BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, PILANI (RAJASTHAN)

General Biology (BIO F111) Second Semester 2023-24 Date: 15.03.2024

Max Marks: 60 (30%) Mid-semester Examination (CLOSED BOOK) Duration: 90 min

The question paper is divided into 4 SECTIONS (A/B/C/D).

Answer all parts of the same section together; if you jumble them up, your answers won't be evaluated.
No justification, NO marks s. Irrelevantly long answers are NOT entertained.
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Section A (15M)

A1. Based on the steps of the scientific method learned in the class, identify which step the following
statements can be attributed to and provide an appropriate justification for your choice (1.5X2=3 M)
A) If you sleep for seven to eight hours a day, you are likely to perform better the following day.
B) Usually, students receiving higher grades tend to have 95% attendance in classes.

A2. In a hypothetical scenario, you are working in a lab that studies plant
diseases. You identify a particle that is responsible for changing the shapes of
potatoes from normal-appearing (first left in the adjacent figure) to elongated
ones (right). Upon further examination, you identify that these are only small
RNA particles causing the disease. Based on your understanding from classes,
provide an appropriate term for this pathogenic agent and mention at least one unique property for the
same. (1.5M)

A3. A ‘yellow jacket’, an insect in the order hymenoptera, stung me. A wasp, an insect in hymenoptera,
stung me. A hornet, an insect in hymenoptera, stung me. In these observations, I see a pattern and come
up with the following reasoning: All insects in this order must have stingers. As per the scientific study,
what type of reasoning does this represent? Justify. (1.5M)

A4. Meat tenderizer (softener) contains a functional protein that interacts with meat so that the spices
and herbs used for marination make the meat taste better. Normally, recipes recommend tenderization
treatment and marination for 30-60 mins. How would the process be affected if meat is coated with
tenderizer and then placed in a refrigerator for the same period? Justify your answer. (2M)

A5. In general, cholesterol has a bad reputation amongst biomolecules, especially when we think of
lifestyle diseases, such as cardiovascular disease. We seldom come across situations where cholesterol
levels are too low. Which cellular and physiological functions will be affected if cholesterol levels are too
low? Justify. (3M)

A6. You recently identified a novel protein that contains several membrane-spanning domains and a
central pore. Your friend says that the protein would have hydrophilic amino acids in the region facing the
membrane and hydrophobic in the central pore. Do you agree with your friend? Justify. (2M)

A7. You and your friend have an argument about life in general. Your friend argues that multicellularity is
rather an important characteristic of life. Do you agree with this? Provide justification while mentioning at
least four important characteristics/properties of life that are applicable to all living beings. (2M)

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 Section B (15M)

B1. All cells have their boundary. How are cell boundaries of plants, bacteria, fungi, and animals similar?
Also, mention the specific major difference for each. (2.5M)

B2. The discovery of antibiotics has been revolutionary in the field of medical sciences. However,
antibiotics can adversely affect the host's health even if taken in appropriate dosage. Based on the
concepts taught in the course, which physiological system of the host will be affected and why? How
would you tackle it? (3M)

B3. In the following table, the names of the products have been given in the first column. Write their
production as ‘yes’ and absence as ‘no’ in respective columns by redrawing this table in your answer
sheet. Abbreviations used in the following table are as follows: SLP (substrate level phosphorylation), CT
(cytoplasm), MT (mitochondria), ETC (Electron transport chain) (4.5M)

B4. There are some claims that few plants carry out photosynthesis (all steps including generation of ATP and
NADPH) at night-time. Can this be true? Based on the concepts delivered in the General Biology course, what will be
your points to support or deny this statement? (2M)

B5. The following images represent viruses of plants, bacteria, and animals. Based on their structure, how these
viruses differ in terms of entry into the host cell. Explain. (3M)

Plant virus Bacteriophage Animal virus

Section C (14M)

C1. After the digestion of food in humans, the digested molecules leave organ A and travel to organ B,
where harmful compounds get detoxified. Under normal conditions, organ B also converts the excess
amount of macromolecule C present in the blood into macromolecule D which is stored in organ B.
However, if a person suffers from disease E, then the macromolecule C is liberated directly in the urine.
The presence of macromolecule C in the urine is also used to diagnose the disease E. Identify A to E
mentioned in the above paragraph. (2.5M)

C2. “Sometimes consumption of excess alcohol may result in hangover and dizziness” Explain this
statement in connection with the excretory system. (2M)

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C3. Foods like potatoes, rice, cereals, etc., taste sweeter when chewed for longer. Explain why? (1.5M)

C4. During “Tracheostomy,” an incision is made through the anterior trachea, and a sterile tube is inserted
under aseptic conditions to facilitate respiration. But this procedure also increases the risk of respiratory
infections. What can be the possible causes of this increased risk of respiratory infection? (2M)

C5. During an intense workout at the gym, process A initiates in your muscles and produces more amount
of molecule B, which provides energy to continue the workout. Simultaneously, the amount of gas C rises
in your blood, which is sensed by organ D. After getting a signal from organ D, diaphragm contracts and
results in the elimination of gas C from the body. Identify A to D mentioned in the above paragraph. (2M)

C6. What is the effect of the following situations on the circulatory system? Justify. (4M)
(i) While a person is running the marathon race
(ii) Immediately after the marathon race for up to a few minutes

Section D (16M)

D1. State whether True or False with proper justifications: (4.5M)

(i) Our immune system is equipped to recognize and fight against foreign invaders, including those
that it has not been exposed to even once.
(ii) A person with kidney disease may also become anemic.
(iii) The lymphatic system, in addition to its role in circulation, also has a role in immunity.

D2. The adjacent figure represents a generalized

hormone signaling pathway. Identify the
biochemical nature of the hormone with proper
justifications. (1.5M)

D3. Due to excessive intake of alcohol, person X

is diagnosed with cirrhosis. The doctor advised
for an immediate liver transplant. The patient
was given a glucocorticoid injection just before
the surgery. Specify the reason behind it. (2M)

D4. Answer in brief with proper justifications

(i) During the first five minutes before the interview, a person experiences sweating, increased rate of
heartbeat, respiration, etc. Which hormone/s is/ are responsible for their restlessness? (1M)
(ii) What are mineralocorticoids? A person can die if it is absent. Why? (2M)
(iii) Suppose a person was born without the ability to produce MHC-I molecules. What problem would
that create? Which arm of immunity will be affected by this disorder? (1.5M)
(iv) In an individual, the development of the thymus is compromised. Which arm of immunity will be
affected by this disorder? (1.5M)

D5. When there is an injury to the skin, basophils releases ____ I (molecules/chemicals)___ which produce
redness, warmth, and edema. ___ II (type of cells)___ attack the invading microbes. These cells can
present antigens to B-cells, and hence can be called __III__. On detecting the antigen, the B-cells produce
____IV____ response. Identify and write what is I to IV. (2M)

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