रकार के प्रश्न उठते हैं जो उसे लगातार परेशान करते थे जैसे पुरुषों का औरतों पर शुरू। से शासन करना। सौभाग्य से शिक्षा, काम और प्रगति ने औरतों की आँखें खोल दी हैं। अब कई देशों में उन्हें बराबरी का दर्जा दिया जाता है। आधुनिक महिलाएँ अब स्वतंत्र होना चाहती हैं। वह चाहती है कि महिलाओं का पूरा सम्मान होना चाहिए। वह पुरुष की मानसिकता के बारे में कहती है कि “सैनिकों और युद्धों के वीरों का सम्मान किया जाता है, उन्हें अलंकृत किया जाता है, उन्हें अमर बना डालने । तक का शौर्य प्रदान किया जाता है, शहीदों को पूजा भी जाता है, लेकिन कितने लोग ऐसे हैं जो औरतों को भी सैनिक का दर्जा देते हैं ?”

लेखक श्री पोल दे क्रुइफ की ‘मौत के खिलाफ मनुष्य एक पुस्तक में जिक्र करते हुए वह कहती है कि आमतौर पर युद्ध में लड़ने वाले वीर सैनिक जितनी तकलीफ, पीड़ा, दर्द, बीमारी और यंत्रणा उठाते हैं उससे कहीं अधिक दर्द वे औरतें उठाती हैं जो बच्चे को जन्म देती हैं। जब बच्चा जनने के बाद औरत के शरीर का आकर्षण कम हो जाता है तो उन्हें उनके हाल पर छोड़ दिया जाता है। लोग शायद ये। भूल जाते हैं कि औरत ही मानव जाति की निरंतरता बनाए रखती है।

वह लगातार संघर्ष करती है शायद इतना संघर्ष सारे सिपाही मिलकर भी नहीं करते। वह अंत में कहती है कि मैं कदापि यह नहीं चाहती कि औरतें बच्चे जनना बंद कर दें, परंतु मैं उन लोगों के खिलाफ हूँ जो समाज में औरतों के सौंदर्यमयी योगदान को महान नहीं मानते। वह आशा के साथ अपने कथन को समाप्त करती है कि अगली सदी । में औरतें ज्यादा सम्मान और सराहना की हकदार बनेंगी।