57/1/1

1 mark

Micropropagation can be achieved by

(A) Self-pollination
(B) Asexual reproduction
(C) Tissue culture
(D) Vegetative propagation

The microbes commonly used in kitchens are

(A) Lactobacillus and Yeast
(B) Penicillium and Yeast
(C) Microspora and E. coli
(D) Rhizopus and Lactobacillus

The main barrier that prevents the entry of micro-organisms into our
body is
(A) Antibodies
(B) Macrophages
(C) Monocytes
(D) Skin

Nematode specific genes were introduced into the tobacco host plant using
a vector
(A) pBR 322
(B) Plasmid
(C) Bacteriophage
(D) Agrobacterium

2 mark

It is often observed that the chances of a person suffering from measles in his or
her lifetime are low if he or she has suffered from the disease in their early
childhood. Justify the statement.

A student on a field trip suddenly felt breathlessness and started to sneeze very
badly. Name this response and explain what it is due to.

Name the genus of baculovirus that acts as a biological control agent in spite of
being a pathogen. Justify by giving three reasons that make it an excellent
candidate for the job.

‘‘Micro-organisms play an important role for the biological treatment of sewage.’’

Justify.

Explain the changes that milk undergoes when suitable starter/inoculum is added to
it. How does the end product formed prove to be beneficial for human health ?

3 mark

Alien species invasion has been a threat to biodiversity.Justify with the help of a
suitable example. List any other three causes responsible for such a loss.

Explain the three steps carried out in the formation of recombinant DNA using the
enzyme EcoRI.

Name any two natural cloning vectors. Give reasons that make them act as cloning
vectors. Write the two characteristics the engineered vectors
are made to possess.
Explain the difference between commensalism and mutualism types of interactions,
with the help of a suitable example of each.

Case study (1x5) 1 mark each

Insulin in the human body is secreted by pancreas as
prohormone/proinsulin. The schematic polypetide structure of proinsulin is given
below. This proinsulin needs to undergo processing before it becomes functional in
the body.

Answer the questions that follow :

(a) State the change the proinsulin undegoes at the time of its processing to
become functional.
(b) Name the technique the American company Eli Lilly used for the commercial
production of human insulin.
(c) How are the two polypeptides of a functional insulin chemically held together ?

Study the age pyramids ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ of the human population given below and
answer the questions that follow :
(a) Identify pyramids ‘B’ and ‘C’.
(b) Write the basis on which the above pyramids are plotted.

57/1/2
1 mark

‘Cry’ protein’ coded by gene Cry IAb controls

(A) Cotton bollworm
(B) Corn borer
(C) Tobacco budworm
(D) Mosquito

2 mark
Name and mention the events that occur in the cells when HIV gets into blood after
gaining entry into the human body.

3 mark
In an E. coli cloning vector pBR 322, state the role of the following genes :
(a) ori gene
(b) Antibiotic resistance gene
(c) rop gene

Study the population growth curve given below and answer the questions that
follow :
(a) Identify ‘A’ and ‘B’ shown in the graph.
(b) When and why do such curves occur in a population ?

57/1/3
1 mark

ELISA technique is based on the principle of

(A) DNA replication
(B) Antigen and Antibody interaction
(C) Pathogen and Antigen interaction
(D) Antigen and Protein interaction

2 mark

Where do the following events occur in the life-cycle of Plasmodium ?

(a) Gametocyte development
(b) Sexual reproduction
(c) Asexual reproduction

(a) Explain the principle on the basis of which DNA is separated by the technique
of Gel electrophoresis.
(b) How is the separated DNA visualised ?

57/2/1
1 mark

The diagnostic test that confirms typhoid in humans is

(A) ELISA
(B) Widal
(C) MRI
(D) Amniocentesis

The bioactive molecule used as an immunosuppressive agent during organ transplant

is
(A) Tetracyclin
(B) Cyclosporin-A
(C) Statin
(D) Streptomycin

‘Blue revolution’ refers to

(A) construction of water dams for conservation of water
(B) production of fish in large quantities
(C) sewage treatment
(D) controlling algal bloom

Which one of the following is not the product of transgenic experiments ?

(A) Pest-resistant crop variety
(B) High nutritional value in grains
(C) Production of insulin by rDNA technique
(D) Drought-resistant crops

2 mark

Name the type of immunity the mother provides the newborn baby. How does it
happen ?

Name the two primary lymphoid organs. State the importance of T-lymphocytes.

How are malignant tumours different from benign tumours ? Why are some patients
treated with apha-interferons ?

3 mark

Mention any two advantages of micropropagation technique. Write how its process is
carried out in the laboratory. Name any two important food plants grown
commercially by this method.

When Bacillus thuringiensis enters a certain insect’s body, the insect gets killed,
but itself remains unaffected. Explain how it is possible.

(a) Write how parasites have evolved with adaptation to co-exist with their hosts
in an ecosystem.
(b) Parasites are host specific and tend to co-evolve. How would the parasite
respond if the host evolves a certain mechanism to resist or reject the parasite ?

Case Study (1x5)

Study the schematic representation given above and answer the following
questions :
(a) Identify A in it.
(b) Identify D in it.
(c) When the population density at time t is N as shown above, write the population
density at time t + 1 in the form of an equation using appropriate symbols.

(a) Identify steps A and B in a cycle of Polymerase Chain Reaction given below.
(b) State the specific characteristic feature of the enzyme in carrying step B.

5 mark
There is a great concern all over the world to conserve biodiversity for
maintaining ecological balance in nature. Explain giving three reasons. Write
different ways that have helped in increasing tiger population in our country.

57/2/2
2 mark
Name any two water/food borne diseases. Mention any two measures essential for
controlling these diseases

3 mark
Write the scientific names of the source organism and the function of
each one of the following bioactive molecules :
(a) Cyclosporin A
(b) Streptokinase
(c) Statin

57/2/3
2 mark
Mention the function of the spleen in the human body. Name the two different types
of cells present in it.

What is tissue culture ? Explain how, from a virus infected banana plant, virus
free healthy banana plants can be grown by this technique.

57/3/1
1 mark
Introduction of an alien DNA into a plant host cell is achieved by making
them
(A) Competent with bivalent ions
(B) Using microinjections
(C) Using gene gun
(D) Using lysozymes and chitinase

One of the ex situ conservation methods for endangered species is

(A) Biosphere reserves
(B) National parks
(C) Cryopreservation
(D) Wildlife sanctuaries

The principle of vaccination is based on the property of

(A) Specificity
(B) Diversity
(C) Memory
(D) Discrimination between ‘self’ and ‘non-self’
Opioids act as
(A) Depressants
(B) Pain killers
(C) Euphoria providers
(D) Stimulants

2 mark
Spirulina is a rich source of proteins. Mention the two ways by which
large scale culturing of these microbes is possible.

How does EcoRI specifically act on DNA molecule ? Explain.

Mention the kind of interaction mycorrhizae exhibit. How is Glomus in mycorrhizal

association beneficial to the plants ?

3 mark
‘‘Cotton bollworms enjoy feeding on cotton plants, but get killed when feed on Bt
cotton plant.’’ Justify the statement.

(a) Mention the cause of ADA deficiency in humans.

(b) How is gene therapy carried out to treat the patients suffering from this
disease ?
(c) State the possibility of a permanent cure of this disease.

Mention the chemical nature of an antibody and name the type of cells they are
produced by. Write the difference between active and passive immune responses on
the basis of antibodies.

Name the cells that act as HIV factory in humans when infected by HIV. Explain the
events that occur in these infected cells.

Identify i, ii, iii, iv, v and vi in the following table :

No. Organism Bioactive molecules Use
1 Monascus purpureus i ii
2 iii iv Antibiotic
3 v Cyclosporin A vi

Given below is the diagram representing the observations made for separating DNA
fragments by Gel electrophoresis technique. Observe the illustration and answer the
questions that follow :
(a) Why are the DNA fragments seen to be moving in the direction A to B ?
(b) Write the medium used on which DNA fragments separate.
(c) Mention how the separated DNA fragments can be visualised for further technical
use.

5 mark
(a) According to ecologists, tropical regions in the world account for greater
biological diversity. Justify.
(b) Why are habitat loss and alien species invasion considered as the causes of
biodiversity loss ? Explain with the help of an example of each.

57//3/2
2 mark
Name any two autotrophic microbes and state how they serve as biofertilizers

How is the normal human body temperature of 37 degrees C maintained during (i)
Summer, and (ii) Winter ? Explain.

57/3/3
2 mark
Why are humming birds not found in the Polar region ?

State what are biofertilizers. Name any three sources of biofertilizers

57/4/1
1 mark
It is observed that, the species diversity decreases as we
(a) move away from equator to poles
(b) move towards equator from poles
(c) move along the equator
(d) move from deserts to rain-forests.

2 mark
Name the types of acquired immune responses, and the special types of lymphocytes
involved in providing them.

Name two organisms belonging to two different kingdoms, that are commonly used as
biofertilizers, and how ?

Write the basis of naming the restriction endonuclease EcoR-I.

What are transgenic animals ? How was the first transgenic cow found to be more
useful than the normal cow, for humans ?

How do the following organisms pull through the adverse environmental

conditions ?
(a) Fungi (b) Zooplankton
(c) Bear (d) Snails

Compare the symptoms of ascariasis, amoebiasis and elephantitis.

(a) Write the difference between the pro insulin and mature insulin.
(b) How did American company Eli Lilly produce human insulin using rDNA technique ?

Study the table showing the population interaction between species ‘Z’ and ‘Y’
respectively. Assign the appropriate ‘+’/‘–’ signs for ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘D’, ‘E’
and respective interactions for ‘C’ and ‘F’.
Species 'Z' Species 'Y' Name of Interaction
A B Mutualism
- - C
D E Parasitism
+ O F

(a) Explain the concept of endemism.

(b) Name four regions in and around our country that are considered hot-spots.

Observe the diagram shown below of pBR 322. Answer the questions that follow :
(a) What is pBR322 ?
(b) Write the role of ‘rop’.
(c) State the significance of ‘ampR’ and ‘tetR’.

(a) How do normal cells become cancerous ?

(b) Cancer can be treated successfully only if detected at an early stage.
How do the following help in detecting cancer ?
(i) Biopsy (ii) Histopathology (iii) MRI
(c) Name any two methods that can possibly cure cancer.

57/4/2
2 mark
Name any two most common bio-reactors and mention their importance in
biotechnology.

3 mark
Study the table given below. Identify A, B, C, D, E and F in the table.
Name of the Drug Scientific name of source plant Effect on human
organ/system
Opioids A
B
‘C’ Cannabis sativa
D
Cocaine ‘E’
F

57/4/3
2 mark
Why are certain animals called ‘transgenic’ ? Give an example of such an animal
that is being used for testing the vaccine safety for a specific human disease.
Name the disease.

(a) Write the specific symptoms of pneumonia and amoebiasis.

(b) Mention their mode of spread in a population.

57/5/1
1 mark

Large-holes in ‘Swiss-Cheese’ are due to

(a) Propionibacterium sharmanii
(b) Saccharomyces cerevisae
(c) Penicillium chrysogenum
(d) Acetobacter aceti

Species-Area relationship is represented on a log scale as

(a) hyperbola
(b) rectangular hyperbola
(c) linear
(d) inverted

2 mark

Differentiate between opioids and cannabinoids on the basis of their

(a) specific receptor site in human body.
(b) mode of action in human body.

(a) Name the two techniques employed to meet the increasing demand of
fish in the world.
(b) Name any two fresh water fishes.

Describe the contributions of Alexander Fleming, Ernest Chain and Howard Florey in
the field of microbiology.

All cloning vectors do have a ‘selectable marker’. Describe its role in recombinant
DNA-technology.

Mention how have plants developed mechanical and chemical defence against
herbivores to protect themselves with the help of one example of each.
3 mark
What are ‘SNPs’ ? Where are they located in a human cell ? State any two ways the
discovery of SNPs can be of importance to humans.

Why GMOs are so called ? List the different ways in which GMO plants have
benefitted and have become useful to humans.

Explain any three ways other than zoological parks, botanical gardens and wildlife
safaries, by which threatened species of plants and animals are being conserved ‘ex
situ’.

Study the diagram showing the entry of HIV into the human body and the
processes that are followed :
(a) Name the human cell ‘A’ HIV enters into.
(b) Mention the genetic material ‘B’ HIV releases into the cell.
(c) Identify enzyme ‘C’.

23. Following a road accident four injured persons were brought to a nearby clinic.
The doctor immediately injected them with tetanus antitoxin.
(a) What is tetanus antitoxin ?
(b) Why were the injured immediately injected with this antitoxin ?
(c) Name the kind of immunity this injection provided.

“The population of a metro city experiences fluctuations in its population density

over a period of time.”
(a) When does the population in a metro city tend to increase ?
(b) When does the population in metro city tend to decline ?
(c) If ‘N’ is the population density at the time ‘t’, write the population density
at the time ‘t + 1’.

5 mark
Name the insect that attacks cotton crops and causes lot of damage to the crop. How
has Bt cotton plants overcome this problem and saved
the crop ? Explain.
(b) Write the role of gene Cry IAb. 5

(a) Explain the different steps carried out in Polymerase Chain Reaction, and the
specific roles of the enzymes used.
(b) Mention application of PCR in the field of
(i) Biotechnology
(ii) Diagnostics

57/5/2
3 mark
Explain the role of Agrobacterium tumifacience in developing resistance in tobacco
plant against nematode Meloidegyne incognitia. Name the processes responsible for
this.

(a) Write the palindromic nucleotide sequence EcoRI recognises.

(b) Draw the vector DNA and a foreign DNA showing the sites where
EcoRI has acted to form the sticky ends.
(c) Name the enzyme that helps in forming recombinant DNA.

Blind candidates
The human disease where Aedes mosquito serves as a vector is
(A) Malaria
(B) Dengue
(C) Diphtheria
(D) Pneumonia
The construction of the first recombinant DNA was by linking of a gene encoding
antibiotic resistance with the native plasmid of
(A) Salmonella typhimurium
(B) Agrobacterium tumefaciens
(C) Entamoeba histolytica
(D) Streptococcus pneumoniae

In DNA recombinant technique, for desired results, the gene of interest is always
linked to
(A) host
(B) parasite
(C) vector
(D) protein

2 mark
List the two specific features on which the acquired immune response is based.
Differentiate between primary and secondary immune responses.

Expand ELISA. Name the pathogen and the disease for which ELISA is used as a
diagnostic test.

‘‘Mammals can live in Antarctica as well as in the Sahara

Desert.’’ Explain how they manage to do this.

3 mark
‘‘Alien species invasion is one of the major causes of
biodiversity loss.’’ Explain the statement with the help of a
suitable example.

List any six common warning signs of drug and alcohol abuse among the youth.

(a) How do normal cells in a human body become cancerous ?

(b) What is metastasis ?

(a) Name any two naturally occurring cloning vectors.

(b) State the role of ‘Ori’ and ‘Cloning sites’ in a cloning
vector.

(a) Name the DNA polymerase used in PCR technique.

Write the scientific name of its source organism. How is
this DNA different from the DNA polymerase ?
(b) Mention the application of PCR technique.

Case Study 1 mark each

Biotechnology has played a very important role in reducing
reliance on pesticides by developing pest-resistant crop
varieties. Thus it has helped in increasing crop yields which
has helped the farmers. One such example is of cotton plant
being developed. Answer the questions that follow :
(a) Name the bollworm resistant variety of cotton plant that
was developed.
(b) When the bollworm ingests this plant,
(i) how do prototoxins from the plant get activated in
the gut ?
(ii) how does the gut get affected causing death of the
pest ?
In nature, no living species, whether of a plant, an animal or microbes, tend to
live as a single individual, but they have a population of their own species.
(a) Why do different species of organisms tend to live in
groups that constitute population ?
(b) How do the following affect the population density ?
(i) Emigration
(ii) Immigration