Biology 2007 Set 1 Close

Subjective Test

(i) All questions are compulsory.

(ii) This question paper consists of four sections A, B, C and D.
Section A contains 5 questions of one mark each.
Section B is of 10 questions of two marks each.
Section C is of 10 questions of three marks each and
Section D is of 3 questions of five marks each.
(iii) There is no overall choice. However, an internal choice has been
provided.
(iv) Wherever necessary, the diagrams drawn should be neat and properly
labelled.

Section A

Question 1 ( 1.0 marks)

What is the importance of the epiglottis in human body?
Solution:
Epiglottis is a cartilaginous flap that prevents the entry of food into the glottis
(i.e., the opening of the wind pipe) during swallowing.
Question 2 ( 1.0 marks)
What happens to the glycogen concentration in the liver cells when the level of
adrenaline increases in the blood stream of humans?
Solution:
Adrenaline increases the catabolism of glycogen to glucose in the liver. Hence,
when there is an increase in the level of adrenaline, there is a simultaneous
decrease in the concentration of glycogen.
Question 3 ( 1.0 marks)
Mention the scientific term used for modified form of reproduction in which
seeds are formed without fusion of gametes.
Solution:
Apomixis is the modified form of reproduction in which seeds are formed
without the fusion of gametes.
Question 4 ( 1.0 marks)
What does ecological niche of an organism represent?
Solution:
Ecological niche represents the response of an organism or population to the
distribution of resources and competitors, and how it alters these factors. For
example, when resources are abundant, an organism grows.
Question 5 ( 1.0 marks)
It was diagnosed by a specialist that the immune system of the body of a
patient has been suppressed. Name the disease the patient has been suffering
from and its causative agent.
Solution:
The patient is suffering from AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome).
The causative agent of the disease is HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus).
Section B

Question 6 ( 2.0 marks)

Where are casparian strips located in a plant body and what are they made up
of? Mention its function.

OR

What is respiration quotient (RQ)? Under what conditions will the value of RQ be
1? Explain.
Solution:
Casparian strip is located in the inner boundary of the cortex called
the endodermis.

Casparian strip is made up of a band of suberised matrix.

Function:

Water molecules are unable to penetrate this layer, so they are directed towards
the non-suberised wall regions, into the cells, through the membranes. The
water then crosses the symplast and the membrane once again to finally reach
the xylem.

The movement of water through the root layer is symplastic in the endodermis,
and this is the only system by which water and other solutes enter the vascular
cylinder.

OR

Respiratory Quotient or Respiratory Ratio is the ratio of volume of carbon

dioxide evolved to the volume of oxygen consumed during aerobic respiration.

RQ depends upon the type of substrate used during respiration. RQ is 1 when

carbohydrates are used as substrate.
Question 7 ( 2.0 marks)
What is resting membrane potential of a neuron? What is the role of sodium
potassium pumps in maintaining it?
Solution:
The electrical potential difference across a resting plasma membrane is called
resting membrane potential.

Role of sodium−potassium pump in maintaining resting membrane potential:

• Resting axonal membrane is more permeable to K+ and nearly

impermeable to Na+. So, the axoplasm inside the membrane contains
higher concentration of K+ and lower concentration of Na+, while the
fluid outside the axon contains lower concentration of K+ and higher
concentration of Na+.
• This creates a concentration gradient. This gradient is maintained by the
sodium−potassium pump that transports 3 Na+ out of the cell for every
2 K+ that it causes to move into the same.
• So, the outer surface of the membrane becomes positively charged,
 while the inner surface becomes negatively charged. The membrane is
therefore polarised.
Question 8 ( 2.0 marks)
Draw a diagram of external view of a human brain. Label the frontal lobe,
temporal lobe, occipital lobe and cerebellum.
Solution:
Out of current syllabus
Question 9 ( 2.0 marks)
How is the milk production regulated by hormones in human female? Explain.
Solution:
1. Prolactin promotes the growth of mammary glands and formation of milk in
them.

2. Oxytocin acts on the smooth muscles of the body and promotes their
contraction. It stimulates milk ejection from the mammary glands.

3. Progesterone helps in the secretion of milk from the mammary glands.

Question 10 ( 2.0 marks)
Explain the significance of the auxin / cytokinin ratio in plant tissue culture.
Solution:
Auxin to cytokinin ratio in tissue culture formulae affects the proportional
growth of shoots and roots in vitro. Auxin promotes apical dominance while
cytokinin checks it.

Hence, in the event of an increase in this ratio (i.e., when auxin increases or
cytokinin decreases), roots are more likely to be produced. Root growth declines
and shoot initiation and growth are promoted if there is a decrease in the same
ratio.
Question 11 ( 2.0 marks)
What does S-shaped pattern of population growth represent? How is J-shaped
pattern different from it and why?
Solution:
S-shaped or sigmoid curve represents the growth of population in a habitat with
limited resources. It has the following phases.

1. Lag phase or acclimatisation phase

2. Phases of acceleration or deceleration

3. Asymptote, when population density reaches the carrying capacity (beyond

which no further growth is possible)

While S-shaped curve represents population growth in the presence of limiting

factors, J-shaped curve represents population growth in the absence of limiting
factors, i.e., in the presence of unlimited resources, without considering the
carrying capacity of the habitat.

Hence, it can be said that S-shaped curve is more realistic as compared to J-

shaped curve.
Question 12 ( 2.0 marks)
What does secondary productivity in an ecosystem indicate? List any two factors
by which productivity is limited in aquatic ecosystems.
Solution:
Secondary productivity is the rate of formation of new organic matter by
consumers.

Some factors limiting the productivity in oceans:

(a) Algae and small phytoplanktons − They carry out most of the production
in oceans.

(b) Temperature − It affects the metabolic rates, and has wide ranges in
oceans as compared to on land.

(c) Light − It affects the rate of photosynthesis.

Question 13 ( 2.0 marks)
How do viruses enter plant body and spread to long distances within it? Mention
any two ways by which viruses spread from one plant to another.
Solution:
Out of current syllabus
Question 14 ( 2.0 marks)
In what form do plants absorb calcium from the soil? List any two calcium
deficiency symptoms in plants.
Solution:
Plants absorb calcium from the soil in the form of calcium ions (Ca2+).

Two symptoms of calcium deficiency in plants include necrosis (i.e., death of

tissue, especially leaf tissue) and inhibition of cell division.
Question 15 ( 2.0 marks)
What is vernalisation? How is the process of vernalisation advantageous to
plants?
Solution:
Vernalisation refers to the promotion of flowering due to a period of exposure to
low temperature. Here, flowering is dependent either quantitatively or
qualitatively on exposure to lower temperature.

Advantage:

Vernalisation prevents premature reproductive development in a plant late in

the growing season, thereby giving the plant sufficient time to reach maturity.

Section C

Question 16 ( 3.0 marks)

Explain the theory of capillarity of water translocation in plants. Can the theory
explain translocation of water in 100 m tall trees? Give one reason.
Solution:
Out of current syllabus
Question 17 ( 3.0 marks)
What is symbiotic nitrogen fixation? Name the two protein components needed
for this process. Explain their role.

OR

List the various modes of heterotrophic nutrition in plants. Explain any two
modes giving one example of each.
Solution:
Reduction of nitrogen to ammonia by organisms (e.g., Rhizobium, Frankia, etc.)
living symbiotically with the roots of certain leguminous plants (e.g., alfalfa,
sweet pea, garden pea, etc.) is termed as symbiotic nitrogen fixation.

Nitrogenase and leg-haemoglobin are the two protein components needed

for this process.

Functions:

Nitrogenase acts on substrate nitrogen and converts it into ammonia, the first
stable product of nitrogen fixation. Nitrogenase catalyses the following reaction.

N2 + 8e- + 8H+ + 16ATP → 2NH3 + H2 + 16ADP + 16Pi

Nitrogenase is highly sensitive to molecular oxygen. It requires anaerobic

conditions. It must be protected from oxygen, and to do so, the root nodules
have an oxygen scavenger called leg-haemoglobin.

OR

Out of current syllabus

Question 18 ( 3.0 marks)
What is biological magnification? Explain how DDT as a water pollutant
undergoes biological magnification.
Solution:
Biological magnification refers to the increase in the concentration of a toxicant
at successive trophic levels.

DDT as a pollutant is biomagnified in the following manner.

• When the toxic substance or pollutant cannot be excreted or

metabolised by an organism, it is passed on to the next trophic level.
• In this way, the concentration of the pollutant keeps increasing at each
successive trophic level.
• For example, if the concentration of DDT in water is 0.003 ppb, it can
ultimately reach 25 ppb in fish-eating birds, passing and magnifying
through the various trophic levels of water, as shown in the diagram.

Question 19 ( 3.0 marks)

What are exotic species? Explain with the help of two examples how the exotic
species disturb the native species of an ecosystem.
Solution:
An exotic species is a non-native plant or animal deliberately or accidentally
introduced into a new habitat.

Such species are able to reproduce and survive outside of the habitats where
they evolved.

Exotic species adversely affect the environment because:-

1. When such species are introduced into an area, they may increase
predation and competition, diseases, and habitat destruction.
2. In marine areas, such species may cause blockage of pipelines, and this
ultimately has an adverse effect on the economy.
3. Such species may be responsible for the destruction of valuable
commercial and sport fishing species.
Question 20 ( 3.0 marks)
In what forms are nitrogenous wastes excreted in birds, humans and aquatic
turtles respectively? Why so, explain?
Solution:
• Birds − They are uricotelic, i.e., they excrete uric acid. The uric acid is
excreted in the form of pellets or paste so as to minimise water loss.
• Humans − They are ureotelic as they excrete urea. The metabolic
product ammonia is converted into urea in the liver of mammals, and is
released into the blood, which is filtered by the kidneys.
• Turtles − They excrete ammonia. Hence, they are ammonotelic. Since
turtles are amphibians, ammonia is excreted through diffusion across
their body surface.
Question 21 ( 3.0 marks)
A patient was complaining of frequent urination, excessive thirst and
dehydration. His fasting glucose level was found to be normal. Name the disease
and its cause. Explain why such symptoms are occurring in this patient.
Solution:
The patient is suffering from diabetes insipidus. This disease is caused by the
deficiency of vasopressin, also known as anti diuretic hormone (ADH), or by the
insensitivity of the kidneys to ADH.

Vasopressin acts mainly on the kidneys and stimulates re-absorption of water

and electrolytes by the distal tubules, thereby reducing the loss of water
through urine.

In the absence of ADH, urine is not able to concentrate properly, and excessive
water is lost through the same.
Question 22 ( 3.0 marks)
Explain with the help of a suitable example for each of the following terms: (i)
morphallaxis (ii) epimorphosis and (iii) compensatory regeneration.
Solution:
Out of current syllabus
Question 23 ( 3.0 marks)
Describe the polygonum type of embryo sac. Why it is generally referred to as
monosporic?
Solution:
Out of current syllabus
Question 24 ( 3.0 marks)
What is obsessive-compulsive disorder? How is it different from borderline
personality disorder? What are the two most common obsessions that affect
adolescents?
Solution:
Out of current syllabus
Question 25 ( 3.0 marks)
What is human leukocytes antigen complex? Explain its role in organ
transplantation.
Solution:
Out of current syllabus

Section D

Question 26 ( 5.0 marks)

Why do C4 plants have dimorphic chloroplasts? Explain the different steps
involved in C4photosynthetic carbon cycle in such plants.

OR

Explain the electron transport system. Where does it occur in a mitochondrion

and what is the role of oxygen in it?
Solution:
In C4 plants, the vascular bundle is surrounded by two rings. The inner ring is of
bundle sheath cells that contain chloroplast rich in starch, but lacking grana.
This chloroplast differs from the one present in mesophyll cells that constitute
the outer layer. So, the chloroplast is called dimorphic and the leaf anatomy is
called Kranz anatomy.

The primary function of the Kranz anatomy is to provide a site where carbon
dioxide can be concentrated around RuBisCO, and thereby reduce
photorespiration.

Steps involved in C4 cycle:

• PEP (Phosphoenolpyruvate) present in the mesophyll cells acts as the

primary carbon dioxide acceptor. The enzyme responsible for this
process is PEPcase.
• In the next step, a 4-carbon (C4) compound (either malic acid or
aspartic acid) is formed in the mesophyll cells.
• The 4-carbon compound is transported to the bundle sheath cells.
• In the bundle sheath cells, the C4 acid breaks, and CO2 and a 3-carbon
molecule (C3) are formed.
• The 3-carbon molecule so formed is regenerated back to PEP, while the
CO2 released in the bundle sheath cells reach the Calvin cycle.

C4 cycle is also called Hatch and Slack pathway.

OR

ELECTRON TRANSPORT SYSTEM

After TCA cycle, NADH and FADH are formed. The next step is to release the
energy stored in NADH and FADH, and this is accomplished when they are
oxidised through the ETS (electron transport system).

ETS refers to the metabolic pathway through which electrons pass from one
carrier to another.

Steps involved in ETS:

• Electrons from the NADH produced in the molecular matrix are oxidised
by NADH dehydrogenase (complex 1).
• The electrons are then transferred to ubiquitinol, located in the inner
membrane of mitochondria.
• FADH2 (complex 2) provides reducing equivalents to the ubiquitinol
produced in TCA during the oxidation of succinate.
• Electrons are transferred via cyt bc1 (complex 3) to cyt c, and the
reduced ubiquitinol is oxidised.
• In this way, electrons are transferred from complex 1 to complex 4.
Complex 4 refers to the cyt c oxidase complex containing cytochromes a
and a3 and two copper canters.
• While electrons travel between complex 1 and complex 4, they are
coupled to ATP synthase (complex 5) for the production of ATP from
ADP and Pi .
• Oxidation of one molecule of NADH produces three molecules of ATP.
ETS takes place inside the inner mitochondrial membrane.

ROLE OF OXYGEN

It drives the entire process by removing hydrogen from the system. So, it acts
as the final hydrogen acceptor.
Question 27 ( 5.0 marks)
Explain the events that occur in the human heart during ventricular systole and
ventricular diastole in a cardiac cycle. Name the heart sounds and mention how
they are produced.

OR

What is oxygen−haemoglobin dissociation curve? Describe the role of red blood

cells in the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide by blood.
Solution:
Ventricular systole and diastole are encountered after joint diastole (combined
relaxation of all 4 chambers).

After this, the tricuspid and bicuspid valves open and blood flows from the
pulmonary veins and vena cava into the ventricles, through the atria. The action
potential generated by SAN causes atrial systole (contraction), and thereafter,
ventricular systole and diastole are encountered.

VENTRICULAR SYSTOLE
 • The action potential responsible for atrial systole is carried to the
ventricular side by the AVN and AV bundles, and then it is carried to the
entire ventricular musculature with the help of bundle of His. This
causes the ventricular muscles to contract (ventricular systole).
• Ventricular pressure increases, causing the closure of the bicuspid and
tricuspid valves. As the pressure increases further, the semilunar valves
guarding the aorta and pulmonary artery are forced open.

VENTRICULAR DIASTOLE

• As the aorta and semilunar valves open, blood flows from the ventricles
to the circulatory pathways. This causes the ventricles to relax
(ventricular diastole).
• As ventricular pressure falls, the semilunar valves close, thereby
preventing the backflow of blood into the ventricles.
• After this step, ventricular pressure declines further, the bicuspid and
tricuspid valves open further, blood starts flowing in the ventricles, and
the ventricles and atria relax (joint diastole).

HEART SOUNDS

1. Lub − It is the first heart sound and is associated with the closure of
the bicuspid and tricuspid valves.
2. Dub − It is the second heart sound and is associated with the closure of
the semilunar valves.

OR

Oxygen−haemoglobin dissociation curve is the sigmoid curve obtained when the

percentage saturation of haemoglobin with oxygen is plotted against the partial
pressure of oxygen (pO2).

ROLE OF RBCs IN THE TRANSPORT OF OXYGEN AND CARBON DIOXIDE

• In RBCs, a red-coloured pigment called haemoglobin is present. Oxygen

binds with this haemoglobin in a reversible manner to form
oxyhaemoglobin.
• According to the oxygen dissociation curve, the binding of oxygen to
haemoglobin is related to the partial pressure of oxygen.
• Oxyhaemoglobin is formed in alveoli where the pO2 is high and pCO2 is
 low, and this is how the oxygen is up taken in the lungs.
• In the tissues, the pCO2 is high and pO2 is low. Thus, the
oxyhaemoglobin gets dissociated and oxygen is released into the
tissues.
Question 28 ( 5.0 marks)
Briefly explain the principle, procedure and the role of ELISA.

OR

What is somatic hybridisation? Explain the various steps involved in the process.
Mention any two uses of somatic hybridisation.
Solution:
Out of current syllabus

OR

Protoplasts from two different varieties of plants can be fused, which can be
further grown to produce new plants. Such hybrids are called somatic hybrids,
and the process is called somatic hybridisation.

In this process, the cell wall of a plant cell is digested to isolate the naked
protoplast, which is then fused with the protoplast of another plant, and the
hybrid so obtained is grown to obtain somatic hybrids.

Two uses of somatic hybridisation:

(i) Somatic hybridisation allows the crossing of different species of the same
genera or different genera.

(ii) Somatic hybridisation is commercially used for inducing cytoplasmic male

sterility.