Important Questions

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Biology Important Questions Chapter 11 Biotechnology: Principles and Processes Important Questions and Answers.

PSEB 12th Class Biology Important Questions Chapter 11 Biotechnology: Principles and Processes

Very short answer type questions

Question 1.
Write the two components of the first artificial recombinant DNA molecule constructed by Cohen and Boyer.
Answer:

• Antibiotic resistance gene and
• Plasmid vector of Salmonella typhimurium.

Question 2.
Suggest a technique to a researcher who needs to separate fragments of DNA.
Answer:
Gel Electrophoresis.

Question 3.
Mention the uses of cloning vector in biotechnology.
Answer:
Cloning vectors are used for transferring fragments of foreign DNA into a suitable host. They are also used to select recombinants from non-recombinants.

Question 4.
Why is it not possible for an alien DNA to become part of a chromosome anywhere along its length and replicate normally?
Answer:
Alien DNA must be linked to ori or origin of replication site to start replication.

Question 5.
Why is it essential to have a ‘selectable marker’ in a cloning vector?
Answer:
Selectable markers are essential to identify and eliminate non-transformants, by selectively permitting the growth of the transformant.

Question 6.
Biotechnologists refer to Agrobacterium tumifaciens as a natural genetic engineer of plants. Give reasons to support the statement.
Answer:
This is because A. tumifaciens can transfer genes naturally by delivering a piece of T-DNA to plant cells. It has a tumour inducing plasmid.

Question 7.
Name the host cells in which micro-injection technique is used to introduce an alien DNA.
Answer:
Animal cells.

Question 8.
How does an alien DNA gain entry into a plant cell by ‘biolistics’ method?
Answer:
In biolistics method cells are bombarded with high velocity micro-particles of gold or tungsten coated with DNA.

Question 9.
What is the host called that produces a foreign gene product? What is this product called?
Answer:
The host that produces a foreign gene product is called competent host. The product is called recombinant protein.

Question 10.
Give any two microbes that are useful in biotechnology. [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
E. coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Question 11.
What is EcoRI? How does EcoRI differ from an exonuclease?
Answer:
EcoRI is restriction endonuclease enzyme. Exonuclease removes nucleotides from the ends of DNA while EcoRI makes cut at specific position within the DNA.

Question 12.
What is the significance of adding proteases at the time of isolation of genetic material (DNA)? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
Role of proteases is to degrade the proteins present inside a cell (from which DNA is being isolated). If the proteins are not removed from DNA preparation then they could interfere with any downstream treatment of DNA.

Question 13.
While doing a PCR, ‘denaturation’ step is missed. What will be its effect on the process? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
If denaturation of double-stranded DNA does not take place, then primers will not be able to anneal to the template, no extension will take place, hence no amplification will occur.

Question 14.
What would happen when you grow a recombinant in a bioreactor but forget to add antibiotic to the medium in which the recombinant is growing? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
In the absence of antibiotic, there will be no pressure on recombinants to retain the plasmid (containing the gene of your interest). Since, maintaining a high copy number of plasmids is a metabolic burden to the microbial cells, it will thus tend to lose the plasmid.

Short answer type questions

Question 1.
What is meant by gene cloning? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
Gene cloning refers to a process in which a gene of interest is ligated to a vector. The recombinant DNA thus produced is introduced in a host cell by transformation. Each cell gets one DNA molecule and when the transformed cell grows to a bacterial colony, each cell in the colony has a copy of the gene.

Question 2.
List the key tools used in recombinant DNA technology.
Answer:
The key tools used in recombinant DNA technology are as follows:

• Restriction enzymes
• Polymerase enzyme
• Ligase enzyme ‘
• Vectors
• Host organism/cell.

Question 3.
(a) What are “molecular scissors”? Give one example.
(b) Explain their role in recombinant DNA technology.
Or Why are molecular scissors so called? Write their use in biotechnology.
Answer:
(a) The restriction endonucleases are called molecular scissors, as they cut the DNA segments at particular locations, e.g., EcoRI. They are so called because they cut DNA at specific points.

(b) The restriction enzymes cut the DNA strands a little away from the centre of the palindromic sites, but between the same two bases on the opposite strands. This leaves single stranded portions with overhanging stretches called sticky ends on each strand as they form hydrogen bonds with their complementary cut counterparts. This stickiness at the ends facilitates the action of the enzyme DNA ligase.

Question 4.
Name the natural source of agarose. Mention one role of agarose in biotechnology.
Answer:
The natural source of agarose is sea weed. Agarose is a natural polymer. It is used to develop the matrix for gel electrophoresis. It helps in the separation of DNA fragments based on their size.

Question 5.
For producing a recombinant protein (for therapeutic purpose) in large scale, which vector would you choose – a low copy number or high-copy number? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
High-copy number, because higher the copy number of vector plasmid, higher the copy number of gene and consequently, protein coded by the gene is produced in high amount.

Question 6.
What modification is done in the Ti plasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens to convert it into a cloning vector? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
T-DNA is the only essential part required to make Ti plasmid a cloning vector. The plasmid is disarmed by deleting the tumour inducing genes in the plasmid so that it becomes an effective cloning vector and remove it harmful effect.

Question 7.
Describe the role of CaCl₂ in preparation of competent cells.
[NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
CaCl₂ is known to increase the efficiency of DNA uptake to produce transformed bacterial cells. The divalent Ca⁺² ions create transient pores in the bacterial cell wall, by which the entry of foreign DNA is facilitated into the bacterial cells.

Question 8.
(a) Why must a cell be made ‘competent’ in biotechnology experiments? How does calcium ion help in doing so?
(b) State the role of ‘biolistic gun’ in biotechnology experiments?
Answer:
(a) A recombinant DNA transfer into the host cell, needs that the recipient cell must be made competent in order to receive and absorb the DNA, present in the surrounding. The calcium ions in the medium increase the efficiency with which DNA enters the bacterium through the pores in the cell wall.

(b) Biolistic or Gene Gun : It is a vectorless method in which DNA is directly introduced in the nucleus of plant cell. Plant cells are bombarded with high velocity micro particles of gold or tungsten coated with DNA.

Long answer type questions

Question 1.
(a) Name the selectable markers in the cloning vector pBR322? Mention the role they play. ‘
(b) Why is the coding sequence of an enzyme β-galactosidase a preferred selectable marker in comparison to the ones nam£d above?
Answer:
(a) In pBR322, amp^R and Tet^R, the two antibiotic resistant genes act as selectable markers. If an alien DNA ligates at the Bam HI site of tetracycline resistant gene in the vector pBR322, the recombinant loses the tetracycline resistance. Non-recombinant will grow on both the media containing tetracycline/ampicillin whereas recombinant will grow on ampicillin medium but not on medium containing tetracycline. In this case, one antibiotic resistance gene helps in selecting the transformants and the other antibiotic gene gets inactivated due to insertion of alien DNA.

Thus, selectable markers (amp^R) help in indentifying and eliminating non-transformants and help in selecting those host cells which contain the recombinant vector i.e., transformants.

(b) The selection of recombinant by the inactivation of one of the antibiotic resistance gene is a cumbersome, complicated, time consuming technique involving plating both the recombinant and non-recombinant on the ampicillin medium and then on tetracycline containing medium. In insertional inactivation, the DNA inserted in the coding sequence of an enzyme p-galactosidase results in inactivation of the enzyme and the bacterial colony, with insert shows no colouration while those without inserted plasmid, form blue colour colonies. This is a simple, less cumbersome technique.

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Biology Important Questions Chapter 10 Microbes in Human Welfare Important Questions and Answers.

PSEB 12th Class Biology Important Questions Chapter 10 Microbes in Human Welfare

Very short answer type questions

Question 1.
Give an example of a rod-shaped virus,
Answer:
Tobacco mosaic virus.

Question 2.
Which one of the following is the baker’s yeast used in fermentation?
Saccharum barberi, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Sonalika.
Answer:
Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Question 3.
Why is distillation required for producing certain alcoholic drinks? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
Distillation increases the alcohol content in alcoholic drinks.

Question 4.
What would have happened if antibiotics were not discovered? s [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
If antibiotics were not discovered, bacterial and fungal diseases would , not have been controllable.

Question 5.
Give the scientific name of the source organism from which the first antibiotic was produced.
Answer:
Penicillium notatum.

Question 6.
Write the scientific name of the microbe used for fermenting
malted cereals and fruit juices.
Answer:
Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Question 7.
Name a microbe used for statin production. How do statins lower blood cholesterol level? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
Monascus purpureus is used for statin production. Statins lower blood cholesterol level by competitively inhibiting the enzyme responsible for . synthesis of cholesterol.

Question 8.
Name the group of organisms and the substrate they act on to produce biogas.
Answer:
Name of the group of organisms – Methanogens.
Substrate – Cellulosic material/cow dung/agriculture waste.

Question 9.
Name any genetically modified crop. [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
Bt. cotton.

Question 10.
What are Nucleopolyhedroviruses being used for nowadays? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
Nucleopolyhedroviruses are used for the biological control of insect pests.

Question 11.
Which of the following is a free-living bacteria that can fix nitrogen in the soil?
Answer:
Spirulina, Azospirillum, Sonalika Ans. Azospirillum.

Question 12.
Mention the role of cyanobacteria as a biofertiliser.
Answer:
It is a biological organism that fixes atmospheric nitrogen.

Short answer type questions

Question 1.
Name the source of streptokinase. How does this bioactive molecule function in our body?
Answer:
Source: Streptococcus.
Streptokinase is a clot buster, i.e., it removes clot from the blood vessels of patients who had a heart attack.

Question 2.
Why are some molecules called bioactive molecules? Give two examples of such molecules.
Answer:
This is because microbes like bacteria or fungi are used in their production, e.g.,
Citric acid – Acetic acid
Butyric acid – Lactic acid
Ethanol – Lipases
Streptokinase – Cyclosporin A (Any two)

Question 3.
Given below is a list of six microorganisms. State their usefulness to humans.
(a) Nucleopolyhedrovirus
(b) Saccharomyces eerevisiae
(c) Monascus purpureus
(d) Trichoderma polysporum
(e) Penicillium notatum
(f) Propionibacterium sharmanii
Answer:
(a) Nucleopolyhedrovirus: Biocontrol agents for pest.
(b) Saccharomyces eerevisiae: Bread making and alcohol/wine production.
(c) Monascus purpureus: Statins-blood cholesterol lowering agents.
(d) Trichoderma polysporum: Cyclosporin-A, immune suppressing medicine in organ transplant patients.
(e) Penicillium notation: Penicillin, a anti-bacterial antibiotic.
(f) Propionibacterium sharmanii: Preparation of Swiss cheese with large holes.

Question 4.
What are methanogens? How do they help to generate biogas?
Or What are methanogens? Nameanimals they are present in and the role they play there?
Answer:
Methanogens are the bacteria which are grown anaerobically on cellulose material and produce large amount of methane along with CO₂ and H₂S.

Methanobacterium is the common methanogen found in the anaerobic sludge during sewage treatment. These bacteria are also present in the rumen (a part of the stomach) of cattle. In rumen, these bacteria help in the breakdown of cellulose present in the food of cattle. Hence, they play an important role in the nutrition of cattle.

The excreta (dung) of cattle commonly called gobar is rich in cellulosic material and these bacteria. Dung can be used for generation of biogas commonly called Gobar gas.
Note: Human beings are unable to digest cellulose in the vegetable food because the enzyme cellulose is not secreted. Cellulose forms the roughage in the body.

Question 5.
(a) How do organic fanners control pests? Give two examples, (b) State the difference in their approach from that of conventional pest control methods.
Answer:
(a) Organic farmers control pests by use of biological methods (biocontrol). They use natural enemy of the pest such as predator or parasite, by introducing these biocontrol agents in the field.
Example:
(i) Ladybird – a beetle and dragonflies are used to get rid of aphids and mosquitoes.
(ii) Bacillus thuringiensis, a bacterium is introduced into crop plants to control butterflies and caterpillars.

(b) In conventional pest control, toxic chemical pesticides are used which are expensive, persist, pollute the environment and kill both the target and non-target pests (beneficiary and parasitic insects which depend upon pests).

Long answer type questions

Question 1.
Explain the process of sewage water treatment before it can be discharged into natural water bodies. Why is this treatment essential?
Or Explain the different steps involved in sewage treatment before it can be released into natural water bodies.
Or Secondary treatment of the sewage can also called biological treatment. Justify this statement and explain the process.
Or Explain the different steps involved during primary treatment phase of sewage.
Or Explain the process of secondary treatment given to the primary effluent up to the point it shows significant change in the level of biological oxygen demand (BOD) in it.
Answer:
Sewage water treatment involves two steps:
(i) Primary treatment and
(ii) Secondary treatment.

(i) Primary Treatment: It is a physical process of removing small and large particles through filtration and sedimentation. Firstly, the sewage is passed through the wire mesh of screens of sequentially smaller pore sizes to remove floating objects (like polythene bags etc). Then the grit is sedimented by passing the sewage into a grit chamber. The sewage is then kept in settling tanks, where the suspended materials settle down to form the primary sludge. The effluent is then taken for secondary treatment.

(ii) Secondary Treatment: It is a biological process by the heterotrophic bacteria naturally present in the sewage. The primary effluent is passed into large aeration tanks where it is constantly agitated and air is pumped out. This causes the rapid growth of aerobic microbes into ‘floes’ which consume the organic matter of sewage leading to the reduction in biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). After the significant reduction in BOD of sewage, the effluent is passed into settling tanks where floes are sedimented leading to the formation of activated sludge. A part of this activated sludge is used as inoculum which is pumped back into the aeration tanks. The major part of this sludge is pumped into anaerobic sludge digesters, where its digestion occurs by the anaerobic bacteria producing methane, hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide. These gases form biogas. After secondary treatment the effluent is released into natural water bodies like streams and rivers.

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Biology Important Questions Chapter 9 Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production Important Questions and Answers.

PSEB 12th Class Biology Important Questions Chapter 9 Strategies for Enhancement in Food Production

Very short answer type questions

Question 1.
Suggest the breeding method most suitable for animals1 that are below average in milk productivity.
Answer:
Outcrossing.

Question 2.
How is a mule produced?
Answer:
The mule is produced by breeding between male donkey and female horse (mare).

Question 3.
Write the name of the following:
(a) The most common species of bees suitable for apiculture.
(b) An improved breed of chicken.
Answer:
(a) Apis indica/Apis mellifera/Apis dorsata
(b) Leghorn/Rhode island red/Minorcha.

Question 4.
List any two economically important products for humans obtained from Apis indica.
Answer:
Honey and beeswax.

Question 5.
Which of the following is the semi-dwarf wheat that is high yielding and disease resistant?
Pusa Shubhra, Kalyan Sona, Ratna
Answer:
Kalyan Sona.

Question 6.
Write the names of two semi-dwarf and high yielding rice varieties developed in India after 1966.
Answer:
Jaya, Ratna.

Question 7.
Why is the South Indian sugarcane preferred by agriculturalists?
Answer:
South Indian sugarcane has thicker stem and higher sugar content.

Question 8.
Name any two diseases the ‘Himgiri’ variety of wheat is resistant to.
Answer:
Leaf and stripe rust; Hill bunt.

Question 9.
What is meant by ‘hidden hunger’? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
Consumption of food deficient in nutrients particularly, micronutrients, proteins and vitamins is called hidden hunger.

Question 10.
What is protoplast fusion? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
The merging of protoplasts obtained from two different cells to form a hybrid protoplast is called protoplast fusion.

Question 11.
What is the economic value of Spirulina?
Answer:
Spirulina can .serve as food rich in proteins, minerals, vitamins, fats and’ carbohydrates.

Question 12.
Identify two correct statements from the following:
(i) Apiculture means apical meristem culture.
(ii) Spinach is iron-enriched.
(iii) Green revolution has resulted in improved pulse-yield.
(iv) Aphids cannot infect rapeseed mustard.
Answer:
(ii) and
(iv) are correct.

Short answer type questions

Question 1.
(a) Name any two fowls other than chicken reared in a poultry farm.
(b) Enlist four important components of poultry farm management.
Answer:
(a) Pigeon, Turkey, Duck, Geese (any two)
(b) Poultry farm management includes :

• Proper feed and water
• Hygiene and health care of birds
• Proper and safe farm conditions
• Selection of disease free and suitable breeds.

Question 2.
In animal husbandry, if two closely related animals are mated for a few generations, it results in loss of fertility and vigour. Why is this so? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
The phenomenon being referred to is called ‘inbreeding depression’ and results in loss of fertility and vigour. This happens because the recessive alleles tend to get together and express harmful effects in the progeny.

Question 3.
Give the scientific name of the most common species of honey bee reared in India. Why is it advantageous to keep beehives in crop-fields during flowering periods?
Or Honey collection improves when beehives are kept in crop- fields during the flowering season. Explain.
Answer:
The most common species of honey bee reared in India is Apis indica. Honeybees are good pollinators of almost all the plants. The flowers in turn offer floral rewards like nectar and pollen grains. So, when beehives are kept in crop-fields during the flowering season, honey collection increases and in turn the yield also increases.

Question 4.
How has mutation breeding helped in improving the production of mung bean crop?
Answer:
Mutation breeding produced disease resistant varieties against yellow mosaic virus and powdery mildew.
(a) Write the desirable characters a farmer looks for in his sugarcane crop.
How did plant breeding techniques help north Indian farmers to develop cane with desired characters?
(a) The desirable characters that should be present in sugarcane crop are as follows :

• High yield
• Thick stem
• High sugar content
• Ability to grow in North India.

(b) With the help of plant breeding, the two varieties of sugarcane t.e. Saccharum barberi [sugarcane of North India] and Saccharum officinarum [sugarcane of South India] were crossed to obtain sugarcane varieties having desirable, qualities. So that a good quality sugarcane variety could be grown in North India.

Question 6.
Differentiate between somaclones and somatic hybrids. Give one example of each.
Answer:
Somaclones are the genetically similar plants, similar to the original parent plant from which explant was taken, to start the tissue culture. Somatic hybrids are the structures produced by the process of fusing protoplasts of somatic cells derived from two different varieties/species of plants on suitable culture/nutrients medium under aseptic conditions.

Question 7.
Why is it necessary to emasculate a bisexual flower in a plant breeding programme? Mention the condition under which emasculation is not necessary.
Answer:
Emasculation is necessary to ensure that only the desired pollen grains are used for pollination and the stigma is protected from contamination (from unwanted self pollen). The anthers are removed followed by bagging so the plant now behaves as a female plant. The pollen grains from the anthers of the desired male plant can be dusted on the stigma of flower of the female plant to obtain desired results.
Emasculation is not required if the plant produces unisexual flowers.

Question 8.
How does culturing Spirulina solve the food problems of the growing human population?
Or Large scale cultivation of spirullina is highly advantageous for human population. Explain giving two reasons.
Answer:
Spirulina can be grown easily on materials like waste water from potato processing plants, straw, molasses, animal manure and even sewage, to produce large quantities of biomass. It serves as a food rich in protein, minerals, fats, carbohydrate and vitamins, being environment friendly.

Long answer type questions

Question 1.
Enlist the steps involved in inbreeding of cattle. Suggest two disadvantages of this practice.
Answer:
Inbreeding: involves the mating between closely related animals of same breed for 4-6 generations.
The breeding strategy in inbreeding includes following steps:

• Identification of the superior males and superior females of the same breed followed by mating.
• Progeny obtained is evaluated and superior males and females among them are identified for further mating, e.g., in case of cattle, a superior female is a cow or buffalo that produces more milk per lactation and the superior male is the bull which gives rise to superior progeny as compared to other males.
• Inbreeding increases homozygosity, which is necessary to evolve a pure line in any animal.
• Inbreeding exposes harmful recessive genes that are eliminated by selection.
• It helps in accumulation of superior genes and elimination of less desirable genes.

Disadvantages: Continued inbreeding causes inbreeding depression, reduced fertility and low productivity.

Question 2.
A sugarcane has been affected by virus. How can a virus-free cane be developed from it? Explain the procedure.
Answer:
Tissue culture method has application in production of healthy plants from the virus infected sugarcane plants by using meristems (apical and axillary buds) as explants which are free from virus.

Meristem Culture: It is in vitro culture of meristem containing regions being present over the shoot apex and very young buds over the nodes. With the help of fine scalpel shoot tip of 0.1-1.0 mm length is removed. Alternatively, sections of 3rd and 4th nodes from stem apex are removed. They are 1-2 cm long. Their leaves are detached from the tips of petioles. The sections are surface sterilised in 0.5% sodium hypochlorite for ten minutes, rinsed in sterile distilled water and thinly paired to develop fresh surface. They are placed over solid culture medium having cytokinin (generally BAP). Cytokinin is known to overcome apical dominance and induce growth of axillary buds.

Each explant will develop either a number of shoots or a single shoot. It is known as multiple shoot or single shoot cultures respectively. The single shoot is again cut into nodal segments for further culturing. Ultimately shoots of 2-3 cm are exercised and transferred to medium promoting root formation (with extra auxin). The plantlets are then hardened and transferred to field.

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Biology Important Questions Chapter 8 Human Health and Disease Important Questions and Answers.

PSEB 12th Class Biology Important Questions Chapter 8 Human Health and Disease

Very short answer type questions

Question 1.
Malaria, typhoid, pneumonia and amoebiasis are some of the human infectious diseases. Which ones of these are transmitted through mechanical carriers?
Answer:
Malaria and amoebiasis are transmitted through mechanical carriers.

Question 2.
How does haemozoin affect the human body when released in blood during malarial infection?
Answer:
Haemozoin is responsible for the chill and high fever recurring every three to four days during malarial infection.

Question 3.
What causes swelling of the lower limbs in patients suffering from filariasis?
Answer:
Wuchereria (W. bancrofti and W. malayi).

Question 4.
Why is Gambusia introduced into drains and ponds?
Answer:
To feed on mosquito larvae so as to eliminate the vectors responsible for causing malaria.

Question 5.
Recently chikungunya cases were reported from various parts of the country. Name the vector responsible.
Answer:
Aedes mosquito is responsible for chikungunya cases.

Question 6.
What role do macrophages play in providing immunity to humans?
Answer:
Macrophages destroy the microbes (by phagocytosis) and provide protection against diseases.

Question 7.
In what way are monocytes a cellular barrier in immunity?
Answer:
Monocytes can phagocytose (by the process called phagocytosis) and thereby destroy the pathogens.

Question 8.
How does colostrum provides initial protection against diseases to new bom infants? Give one reason.
Answer:
Colostrum contains several antibodies which are absolutely essential for developing resistance in the new-born babies.

Question 9.
State the functions of mast cells in allergy response.
Answer:
Mast cells release chemicals like histamine and serotonin in allergic response.

Question 10.
What is an autoimmune disease? Give an example.
Answer:
It is an abnormal immune response in which the immune system of the body starts rejecting its own body cells or ‘self cells and molecules. For example, rheumatoid arthritis.

Question 11.
State two different roles of spleen in the human body.
Answer:
Spleen is the secondary lymphoid organ that stores lymphocytes, it filters microbes and acts as a reservoir to store erythrocytes.

Question 12.
Why sharing of injection needles between two individuals is not recommended?
Answer:
Sharing of needles can transmit diseases like HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis B or C from infected to non-infected individuals.

Question 13.
Retroviruses have no DNA. However, the DNA of the infected host cell does possess viral DNA. How is it possible?
Answer:
On infecting the host cell, the viral RNA transforms into viral DNA by reverse transcription. This viral DNA then incorporates into the host DNA.

Question 14.
Suggest any two techniques which can help in early detection of bacterial and viral infections much before the symptoms appear in the body.
Answer:
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).

Question 15.
Mention the useful as well as the harmful drug obtained from the latex of Poppy plant.
Answer:
Useful drug – morphine.
Harmful drug – heroin.

Short answer type questions

Question 1.
Define the term health. Mention any two ways of maintaining it.
Answer:
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. Good health can be maintained through balanced diet and regular exercise.

Question 2.
List the specific symptoms of typhoid. Name its causative agent.
Answer:
Specific symptoms of typhoid are as follows:

• Constant high fever (39° to 40°C)
• Weakness
• Stomach pain
• Loss of appetite

Its causative agent is Salmonella typhi.

Question 3.
Identify a, b, c and d in the following table:

Name of the human disease	Name of the causal bacteria/virus	Specific organ or its part affected
(i) Typhoid	Salmonella typhi	a
(ii) Common cold	b	c
(iii) Pneumonia	Streptococcus pneumoniae	d

Answer:
(a) Small intestine
(b) Rhino virus
(c) Nose and respiratoiy passage
(d) Alveoli of lungs

Question 4.
At what stage does Plasmodium gain entry into the human body? Write the different stages of its life-cycle in the human body.
Or Trace the life-cycle of malarial parasite in the human body when bitten by an infected female Anopheles.
Answer:
Plasmodium falciparum is the malarial parasite.
Plasmodium life-cycle:
The gametocyte develops in the red blood cells of human.

Question 5.
Explain the role of the following in providing defence against infection in human body :
(i) Histamines
(ii) Interferons
(iii) B-cells
Answer:
(i) Histamines: These are chemicals which cause inflammatory responses.
(ii) Interferons: These are glycoproteins which protect non-infected cells from further viral infection.
(iii) B-cells: These produce proteins called antibodies in response to pathogens into the blood to fight with them.

Question 6.
(a) What is the functional difference between B cells and T cells?
(b) Name the source used to produce hepatitis-B vaccine using rDNA technology.
Answer:

(a)

B-Lymphocytes	T-Lymphocytes
(i) They arise from bone marrow.	They arise from bone marrow and thymus.
(ii) B-cells form humoral or antibody-mediated immune system (AMIS).	T-cells form cell-mediated immune system (CMIS).
(iii) They defend against viruses and bacteria that enter the blood and lymph.	They defend against pathogens including protists and fungi that enter the cells.
(iv) They form plasma cells and memory cells by the division.	They form killer, helper and suppressor cells by the division of lymphoblasts.

(b) Hepatitis-B vaccine is produced from surface antigens of transgenic yeast by r-DNA technology. The antigens represent whole protein vaccine.

Question 7.
In the metropolitan cities of India, many children are suffering from allergy/asthma. What are the main causes of this problem. Give some symptoms of allergic reactions. [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
Allergy is the exaggerated response of the immune system to certain antigens present in the environment. In metropolitan cities life style is responsible in lowering of immunity and sensitivity to allergens. More polluted environment increases the chances of allergy in children. Some symptoms of allergic reactions are sneezing, watery eyes, running nose and difficulty in breathing.

Question 8.
Differentiate between benign and malignant tumours.
Answer:

Benign tumour	Malignant tumour
(i) It is a non-cancerous tumour.	It is a cancerous tumour.
(ii) Benign tumour does not show metastasis and is non-invasive.	It shows metastasis and thus invades other body parts.
(iii) It stops growth after reaching a certain size.	Malignant tumour shows indefinite growth.
(iv)Limited	There is no adherence amongst cells. They tend to slip past one another.
(v) It is less fatal to the body.	It is more fatal to the body.

Question 9.
Write the source and the effect on the human body of the following drugs:
(i) Morphine
(ii) Cocaine
(iii) Marijuana
Answer:
(i) Morphine: It is obtained from poppy plant Papaver somniferum. It binds to specific opioid receptors present in central nervous system and ‘ gastrointestinal tract.
(ii) Cocaine: It is obtained from coca plant Erythroxylum coca. It interferes with the transport of the neurotransmitter dopamine.
(iii)Marijuana : It is obtained from Cannabis sativa. It affects the cardiovascular system of the body.

Question 10.
(a) Why is there a fear amongst the guardians that their adolescent wards may get trapped in drug/alcohol abuse?
(b) Explain ‘addiction’ and dependence’ in respect of drug/alcohol abuse in youth.
Answer:
(a) Reasons for alcohol abuse in adolescents:

• Social pressure
• Curiosity and need for adventure, excitement and experiment.
• To escape from stress, depression and frustration.
• To overcome hardships of life.
• Unstable or unsupportive family structure

(b) Addiction: The psychological attachment to certain effects such as euphoria and a temporary feeling of well-being, associated with drugs and alcohol is called addiction.
Dependence: The tendency of the body to manifest a characteristic and unpleasant withdrawal syndrome on abrupt discontinuation of regular dose of drug/alcohol is called dependence.

Long answer type questions

Question 1.
(a) Cancer is one of the most dreaded diseases of humans. Explain ‘Contact inhibition’ and ‘Metastasis’ with respect to the disease.
(b) Name the group of genes which have been identified in normal cells that could lead to cancer and how they do so?
(c) Name any two techniques which are useful to detect cancers of internal organs.
(d) Why are cancer patients often given a-interferon as part of the treatment?
Answer:
(a) Contact inhibition is the property of normal cells in which contact with other cells inhibits their uncontrolled growth.
Metastasis is the property in which tumour cells reach distant sites in the body, through blood.
(b) Proto oncogenes or Cellular oncogenes.
These genes when activated under certain condition could lead to oncogenic transformation of the cells.
(c) Biopsy/radiography/CT/MRI
(d) a-interferon activates immune system and destroys the tumour.

Question 2.
Why do some adolescents start taking drugs? How can the situation be avoided? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
Many factors are responsible for motivating youngsters towards alcohol or drugs. Curiosity, need for adventure and excitement, experimentation are the initial causes of motivation. Some youngsters start consuming drugs and alcohol in order to overcome negative emotions (such as stress, pressure, depression, frustration) and to excel in various fields. Several mediums like television, internet, newspaper, movies etc. are also responsible for promoting the idea of alcohol to the younger generation. Amongst these factors, reasons such as unstable and unsupportive family structures and peer pressure can also lead an individual to be dependant on drugs and alcohol.

Preventive measures against addiction of alcohol and drugs are as follows:
(a) Parents should motivate and try to increase the willpower of their child.
(b) Parents should educate their children about the ill-effects of alcohol. They should provide them with proper knowledge and counselling regarding the consequences of addiction to alcohol.
(c) It is the responsibility of the parent to discourage a child from experimenting with alcohol. Youngsters should be kept away from the company of friends who consume drugs.
(d) Children should be encouraged to devote their energy in other extra¬curricular and recreational activities.
(e) Proper professional and medical help should be provided to a child if sudden symptoms of depression and frustration are observed.

Question 3.
A person shows strong unusual hypersensitive reactions when exposed to certain substances present in the air, identify the condition. Name the cells responsible for such reactions. What precaution should be taken to avoid such reactions? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
The condition is called allergy. Mast cells are responsible for such reactions.
To avoid such reactions following precautions must be taken:

1. Use of drugs like antihistamine, adrenalin and steroids quickly reduces the symptoms.
2. Avoid contact with substances to which a person is hypersensitive.

Question 4.
What would happen to immune system, if thymus gland is removed from the body of a person? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
Thymus is the primary lymphoid organ. In thymus gland, immature lymphocytes differentiate into antigen-sensitive lymphocytes. If thymus gland is removed from the body of a person, his immune system becomes weak. As a result the person’s body becomes prone to infectious diseases.

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Biology Important Questions Chapter 7 Evolution Important Questions and Answers.

PSEB 12th Class Biology Important Questions Chapter 7 Evolution

Very short answer type questions

Question 1.
Name the scientist who disproved spontaneous generation theory.
Answer:
Louis Pasteur disproved the theory of spontaneous generation.

Question 2.
What did Louis Pasteur’s experiment on ‘killed yeast’ demonstrate? Name the theory that got disproved on the basis of his experiment.
Answer:
Louis Pasteur demonstrated that life comes only from pre-existing life. The theory of spontaneous generation was disproved on the basis of his experiment.

Question 3.
Write the hypothetical proposals put forth by Oparin and Haldane.
Or List two main propositions of Oparin and Haldane.
Or State two postulates of Oparin and Haldane with reference to origin of life.
Answer:
Oparin and Haldane proposed that life originated from pre-existing non-organic molecules and the diverse organic molecules were formed from these inorganic constituents by chemical evolution.

Question 4.
When we say “survival of the fittest”, does it mean that
(a) those which are fit only survive, or
(b) those that survive are called fit. Comment. [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
Those individuals which survive and reproduce in their respective environment are called fit.

Question 5.
Why are analogous structures a result of convergent evolution?
Answer:
They are not anatomically similar structures though they perform similar functions.

Question 6.
Identify the examples of convergent evolution from the following:
(i) Flippers of penguins and dolphins
(ii) Eyes of octopus and mammals
(iii) Vertebrate brains
Answer:
(i) Flippers of penguins and dolphins
(ii) Eyes of octopus and mammals

Question 7.
What does Hardy-Weinberg equation p² + 2pq + q² = 1 convey?
Answer:
Hardy-Weinberg equation convey genetic equilibrium, i.e., sum total of all allelic frequencies is 1.

Question 8.
What is founder effect? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
Sometimes the change in allele frequency is so different in the new sample of population that they become a different species. The original drifted population becomes founder and the effect is called founder effect.

Question 9.
State the significance of Coelacanth in evolution.
Answer:
It is an ancestor of amphibians.

Question 10.
Name the first human like hominid. Mention his food habit and brain capacity.
Answer:
Homo habilis was the first human-like hominid. Homo (man) habili (skilful) was carnivorous and hunted large animals. He had a brain capacity of 650-800 cc.

Question 11.
Name the common ancestor of the great apes and man.
Answer:
Dryopithecus/Ramapithecus.

Question 12.
By what Latin name the first hominid was known?
[NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
Homo habilis.

Short answer type questions

Question 1.
Describe the experiment that helped Louis Pasteur to dismiss the theory of spontaneous generation of life.
Answer:

Louis Pasteur (1864) boiled broth in flasks having bent swan or S-shaped necks. No microorganisms were observed in broth after keeping for several days though broth was connected to air through the bent neck. It is because the dirt carrying microorganisms got settled in the bent part of neck. When the neck was broken, colonies of microorganisms soon developed over the broth showing the microorganisms have come from air.

Question 2.
Mention the contribution of S.L. Miller’s experiments on Origin of Life.
Answer:
S.L. Miller created an environment in laboratory similar to the one that existed before life originated. In a closed flask containing CH₄, H₂, NH₃ and water vapour at 800°C, electric discharge was created. The conditions were similar to those in primitive atmosphere. After a week, they observed presence of amino acids and complex molecules like sugars, nitrogen bases, pigments and fats in the flask. This provided experimental evidence for the theory of chemical origin.

Question 3.
How does the study of fossils support evolution? Explain.
Answer:
Different aged rock sediments contain fossil of different types. Early rocks contain fossils of simple organisms while recent rocks contain fossils of complex organisms, e.g., dinosaur.

By studying fossils occurring in different strata of rocks, geologists are able to reconstruct the geological period in which they existed and the cause of evolutionary change. Hence, new forms of life originated at different times in the history’ of earth.

Question 4.
Explain “fitness of a species” as mentioned by Darwin.
Answer:
“Fitness of a species” according to Darwin means reproductive fitness. All organisms after reaching reproductive age have varying degree of reproductive potential. Some organisms produce more offspring and some organism produce only few offspring. This phenomenon is also called as differential reproduction.
Hence the species which produces more offsprings are selected by nature.

Question 5.
While creation and presence of variation is directionless, natural selection is directional as it is in the context of adaptation. Comment. [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
Creation and variation occur in a sexually reproducing population as a result of crossing-over during meiosis and random fusion of gametes. It is however the organisms that are selected over a period of time which are determined by the environmental conditions. In other words, the environment provides the direction with respect to adaptations so that the organisms are more and more fit in terms of survival.

Question 6.
Branching descent and natural selection are the two key concepts of Darwinian theory of evolution. Explain each concept with the help of a suitable example.
Answer:
Branching Descent : Different species descending from the common ancestor get adapted in different habitats, e.g., Darwin’s finches-varieties of finches arose from grain eaters; Australian marsupials evolved from common marsupial.

Natural Selection: It is a process in which heritable variations enable better survival of the species to reproduce in large number, e.g., white moth surviving before the industrial revolution and black moth surviving after industrial revolution; long-necked giraffe survived the evolution process; DDT-resistant mosquitoes survive.

Question 7.
Explain the salient features of Hugo de Vries theory of mutation.
Answer:
Salient features of Hugo de Vries theory of mutation are as follows:

• Mutations cause evolution.
• New species originate due to large mutations.
• Evolution is a discontinuous process and not gradual.
• Mutations are directionless.
• Mutations appear suddenly.
• Mutations exhibit their effect immediately.

Question 8.
What does Hardy-Weinberg Principle of equilibrium indicate? List any two factors that could alter the equilibrium. What would such an alteration lead to?
Answer:
Hardy-Weinberg principle states that in a given population, the frequency of occurrence of alleles of a gene is supposed to remain fixed and even remains same through generations. This is also called genetic equilibrium. Sum total of all the alleles is 1. Hence, p2 + 2pq + q2 = 1 (p, q represent the frequency of gene A and allele a).
Factors affecting Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium are gene migration or gene flow, genetic drift, mutation, genetic recombination and natural selections.

(i) Gene Flow/Migration: The movement of a section of population from one place to another, results in the addition of new alleles to the local gene pool of the host population. This is called gene migration. Migration causes variations at the genetic level.

(ii) Genetic Drift: The random changes in gene frequency in a population occurring by chance alone rather than by natural selection is called genetic drift. The effects of genetic drift are more prominent in small populations.

Long answer type questions

Question 1.
(a) Differentiate between analogy and homology giving one example each of plant and animal respectively.
(b) How are they considered as an evidence in support of evolution?
Or
Differentiate between homology and analogy. Give one example of each.
Answer:
(a) Analogy is the phenomenon where different structures evolving for the same function and hence having similarity are the result of convergent evolution. These structures are called analogical structures. Example are
(i) Tendril of pea (leaf-let modified) and grapevine/ cucurbita (stem modified),
(ii) Flippers of penguins (wing modified) and dolphin (fore arm modified) both help in swimming.

Homology is the phenomenon where same structure developed along different lines due to adaptation to different needs/habitats as a result of divergent needs/habitats are a result of divergent evolution. These structures are called homologous structure.

Examples: (i) Thorns of Bougainvillea and tendrils of cucurbita represent homology as both are modified stems, (ii) Forelimbs of man, cheetah, whale and bat.

(b) Analogy and homology of the structures represent anatomical and morphological evidence of evolution. Analogy shows that similar habitat result in the selection of similar adaptive features in different groups of organisms but toward same function. This is a result of convergent evolution.

Homology include the same structures developed to have different forms to perform different functions in different animals. It is a result of divergent evolution. It indicate towards common ancestory. The comparative anatomy of forelimbs in all the mammals show similarities in the pattern of bones and pentadactyl organisation.

Question 2.
The evolutionary story of moths in England during industrialisation reveals, that ‘evolution is apparently reversible’. Clarify this statement. [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
The peppered moth occurs in two forms, i.e., light coloured (Biston betularia typoica) and dark coloured (Biston betrularia carbonaria). Before Industrial Revolution : Only light coloured moths were prevalent. Light coloured moths camouflaged well with the lichens that covers tree trunks, on the contrary dark moths were easy prey on the tree trunks and were very rare.

During the Industrial Revolution: The population of dark coloured moth increased. While, that of light coloured moth decreased. This change was due to the burning of coal in factories.
The smoke from the factories killed the lichens and the tree trunks turned black due to the deposition of soot. The black moths had an advantage against soot, therefore, escaped predation of birds while on the other hand, white moths were identified in sharp contrast and become easy prey.

With the Progression of Industrial Revolution: The coal was replaced by oil and electricity.
This resulted in reduction of soot deposits on the tree trunk. Gradually, the population of black moth decreased and that of light moth began to increase.

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Biology Important Questions Chapter 6 Molecular Basis of Inheritance Important Questions and Answers.

PSEB 12th Class Biology Important Questions Chapter 6 Molecular Basis of Inheritance

Question 1.
Name the specific components and the linkage between them that form deoxyadenosine.
Answer:
Nitrogenous base (Adenine) and pentose sugar and N-glycosidic linkage.

Question 2.
Why is RNA more reactive in comparison to DNA?
Answer:
RNA is more reactive because:

• It is single stranded.
• Every nucleotide has an additional OH^– group present at position 2 in the ribose.
• Mutates faster as compared to DNA.

Question 3.
In an experiment, DNA is treated with a compound which tends to place itself amongst the stacks of nitrogenous base pairs. As a result of this, the distance between two consecutive base increases from 0.34 nm to 0.44 nm. Calculate the length of DNA double helix, which has 2 × 10⁹ bp in saturating the presence of this compound. [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
The new length of DNA helix would be
= 2 × 10^-9 × 0.44 × 10^-9bp.

Question 4.
In a nucleus, the number of RNA nucleoside triphosphates is 10 times more than the number of DNA nucleoside triphosphates,
still only DNA nucleotides are added during the DNA replication, and not the RNA nucleotides. Why?
[NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
DNA polymerase is highly specific to recognise only deoxyribonucleoside r triphosphates. Therefore, it cannot hold RNA nucleotides.

Question 5.
Name the enzyme involved in the continuous replication of DNA strand. Mention the polarity of the template strand.
Answer:
DNA polymerase is involved in continuous replication of DNA strand. The polarity of template strand is 3′ → 5′.

Question 6.
What is a cistron?
Answer:
Cistron is a segment of DNA coding for a polypeptide chain.

Question 7.
Name the transcriptionally active region of chromatin in a nucleus.
Answer:
Euchromatin or Exon.

Question 8.
Write the function of RNA polymerase n.
Answer:
RNA polymerase II transcribes precursor of mRNA or hnRNA.

Question 9.
Mention the two additional processings which /mRNA needs to
undergo after splicing so as to become functional.
Answer:
Capping and tailing.

Question 10.
Give an example of a codon having dual function.
Answer:
AUG has dual function. It acts as initiation codon and also codes for methionine.

Question 11.
Sometimes cattle or even human beings give birth to their young ones that have extremely different sets of organs like limbs/position of eye(s), etc. Why? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
This is due to a disturbance in coordinated regulation of expression of sets of genes associated with organ development or due to mutations.

Question 12.
How does a degenerate code differ from an unambiguous one?
Answer:
Degenerate code means that one amino acid can be coded by more than one codon. Unambiguous code means that one codon codes for only one amino acid.

Question 13.
What is aminoacylation? State its significance.
Answer:
Aminoacylation of t-RNA involves activation of amino acids by ATP which gets linked to OH’ present at the 3′ end of specific t-RNA. The process is also called charging of t-RNA.

Question 14.
Mention how c|oes DNA polymorphism arise in a population?
Answer:
DNA polymorphism in a population arise due to presence of inheritable mutations at high frequency.

Question 15.
How is repetitive/satellite DNA separated from bulk genomic DNA for various genetic experiments?
Answer:
By using density gradient centrifugation, where satellite DNA forms small peaks.

Short answer type questions

Question 1.
Recall the experiments done by Frederick Griffith, Avery, MacLeod and McCarty, where DNA was speculated to be the genetic material. If RNA, instead of DNA was the genetic material, would the heat killed strain of Pneumococcus have transformed the 12-strain into virulent strain? Explain.
[NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
RNA is more labile and prone to degradation, owing to the presence of 2’OH group in its ribose. Hence, heat-killed S-strain may not have retained its ability to transform the R-strain into virulent form if RNA was its genetic material.

Question 2.
Name a few enzymes involved in DNA replication other than DNA polymerase and ligase. Name the key functions for each of them. [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
The enzymes involved in DNA replication other than DNA polymerase and ligase are listed below with their functions:\

• Helicase – Opens the helix
• Topoisomerases – Removes the tension caused due to unwinding
• DNA ligase – Joins the cut DNA strands

Question 3.
Following are the features of genetic codes. What does each one indicate?
Stop codon; Unambiguous codon; Degenerate codon; Universal codon.
Answer:

• Stop codon is a codon, which does not code for any amino acid and here the polypeptide chain is released e.g., 3 codons – UAA, UAG, UGA.
• Unambiguous codon : One codon codes for only one specific amino acid.
• Degenerate codon : Here, one amino acid is coded by more than one codon e.g., amino acid glycine is coded by four codons (GGU, GGC, GGA, GGG).
• Universal codon means a codon specifies the same amino acid in all
  the organisms even in a virus. ,

Question 4.
A single base mutation in a gene may not ‘always’ result in loss or gain of function. Do you think the statement is correct? Defend your answer. [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
The statement is correct because of degeneracy of codons, mutations at third base of codon, usually does not result into any change in phenotype. This is called silent mutations but at other times it can lead to loss or formation of malformed protein changing the phenotype.

Question 5.
(a) Name the scientist who called tRNA an adapter molecule.
(b) Draw a clover leaf structure of fRNA showing the following:
(i) Tyrosine attached to its amino acid site.
(ii) Anticodon for this amino acid in its correct site (codon for tyrosine is UCA).
(c) What does the actual structure of JRNA look like?
Answer:
(a) Francis Crick
(b)
(c) The actual structure of t-RNA looks like inverted L.

Question 6.
A low level of expression of lac operon occurs at all the time. Can you explain the logic behind this phenomena. [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
In the complete absence of expression of lac operon, permease will not be synthesised which is essential for transport of lactose from medium into the cells. And if lactose cannot be transported into the cell, then it cannot act as inducer. Hence, cannot relieve the lac operon from its repressed state. Therefore, lac operon is always expressed.

Question 7.
Would it be appropriate to use DNA probes such as VNTR in DNA fingerprinting of a bacteriophage? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
Bacteriophage does not have repetitive sequences such as VNTRs in its genome, as its genome is very small (i.e., 5386bp) and have all the coding sequence. Therefore, DNA fingerprinting is not done for phages.

Long answer type questions

Question 1.
Describe Meselson and Stahl’s experiment that was carried in 1958 on E.coil. Write the conclusion they arrived at after the experiment.
Matthew Meselson and Franklin Stahl (1958) grew E. coli in a medium containing ¹⁵NH₄Cl (¹⁵N is the heavy isotope of nitrogen) as
the only nitrogen source for many generations. The result was that ¹⁵N was incorporated into newly synthesised DNA (as well as other nitrogen containing compounds). This heavy DNA molecule could be distinguished from the normal DNA by centrifugation in a cesium chloride (CsCl) density gradient.

They transferred the cells into a medium with normal ¹⁴NH₄Cl and took samples at various definite time intervals as the cells multiplied, and extracted the DNA that remained as double-stranded helices. The various samples were separated independently as CsCl gradients to measure the densities of DNA.

Thus, the DNA that was extracted from the culture one generation after the transfer from ¹⁵N to ¹⁴N medium (that is after 20 minutes; E.coli divides in 20 minutes) had a hybrid or intermediate density. DNA extracted from the culture after another generation (that is after 40 minutes, II generation) was composed of equal amounts of hybrid DNA and of light DNA.

Matthew Meselson and Franklin Stahl’s experiment demonstrated that DNA replication is semi-conservative.

Generation I Generation II

Question 2.
(a) Describe the series of experiments of F. Griffith. Comment on the significance of the results obtained.
(b) State the contribution of MacLeod, McCarty and Avery.
Answer:
(a) Frederick Griffith (1928), a British doctor, was studying the pathogenicity of different strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae. It has two strains- (i) virulent cause pneumonia, has S-type of bacteria, covered by sheath of mucilage, (ii) non-virulent do not produce the disease, has R-type of bacteria, devoid of sheath of mucilage.

Griffith found that on injecting live R-type bacteria did not produce the disease while live S-type caused pneumonia and the death in mice. However, when heat-killed S-type injected, they did not produce the disease. Finally, Griffith injected a combination of live-R-type and heat-killed S-type bacteria into mice. Some mice survived while others developed the disease of pneumonia and died. Autopsy of dead mice showed that they possessed both the type of bacteria (virulent-S-type and non-virulent-R-type) in living form through the mice that had been injected with dead virulent (S-type) and living non-virulent (R-type) bacteria.

From the above experiment, Frederick Griffith concluded that the occurrence of living S-type virulent bacteria is possible only by their formation from R-type non-virulent bacteria which pick-up the trait of virulence from dead bacteria. This phenomenon is called Griffith effect or transformation. Griffith proposed that the transforming principle is a chemical substance released by heat-killed S-type, which changed the S-type into S-bacteria. It was a permanent change as the new S-type formed only S-type progeny.

(b) Avery, MacLeod, McCarty discovered that DNA from the heat-killed S-strain caused the living R-strain bacteria to become transformed into living S-type. They found proteases and RNAases did not affect transformation while DNAases inhibit transformation. They concluded that DNA is the hereditary material.

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Biology Important Questions Chapter 5 Principles of Inheritance and Variation Important Questions and Answers.

PSEB 12th Class Biology Important Questions Chapter 5 Principles of Inheritance and Variation

Question 1.
Mention any two contrasting traits with respect to seeds in pea plant that were studied by Mendel.
Answer:
Round/Wrinkled, Yellow/Green.

Question 2.
Name the type of cross that would help to find the genotype of a pea plant bearing violet flowers.
Answer:
Test Cross.

Question 3.
State a difference between a gene and an allele.
Answer:
Gene is a unit of heredity passed from’one generation to next generation and determine the expression of any morphological or physiological inheritable character of an organism.

Alleles are alternative form of a gene, occupying the same position on homologous chromosomes and affecting the alternative forms (contrasting traits) of the same character.

Question 4.
A garden pea plant (A) produced inflated yellow pod, and another plant (B) of the same species produced constricted green pods. Identify the dominant traits.
Answer:
Inflated green pod is the dominant trait.

Question 5.
Mention the type of allele that expresses itself only in homozygous state in an organism.
Answer:
Recessive allele.

Question 6.
A garden pea plant produced axial white flowers. Another of the same species produced terminal violet flowers. Identify the dominant traits.
Answer:
Axial, violet flower.

Question 7.
What are ‘true breeding lines’ that are used to study inheritance pattern of traits in plants?
Answer:
True breeding lines are plants which have undergone continuous self-pollination for several generations. These are homozygous for traits.

Question 8.
Name the stage of cell division where segregation of an independent pair of chromosomes occurs.
Answer:
Anaphase-I of Meiosis-I.

Question 9.
A male honeybee has 16 chromosomes whereas its female has 32 chromosomest Give one reason.
Answer:
A male honeybee with 16 chromosomes develops parthenogenetically from an unfertilised egg and is haploid (n) whereas the female honeybee with 32 chromosomes develops from a fertilised egg, the zygote and is diploid (2n).

Question 10.
Why is it that the father never passes on the gene for haemophilia to his sons? Explain.
Answer:
Haemophilia is a sex-linked recessive disease and the defective gene is present on X chromosome only and not on Y chromosome. Father never passes X chromosome to the son as father only contributes Y chromosome to the son.

Question 11.
Write the chromosomal defect in individuals affected with Klinefelter’s syndrome.
Answer:
Klinefelter syndrome is caused due to the presence of an additional X-chromosome in the genotype of an individual i.e., 44 + XXY.

Question 12.
State the chromosomal defect in individuals with Turner’s syndrome.
Answer:
In Turner’s syndrome, the karyotype of the individual is 44 + XO. The X-chromosome is missing. It is due to the non-disjunction of X-chromosomes during oogenesis/spermatogenesis.

Short answer type questions

Question 1.
Mendel published his work on inheritance of characters in 1865, but it remained unrecognised till 1900. Give three reasons for the delay in accepting his work.
Answer:

• The communication was not easy in those days and his work could not be widely publicised.
• His concept of genes as stable and discrete units that controlled the expression of traits and of the pair of alleles which did not ‘blend’ each other was not accepted by contemporaries as an explanation for the apparently continuous variation seen in nature.
• Mendel’s approach of using mathematics to explain biological phenomena was totally new and unacceptable to many of the biologists of his time.
• Though Mendel’s work suggested that factors (genes) were discrete units, he could not provide any physical proof for the existence of factors what they were made of.

Question 2.
The pedigree chart given below shows a particular trait which is absent in parents but present in the next generation irrespective of sexes.
Draw your conclusion on the basis of the pedigree. [NCERT Exemplar]

Answer:
The pedigree chart shows that the trait is autosomal linked and recessive in nature. But, the parents are carriers (i.e. heterozygous) hence, among the offsprings only few show the trait irrespective of sex. The other offsprings are either normal or carrier.

Question 3.
What is Down’s syndrome? Give its symptoms and cause. Why is it that the chances of having a child with Down’s syndrome increases if the age of the mother exceeds forty years?
[NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
Down’s syndrome is a human genetic disorder caused due to trisomy of chromosome 21. Such individuals are anploid and have 47 chromosomes (2n + 1). The symptoms include mental retardation, growth abnormalities, constantly open mouth, dwarfness, etc. The reason for the disorder is the non-disjunction (failure to separate) of homologous chromosome of pair 21 during meiotic division in the ovum.

The chance of having a child with Down’s syndrome increase with the age of the mother (40+) because ova are present in females since their birth and therefore older cells are more prone to chromosomal non-disjunction because of various physicochemical exposures during the mother’s life-time.

Question 4.
Differentiate between male and female heterogamety.
Answer:
In male heterogamety, the male is heteromorphic and have XY or XO type of sex chromosomes and produce two types of sperms, 50% with X- chromosome and 50% with Y-chromosome or none. The sex of the offspring depends upon the type of sperm, which fuses with egg e.g., mammals, Drosophila, grasshopper.

In female heterogamety, the female is heteromorphic and heterogametic and have ZW or ZO type of sex chromosomes and produce two types of eggs. The sex of the offspring depends upon the type of egg, which is fertilised, e.g., bird and some reptiles, butterflies and moths.

Question 5.
Explain mechanism of sex-determination in birds.
Answer:
Sex-determination in birds is opposite to human beings. Here the females contain heteromorphic sex chromosomes (AA + ZW) while the males have homomorphic (AA + ZZ) chromosomes. Thus, there is female heterogamety. The females are heterogametic and produce two types of eggs (A + Z) and (A + W). The male gametes are of one type (A + Z).

Question 6.
Why are human females rarely haemophilic? Explain. How do haemophilic patients suffer?
Answer:
Haemophilia is a sex-linked recessive disorder. The females have XX chromosomes and the males have XY chromosomes. If one of the two X chromosomes is normal, she remains a carrier and not diseased. Females will haemophilic only when both the X chromosomes carry the haemophilia gene, and this is possible only when the mother is a carrier and father is haemophilic. Haemophilic patients suffer from non-stop bleeding and nd clotting.

Question 7.
How do genes and chromosomes share similarity from the point of view of genetical studies? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
By 1902, the chromosome movement during meiosis had been worked out.
Walter Sutton and Theodore Boveri (1902) noted that the behaviour of chromosomes was parallel to the behaviour of genes and used chromosome movement to explain Mendel’s laws.
They studied the behaviour of chromosomes during mitosis (equational division) and during meiosis (reduction division). The chromosomes as well as genes occur in pairs and the two alleles of gene pair are located on homologous sites of homologous chromosomes.

Chromosomes segregate when germ cells are formed.

Question 8.
Write short notes on –
(i) Phenylketonuria
(ii) Aneuploidy
Answer:
(i) Phenylketonuria : It is an inborn error of metabolism. The affected individual lack an enzyme called phenylalanine hydroxylase that converts the amino acid phenylalanine into tyrosine. As a result, phenylalanine gets accumulated and converted into phenylpyruvic acid and other derivatives in brain, causing mental retardation. These are also excreted through urine due to their absorption by kidney.

(ii) Aneuploidy: It is a phenomenon which occurs due to non¬disjunction resulting into gain or loss of one or more chromosomes, during meiosis.

Long answer type questions

Question 1.
(a) A garden pea plant bearing terminal, violet flowers, when crossed with another pea plant bearing axial, violet flowers, produced axial, violet flowers and axial, white flowers in the ratio of 3 : 1. Work out the cross showing the genotypes of the parent pea plants and their progeny.
(b) Name and state the law that can be derived from this cross and not from a monohybrid cross.
Answer:

(b) Law of Independent Assortment : When two pairs of traits are combined in a hybrid, segregation of one pair of characters is independent of the other pair of character.

Question 12.
(a) Write the blood group of people with genotype IAIB. Give reasons in support of your answer.
(b) In one family, the four children each have a different blood group. Their mother has blood group A and their father has blood group B. Work out a cross to explain how it is possible.
Answer:
(a) Blood group AB. Both the alleles I^A and I^B are co-dominant and express themselves completely.
(b) A cross is carried out between heterozygous father (of blood group B) and heterozygous mother (of blood group A) to get four children with different blood groups.

All the four blood groups are controlled by three allelic genes I^A, I^B, i
and thus it shows phenomena of multiple allelism. Both I^A and I^B are dominant over i. However, when together, both are dominant and show the phenomena of co-dominance forming the blood group AB. Six genotypes are possible with combination of these three alleles.

Question 3.
(A) Why are colourblindness and thalassemia categorised as Mendelian disorders? Write the symptoms of these diseases seen in people suffering from them.
(B) About 8% of human male population suffers from colourblindness whereas only about 0.4% of human female population suffers from this disease. Write an explanation to show how it is possible.
Answer:
(A) Colourblindness and thalassemia are categorised as Mendelian disorders because they are (i) due to alteration or mutation in a single gene (ii) transmission to the offspring follow principle of inheritance (iii) can be studied by pedigree analysis.
Symptoms of Colourblindness
(a) Difficulty in distinguishing between colours

• Protanopia-red colourblindness
• Deuternopia-green colourblindness
• Tritanopia-blue colourblindness

(b) Rapid eye movement (in rare cases)
(c) Inability to see shades or tones of the same colour.
(d) In rare cases, some people see only black, white and grey.

Symptoms of Thalassemia
(a) Formation of abnormal haemoglobin molecules resulting into haemolytic anaemia.
(b) Slow growth, delayed puberty.
(c) Bones become wider than normal, brittle and break easily
(d) Poor appetite
(e) A pale and listless appearance
(f) Dark urine
(g) Enlarged spleen, liver or heart.

(B) Colourblindness is a recessive sex-linked disorder in which the patient cannot distinguish red-green colour. The gene for colourblindness is present on X-chromosome. Presence of colourblindness in 8% human male population, is due to the presence of a single X-chromosome in male. There is no chance of dominant and recessive condition, as there is a single gene. Hemizygous condition is enough for the occurrence of defect in males. In females, due to presence of two X-chromosomes, the single gene of colourblindness cannot express and such females are carriers (XX^c) for a female to be colourblind, both of her X-chromosome, carry gene for colourblindness(X^cX^c).

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Biology Important Questions Chapter 4 Reproductive Health Important Questions and Answers.

PSEB 12th Class Biology Important Questions Chapter 4 Reproductive Health

Very short answer type questions

Question 1.
Reproductive health refers only to healthy reproductive functions. Comment. [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
Reproductive health refers to the total well-being in all aspects of reproduction, i.e., physical, behavioural, psychological and social.

Question 2.
The present population growth rate in India is alarming. Suggest ways to check it. [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:

• By increasing marriageable age.
• By promoting use of birth control measure.
• By educating people about consequences of un- controlled population growth.

Question 3.
Why do intensely lactating mothers not generally conceive? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
Due to suppression of gonadotropins, ovulation and menstrual cycle do not take place.

Question 4.
Name an IUD that you would recommend to promote the cervix hostility to sperms.
Answer:
The hormone releasing IUD’s, e.g. progestasert, LNG-20 are , recommended to promote the cervix hostility to sperms.

Question 5.
Mention any tvgo events that are exhibited by the intake of oral contraceptive pills to prevent pregnancy in humans.
Answer:
Two events that are exhibited by the intake of oral contraceptive pills to prevent pregnancy in humans are ovulation and implantation.

Question 6.
Why is tubectomy considered a contraceptive method?
Answer:
Tubectomy involves cutting a piece of the fallopian tube and tying its ends. This way, the sperms are not able to reach the egg and it acts as a contraceptive method.

Question 7.
Mention the primary aim of the ‘Assisted Reproductive Technology’ (ART) programme. [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
‘Assisted Reproductive Technology’ (ART) is the collection of certain I1 special techniques. The primary aim of the ART programmes is to assist infertile couples to have children through certain special techniques (like ZIFT, IUT, GIFT, ICSI, AI, etc.), when corrective treatment for infertility problems is not possible.

Question 8.
Expand GIFT and ICSI.
Answer:
GIFT: Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer.
ICSI: Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection.

Short answer type questions

Question 1.
Comment on the RCH programme of the government to improve the reproductive health of the people. [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
The basic aims of the RCH programmes are creating public awareness f regarding reproduction-related aspects and providing facilities to build up a healthy society with added emphasis on the health of mother and child.

Question 2.
(a) List any four characteristics of an ideal contraceptive.
(b) Name two intrauterine contraceptive devices that effect the motility of sperms.
Answer:
(a) An ideal contraceptive should be:

• user friendly,
• easily available,
• effective,
• reversible with no or least side-effects,
• non-interfering with the sexual drive/desire and/or the sexual act of the user, (any four)

(b) Intrauterine Devices (IUDs): Lippes loop, copper releasing IUDs (Cu-T, Cu-7, multiload 375).

Question 3.
Name two hormones that are constituents of contraceptive pills. Why do they have high and effective contraceptive value? Name a commonly prescribed non-steroidal oral pill.
Answer:
Hormonal preparations (progestogens or progesterons and estrogens) are highly effective contraceptive because they inhibit ovulation and implantation, e.g., Mala-D, Mala-L. Morning after pills are used as emergency contraceptives, to avoid pregnancy due to rape or casual unprotected intercourse.

“Saheli”, a new oral pill is used “once-a-week” a non-steroidal preparation With very less side effects and high contraceptive value developed by CDRI in Lucknow, India.

Question 4.
Name and explain the surgical method advised to human males and females as a means of birth control. Mention its one advantage and one disadvantage.
Answer:
In the males-Vasectomy. In this method, a small part of the vas deferens is removed or tied up through a small incision on the scrotum. In the females-Tubectomy. In this method, a small part of the fallopian tube is removed or tied up through a small incision in the abdomen or through vagina.
Advantage: Highly effective
Disadvantage: Reversibility is very poor

Question 5.
A childless couple has agreed for a test tube baby programme. List only the basic steps of the procedure would involve to conceive the baby.
Answer:
IVF is the technique used in the case of childless couple. In IVF or In Vitro fertilisation, fertilisation is carried out in a glass container outside the body of the mother. Purified semen is poured over the mature retrieved oocytes. The fertilised eggs are separated and allowed to remain in culture medium, maintained in incubator for 48-72 hours. During the period, the fertilised egg undergoes cleavage and reach 4-8 celled stage, 2-3 fertilised 4-8 celled embryos are transferred or implanted .into the uterus of the recipient surrogate mother, for further development up to delivery.
Note: Excess fertilised oocytes are cryopreserved for use in case of implantation failure.

Question 6.
Why is medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) carried out?
Answer:
MTP is carried out to get rid of unwanted pregnancies. It is also essential when the foetus is suffering from an incurable disease or when continuation of the pregnancy could be harmful or even fatal to the mother and/or foetus.

Long answer type questions

Question 1.
Your school has been selected by the Department of Education to organise and host an interschool seminar on “Reproductive Health-Problems and Practices.” However, many parents are reluctant to permit their wards to attend it. Their argument is that the topic is “too embarrassing.”
Put forth four arguments with appropriate reasons and explanation to justify the topic to be very essential and timely.
Answer:
The selection of your school, to host a seminar on “Reproductive Health-Problems and Practices” is a matter great pride for the prestigious institute. The students will have an opportunity to listen to the diverse ideas, suggested by the learned speakers.

It is sad that many parents are reluctant to permit their wards to attend the seminar assuming that the topic is too embarrassing. The following arguments will justify the relevance of the topic in the present time:
(i) Introduction of sex education and the proper information about reproductive organs, adolescence and related changes will protect the youth from social evils like sex-abuse and sex-related crimes.

(ii) Right information about safe, healthy and hygienic sexual practices, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) would help the people to lead a reproductive healthy life.

(iii) Decline in sex-ratio is a matter of great concern. The Govt, has put a I statutory ban on female foeticide. Both girls and boys have equal rights and equal opportunities in all spheres of life.

(iv) India is facing another problem of population explosion. It is eating, almost all the benefits of overall development. The benefits of development are not trickling down to the poor at lower strata. There is need for family planning, socially conscious healthy families of desired size i.e., Hum Do Humare Do.

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Biology Important Questions Chapter 3 Human Reproduction Important Questions and Answers.

PSEB 12th Class Biology Important Questions Chapter 3 Human Reproduction

Very short answer type questions

Question 1.
Why are the human testes located outside the abdominal cavity? Name the pouch in which they are present.
Answer:
The human testes need lower temperature, 2-2.5°C less than the body temperature, for the formation of sperms which is provided outside the body. Testes are present in scrotal sac or scrotum.

Question 2.
Write the location and function of the sertoli cells in humans.
Answer:
Sertoli cells are present in seminiferous tubules. They provide nutrition to the germ cells or sperms.

Question 3.
Mention the location and the function of leydig cells in humans.
Answer:
Leydig cells are present in seminiferous tubules. They synthesise and secrete androgens.

Question 4.
The path of sperm transport is given below. Provide the missing steps in blank boxes. [NCERT Exemplar]

Answer:
Vasa efferentia, Vas deferens.

Question 5.
Female reproductive organs and associated functions are given below in column A and B. Fill in the blank boxes. [NCERT Exemplar]

Column A	Column B
Ovaries	Ovulation
Oviduct	A
B	Pregnancy
Vagina	Birth

Answer:
A – Fertilisation
B – Uterus

Question 6.
What is the role of cervix of the human female system in reproduction? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
Cervix helps in regulating the passage of sperms into the uterus and forms the birth canal to facilitate parturition.

Question 7.
When do the oogenesis and the spermatogenesis initiate in human females and males respectively?
Answer:
In females; oogenesis initiates during foetal life. In males, spermatogenesis begins at the time of puberty.

Question 8.
Mention the importance of LH surge during menstrual cycle. [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
LH surge is essential for the events leading to ovulation.

Question 9.
Menstrual cycles are absent during pregnancy. Why? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
The high levels of progesterone and estrogens during pregnancy suppress the release of gonadotropins required for the development of new follicles. Therefore, new cycle cannot be initiated.

Question 10.
How does the sperm penetrate through the zona pellucida in [ human ovum?
Answer:
The sperm penetrates through zona pellucida with the help of secretions from acrosome.

Question 11.
Mention the function of trophoblast in human embryo.
Answer:
Trophoblast is the outer layer of blastocyst which helps in the attachment of blastocyst to the endometrium of the uterus.

Question 12.
Explain the function of umbilical cord.
Answer:
It transports nutrients and respiratory gases and metabolic wastes to and from mother and foetus.

Question 13.
Given below are the stages in human reproduction. Write them ‘ in correct sequential order.
Insemination, Gametogenesis, Fertilisation, Parturition, Gestation, Implantation. [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
Gametogenesis, Insemination, Fertilisation, Implantation, Gestation, Parturition.

Question 14.
What stimulates pituitary to release the hormone responsible for parturition? Name the hormone.
Answer:
The signal from the fully developed foetus and placenta or the foetal , ejection reflex induces mild uterine contraction. The hormone released is oxytocin.

Question 15.
Name the important mammary gland secretions that help in resistance of the new bom baby. [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
Colostrum

Question 16.
Mention the function of mitochondria in sperm.
Answer:
It provide energy for the movement of sperm tail.

Short answer type questions

Question 1.
Write the function of each of the following:
(a) Middle piece in human sperm.
(b) Luteinising hormone in human males.
Answer:
(a) Provides energy for movement.
(b) Stimulates synthesis and secretion of androgens or male hormones for spermatogenesis.

Question 2.
Differentiate between mayor structural changes in the human ovary during the follicular and luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
Answer:

Follicular phase	Luteal phase
1. During this, primary follicles grow to become fully mature Graafian follicle.	During this, remaining part of Graafian follicle transforms into corpus luteum.
2. Endometrium regenerates through proliferation.	Endometrium further thickens secreting progesterone for implantation after fertilisation. If fertilisation does not occur, corpus luteum degenerates.

Question 3.
Explain the events in a normal woman during her menstrual cycle on the following days :
(a) Pituitary hormone levels from 8 to 12 days.
(b) Uterine events from 13 to 15 days.
(c) Ovarian events from 16 to 23 days.
Answer:
(a) The level of LH and FSH secreted by anterior lobe of pituitary, stimulated by GnRH, increases.

(b) The endometrium of the uterus regenerates through proliferation. It grows and become thickened. There is repair of ruptured blood vessels and new blood capillaries develop. Uterine glands elongate.

(c) The remnant of Graafian follicle forms corpus luteum which secretes large amount of progesterone essential for maintenance of endometrium for implantation and for pregnancy.

Question 4.
What happens to corpus luteum in human female if the ovum is (a) fertilised, (b) not fertilised?
Answer:
(a) In case the ovum is fertilised, the corpus luteum persists and secretes a large amount of progesterone. The progesterone is essential for maintenance of endometrium, a necessity for implantation and for pregnancy.

(b) In the absence of fertilisation, corpus luteum degenerates. The level of LH and progesterone decreases very low. The absence of hormonal support, leads to the disintegration of endometrium and results in menstrual flow.

Question 5.
A large number of married couples the world over are childless. It is shocking to know that in India the female partner is often blamed for the couple being childless.
(a) Why in your opinion the female partner is often blamed for such situations in India? Mention any two values that you as a biology student can promote to check this Social evil.
(b) State any two reasons responsible for the cause of infertility.
(c) Suggest a technique that can help the couple to have a child where the problem is with the male partner.
Answer:
(a) The female partner is wrongly blamed for not bearing the child. It is due to the lack of proper information and knowledge about the reproduction and reproductive organs. Being a biology student I will advise and explain the couple as well as their other family members. Both male and female are equally responsible for bearing child. The two value, promoted are (i) concern for others (ii) scientific
temperament.

(b) Infertility is the inability to produce children inspite of unprotected sex and sexual co-habitation. It may be due to (i) physical/congenital disease (ii) immuno- logical or even physiological reason.

(c) In case, the problem is with male partner, artificial insemination (AI) is adopted. Semen collected either from the husband or a healthy donor is artificially introduced in the vagina or into the uterus of the female.

Question 6.
Name and explain the role of inner and middle walls of the human uterus.
Answer:
The inner wall of the uterus is called endometrium. It supports foetal growth and helps in placenta formation after implantation.
The middle wall of the uterus is called myometrium, exhibits strong contraction during delivery of baby.

Question 7.
Write a brief account of the structure and functions of placenta. [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
Placenta connects the foetus to the uterus through an umbilical chord. Both the foetal and the maternal tissues contribute to its formation. The foetal part is the chorionic villi and the maternal part is the uterine mucosa.

Long answer type questions

Question 1.
(a) Briefly explain the events of fertilisation and implantation in an adult human female.
(b) Comment on the role of placenta as an endocrine gland.
Or
Name the stage of human embryo of which it gets implanted.
Explain the process of implantation.
Or Draw a labelled diagram of a human blastocyst. How does it get implanted in the uterus?
Answer:
(a) (i) Fertilisation : Fertilisation occurs, if the ovum and sperms are transported simultaneously to the ampullary-isthmic junction and involve fusion of sperm with an ovum.
Secretions of acrosome of sperm help it to enter into the cytoplasm of ovum through zona pellucida and the plasma membrane. It induces meiotic division-II to form haploid ovum (ootid) and secondary polar body. The fusion of sperm with ovum to form diploid zygote is called fertilisation.

(ii) Implantation: Zygote undergoes cleavage to form a solid mass of 16 cells-morula, with daughter cells called blastomeres. Morula develops into a embryo with about 64 cells and with a cavity called blastocoel and the embryo is termed as blastocyst. It consists of outer layer of cells-trophoblast and inner cell mass.

The trophoblast gets attached to the endometrium- uterine wall of mother, after 7 days of fertilisation by a process called implantation leading to pregnancy. The uterine cells divide rapidly and cover blastocyst. The blastocyst gets embedded in the endometrium. Inner cell mass forms embryo.

(b) Placenta beside providing nutrients to the foetus also act as an endocrine gland. Placenta secretes human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), human placental lactogen (hPL), estrogen, progesterone etc., and later relaxin is secreted by ovary which facilitates parturition. Increased level of hormones like cortisol, prolactin and thyroxine etc., help in foetal growth, metabolic changes in the mother and maintenance of pregnancy.

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Biology Important Questions Chapter 15 Biodiversity and Conservation Important Questions and Answers.

PSEB 12th Class Biology Important Questions Chapter 15 Biodiversity and Conservation

Very short answer type questions

Question 1.
Why is genetic variation important in the plant Rauwolfia vomitoria? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
Genetic variation affects the variation in potency and concentration of me drug reserpine in the medicinal plant Rauwolfia vomitoria.

Question 2.
Name the type of biodiversity represented by the following:
(i) 50,000 different strains of rice in India
(ii) Estuaries and alpine meadows in India.
Answer:
(i) Genetic diversity
(ii) Ecological diversity

Question 3.
Identify ‘a’ and ‘b’ in the figure given below representing proportionate number of major vertebrate taxa.

Answer:
(a) Mammals
(b) Amphibians

Question 4.
Suggest two practices giving one example by each, that help protect rare or threatened species.
Answer:

1. By using cryopreservation (preservation at -196°C) technique, sperms, eggs, tissues, and embryos can be stored for long period in gene banks, seed banks etc.
2. Plants are propagated in vitro using tissue culture methods.

Question 5.
According to David Tilman, greater the diversity greater is the primary productivity. Can you think of a very low diversity man-made ecosystem that has high productivity? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
Agricultural fields like wheat field or paddy field which are also examples of monoculture practices.

Question 6.
What is Red Data Book? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
The Red Data Book is a compilation of data on species threatened with extinction and is maintained by IUCN. ‘

Question 7.
What is the expanded form of IUCN? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Question 8.
Why Western Ghats in India have been declared as biological hotspots?
Answer:
Western Ghats are biological hotspots because they have species richness and species evenness.

Question 9.
What is a national park?
Answer:
It is a protected area reserved for wildlife where human activities are not permitted.

Question 10.
What is the difference between endemic and exotic species? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
Endemic species are native species restricted to a particular geographical region. Exotic species are species which are introduced from other geographical regions into an area.

Question 11.
How is the presently occurring species extinction different from the earlier mass extinctions? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
Species extinction occurring at present is due to anthropogenic or man-made causes whereas the earlier extinction was due to natural causes.

Question 12.
Differentiate between in situ and ex situ approaches of conservation of biodiversity.
Answer:

In situ approach	Ex-situ approach
1. It involves protection of endangered species of plants and animals.	It involves protection of endangered species by removing them from the natural habitat.
2. This is done by protecting the natural habitat or ecosystem.	This is done by placing the species under special care.

Short answer type questions

Question 1.
What is biodiversity? Why is it a matter of concern now?
Answer:
Biodiversity is the occurrence of different types of genes, gene pools, species, habitats and ecosystems at a particular place and various parts of earth. It is a matter of concern because species are continuously lost, limiting the diversity and this will affect our survival and well-being on earth due to the changes in environment.

Question 2.
Where would you expect more species biodiversity-in tropics or in polar regions? Give reasons in support of your answer.
Answer:
More biodiversity is found in the tropics. This is because tropical regions remain undisturbed from frequent glaciations as in polar regions. Also, the tropics are less seasonal/more constant.

Question 3.
Is it true that there is more solar energy available in the tropics? Explain briefly. [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
As one moves from the equator to the polar regions, the length of the day decreases and the length of the night increases. The length of day and night are same at the equator. Therefore, it is true that there is more solar energy available in the tropics.

Question 4.
The given graph alongside shows species-area relationship. Write the equation of the curve ‘a’ and explain.
Answer:

The equation of the curve ‘a’ is S = CA^Z.
(i) Within a region, species richness increases with increasing explored area but only up to a limit.
(ii) Relationship between species richness and area for a wide variety of taxa turns out to be a rectangular hyperbola.

Question 5.
Explain ‘rivet popper hypothesis. Name the ecologist who proposed it.
Answer:
Paul Ehrlich proposed the rivet popper hypothesis. This hypothesis states that in an airplane (ecosystem) all parts are joined together using thousands of rivets (species). If every passenger traveling in it starts popping a rivet to take home (causing a species to become extinct), it may not affect flight safety (proper functioning of the ecosystem) initially but as more and more rivets are removed, the plane becomes dangerously weak over a period of time. Also, which rivet is removed may also be critical like loss of rivets on the wings (key species) is more serious threat to flight safety than loss of few rivets on the seats or windows inside the plane.

Question 6.
How do human activities cause desertification?
Answer:
Human activities like over-cultivation, unrestricted grazing, deforestation, and poor irrigation practices result in arid patches of land. The fertile topsoil that may take centuries to develop is eroded due to these activities. When large barren patches extend and meet over time, a desert is created. Increased urbanization is also one of the causes of desertification.

Question 7.
Why are conventional methods not suitable for the assessment of biodiversity of bacteria? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
Many bacteria are not culturable under normal conditions in the laboratory. This becomes a problem in studying their morphological, biochemical, and other characterizations which are useful for their assessment.

Question 8.
List any four techniques where the principle of ex-situ conservation of biodiversity has been employed.
Answer:
Ex-situ Conservation (off-site conservation)

1. Zoological parks and botanical gardens.
2. Wildlife safari parks, aquaria.
3. Preservation of germplasm-seed gene banks, tissue culture, cryopreservation.
4. Sacred plants grown in homes, villages, and religious places.

Long answer type questions

Question 1.
(a) Why should we conserve biodiversity? How can we do it?
(b) Explain the importance of biodiversity hotspots and sacred groves.
Or
Why should biodiversity be conserved? List any two ethical arguments in its support. ‘
Answer:
(a) Need for Conservation of Biodiversity: Reasons for conservation of biodiversity can be grouped into three categories :

1. narrowly utilitarian
2. broadly utilitarian and
3. ethical.

(i) Narrowly Utilitarian: The reasons for conserving biodiversity are obvious because of their :
(a) direct economic benefits such as

• food (cereals, pulses, fruits)
• firewood
• fiber
• construction material
• products of medicinal importance
• industrial products (tannins, gums, lubricants, dyes, resins, perfumes).

(b) More than 25% of the drugs are derived from plants.

(c) 25,000 species of plants are used as traditional medicines by native people.

(ii) Broadly Utilitarian: Biodiversity plays a major role in providing ecosystem services that nature provides and which cannot be given a price tag are :

• Production of Oxygen
• Pollination of flowers by bees, bumblebees, birds, and bats, etc.
• Resulting in the formation of fruits and seeds.
• Aesthetic pleasures like bird watching, walking through the thick forests, waking up to bulbul’s song, etc.

(iii) Ethical :
(a) We share this planet with millions of plants, animals, and microbe species. Every species has an intrinsic value even if it is not of current or any economic value to us.

(b) We have an essential duty to care for their well-being and pass on the biological legacy in a proper form to our future generations. We can conserve biodiversity by two major approaches

• In situ conservation (on site/ conservation)
• Ex situ conservation (off-site conservation).

(c) Hotspots are the areas identified by conservationists for the very high level of species richness and high degree of endemism (species confined to a particular area and not found anywhere else). Hotspots help in protection of certain biodiversity-rich regions.

Sacred groves are the tracts of forest set aside where all the trees and wildlife within are given religious sanctity and total protection. Such sacred groves are found in Khasi and Jaintia hills in Meghalaya, Aravalli Hills of Rajasthan etc.