Viviparity refers to the reproductive strategy in which

1. Analyze the question The question asks for the definition of viviparity, a term describing how animals reproduce and where the young develop.

2. Explain the concept The word comes from Latin vivus (alive) and parere (to give birth). In viviparity, the embryo develops inside the mother's body and is nourished directly by her, usually through a placenta. The young are then born alive.

Compare the three main reproductive strategies:

• Oviparity: eggs are laid and the embryo develops outside the mother's body, feeding on yolk (birds, most reptiles, frogs, fish).
• Ovoviviparity: eggs develop inside the mother but feed on yolk, not on the mother (some sharks, some snakes).
• Viviparity: the embryo develops inside the mother and is nourished by her (humans, goats, cattle, dogs, most mammals).

3. Solution: check each option

• A. Internal fertilization: This is not specific to viviparity. Birds and reptiles also fertilize internally but lay eggs, so this is wrong.
• B. External fertilization: This is typical of many fish and amphibians and has nothing to do with live birth, so this is wrong.
• C. Offspring develop and are nourished inside the female's body: This matches the definition of viviparity exactly, so it is correct.
• D. Offspring develop and are nourished outside the female's body: This describes oviparity, so this is wrong.

4. Answer

5. Exam tip Link the word to "alive", as in "vivid" or "survive". Viviparous animals give birth to live young that grew inside the mother. Don't confuse internal fertilization with viviparity, because JAMB often uses it as a distractor. Fertilization tells you where the sperm meets the egg, while viviparity tells you where the young develop and get their food.