SOLUTIONS
Self Assessment Paper-4
BIOLOGY
Section – A
1. Option (C) is correct.
Explanation: In albuminous seeds, food is stored in
the endosperm, and in ex-albuminous seeds, food
is stored in cotyledons.1
2. Option (A) is correct.
Explanation: Emasculation is the process of
removal of anthers before anther dehiscence, i.e.,
before they are mature and release pollen grains.
1
3. Option (A) is correct.
Explanation: Ff × ff
F f
F FF Ff
f Ff ff
Hence, the genotype of affected offspring in F1
generation will be ff (carrier of the disease).1
4. Option (C) is correct.
Explanation: The genotype of either parent could
be PpQqRr.1
5. Option (C) is correct.
Explanation: A frame shift mutation in a gene refers
to the insertion or deletion of nucleotide bases in
numbers that are not multiples of three. They shift
the translational reading frame out of alignment
and produce a random amino acid sequence.1
6. Option (D) is correct.
Explanation: Genetic diversity is influenced by
four events controlling evolution: mutation,
genetic drift, gene flow, and natural selection.1
7. Option (C) is correct.
Explanation: DNA consists of a nitrogenous base,
pentose sugar and a phosphate group. DNA has
negative charge due to the presence of a phosphate
group. Histones are rich in the basic amino acids
lysine and arginine, which carry positive charges
in their side chains. Thus, negatively charged DNA
is wrapped around the positively charged histone
octamer to form a structure called nucleosome.1
8. Option (B) is correct.
Explanation: The principle of central dogma of
molecular biology was proposed by Francis Crick.
This states that the genetic information always
flows unidirectionally from DNA to mRNA
(transcription) and then from mRNA to protein
(polypeptide translation).1
9. Option (C) is correct.
Explanation: Streptokinase, produced by the
bacterium Streptococcus and modified by genetic
engineering is used as a clot-buster.1
10. Option (B) is correct.
Explanation: A bacteriophage is a virus that infects
bacteria. The capsid of a bacteriophage can be
icosahedral, filamentous, or head-tail in shape.1
11. Option (C) is correct.
Explanation: Biopiracy is the commercial
exploitation of naturally occurring biological
materials. The most famous case of biopiracy was
regarding basmati rice.1
12. Option (B) is correct.
Explanation: The logistic population growth model,
dN/dt = rN (K - N/K), describes a population’s
growth when an upper growth is assumed.1
13. Option (A) is correct.
Explanation: Cleistogamous flowers mean anther
and stigma lie close to each other in the closed
flower. They are bisexual, which cannot open even
at maturity and thus self-pollination occurs. As
they are closed consider as invariable autogamous.
1
14. Option (A) is correct.
Explanation: Stop codons are also known as non-
sense codons or termination codons as they do
not code for an amino acid. If they are not present,
then protein synthesis will continue and result in
defective protein.1
2 Oswaal CBSE Sample Question Papers, BIOLOGY, Class-XII

15. Option (A) is correct. 20. (a) Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a Gram-negative,

rod shaped bacterium. ½
Explanation: Acquired immunity is pathogen
(b) The bacterium has the ability to transfer its Ti
specific immunity. It is learned and is not present
plasmid to the plant genome. A. tumefaciens is
at birth.1
exploited by many plant biologists in molecular
16. Option (A) is correct. and genetic studies to introduce DNA into
Explanation: The Indian Government has set up plants. 1
organisations such as GEAC (Genetic Engineering (c) Agrobacterium tumefaciens is the causative agent
Approval Committee), which will make decisions of crown gall, a disease of dicotyledonous
regarding the validity of GM research and the plants characterised by a tumorous phenotype.
safety of introducing GM organisms for public ½
services.1 21. A: Crustaceans.
B: Insects.
Section – B C: Mosses.
D: Fungi. ½×2
17. High levels of progesterone and estrogens during
OR
pregnancy suppress the gonadotropins, which
are required for the development of new follicles. (a) It is the variety within and between all species
Therefore, a new cycle cannot be initiated.2 of plants, animals and micro-organisms and
the ecosystems within which they live and
18. (a) The hnRNA undergoes processes called interact. 1
capping and tailing followed by splicing. (b) (i) Habitat loss and fragmentation.
(i) In capping, an unusual nucleotide is
(ii) Over-exploitation.
added to the 5’-end of hnRNA methyl
(iii) Alien species invasions.
guanosine triphosphate. ½
(iv) Co-extinctions. ¼×4
(ii) In tailing, adenylate residues (about 200–
300) are added at 3’-end in a template
independent manner. Now the hnRNA
undergoes a process where the introns
Section – C
are removed and exons are joined to form 22. (a) Anatropous ovule 1
mRNA called splicing.½ (b) Hilum 1
(c) Inner integument. 1
23. Labeled diagram of male reproductive system:

24.
(b) The process of translation will not happen,
thus the polypeptide synthesis is stopped/
hampered.
The reason for the above is:
• RNA polymerase I transcribes rRNAs
which is the cellular factory for protein
synthesis.
• RNA polymerase III helps in the
25.
transcription of tRNA which is the adaptor
molecule/ that transfers amino acids to the
site of protein synthesis.1
19. (a) This drug belongs to the Cannabinoids group.
 ½×2
(b) The cardiovascular system of the body will be
most affected by this drug.  1 of geological time. In other words, it is the
3
(a) Surgical methods / Sterilisation
(b) Males: Vasectomy, a small part of vas deferens
is removed or tied up through a small incision
on the scrotum.
Females: Tubectomy, a small part of the
fallopian tube is removed or tied up through
a small incision in the abdomen or through the
vagina. 1+1+1
(a) These organisms belong to Australia.1
(b) Adaptive radiation refers to the evolutionary
divergence of members of a single lineage
into a variety of different adaptive forms. The
adaptive forms usually differ in their use of
resources or habitats. The divergence in these
forms happens in a relatively short interval
 Solutions 3
tendency of a group of animals to evolve in (c) They exhibit adaptive radiation and evolved
response to selective pressures and adapt to into different varieties.1
their environments in different ways.1
26. The difference between primary immune response and secondary immune response are:
S. No. Primary immune response Secondary immune response
1. It refers to the immune response as a result of the It refers to the immune response as a result of
first encounter of an organism with an antigen. the second and subsequent encounters with the
same antigen.
2. It takes relatively longer for the immune system The response of the immune system is very rapid
to respond. due to the presence of memory cells that get into
action immediately.
3. The individual may suffer from the disease. Individuals may not suffer from the disease due
However, it results in the formation of memory to the heightened response.
cells that helps in secondary immune response.
 1+1+1
27. (a)
Palindrome

5'

3'
} GAAT T C

C T TAAG
3'

5'

(b)
EcoRI cuts the DNA between bases G and A only when the
sequence GAATTC is present in the DNA.
The enzyme cuts both DNA strands at the same site Foreign DNA
Vector DNA
G A A T T C G A A T T C
C T T A A G C T T A A G

EcoRI

Stick
G
C y End
C T T A A y end G
AAT T
Stick
DNA fragments join at sticky end

Recombinant DNA

(c) Enzymes that help in the formation of (ii) Medicines are produced from transgenic
recombinant DNA are restriction enzymes, animals, e.g., alpha-1-antitrypsin.
DNA ligases, DNA dependent DNA (iii) Transgenic animals are used to test
polymerase. 1+1+1 vaccines safely before use in humans.
OR (iv) Transgenic animals are designed to
(a) Mice. 1 increase our understanding of how genes
(b) Benefits of transgenic animals are: contribute to the development of diseases.
(i) Transgenic animals are produced to  ½×4
study how genes are regulated and how
28. Rivet popper hypothesis was given by ecologist
they affect the normal functions and
Paul Ehrlich for understanding the contribution of
development of the animal body.
species richness. He compared each species with a
rivet in the body of an airplane. The “rivet-popper”
4 Oswaal CBSE Sample Question Papers, BIOLOGY, Class-XII
hypothesis states that in the light of the uncertainty
both the degree of redundancy and the size of
future stresses in airplane wings and ecosystems.1
• This hypothesis explains that ecosystem to be
an airplane and the species to be the rivets
joining all parts together. 1 have dry up. Dry up pollen could not be
• If every passenger travelling in the airplane
starts taking rivets home (causing a species to
become extinct), initially it may not affect flight
safety (proper functioning of ecosystem), but
over a period of time the plane becomes weak
and dangerous (species become endangered
and then extinct. 1 germinate due to shorter pollen tube.
Section – D
29. (a) Two conventional methods are serum analysis
and urine analysis. ½×2
(b) (i) To detect HIV in suspected AIDS patients.
(ii) To detect mutations in genes in suspected
cancer patients.1+1
OR
(b) (i) Recombinant DNA technology.
(ii) Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
(iii) Enzyme Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay
(ELISA). (Any two) 1+1
(c) Accurate and definitive microorganism
identification, including bacterial identification
and pathogen detection, is essential for correct
disease diagnosis, treatment of infection and
trace-back of disease outbreaks associated with
microbial infections. 1 (c)
30. (a) Fungi and bacteria are the main decomposers
in our ecosystem. 1
(b) GFC: Grazing food chain 1 OR
(c) Detritus food chain may be connected with the
grazing food chain at some levels. Some of the
organisms of DFC are prey to the GFC animals.
 2
OR
(c) Earthworm and bacteria carry out the
following processes on detritus:
(i) Fragmentation: In this process,
detritivores such as earthworm breaks
down the detritus into smaller fragments.
(ii) Catabolism: In this, the smaller inorganic
compounds are produced from detritus
because of the enzymes secreted by
bacteria and fungi.
(iii) Mineralisation: In this, the humus is
acted upon by microbes like bacteria and
are converted into inorganic molecules.
 (Any two) 1+1
Section – E
31. (a) A seed is formed when an ovule is fuses with
a pollen grain which carry male gamete; i.e.,
one pollen is require for one seed. In the above
case it seems that not all the ovules fused with a
pollen grains to form seeds and only 180 ovules
were fertilised by pollen grains, so the reason
could be:
(i) Less number of pollen grains may have
landed on the stigma so less number of
male gametes to fertilise all the 240 were
unavailable
(ii) At the time of pollination pollen would
able to germinate on the stigma.
(iii) More temperature may have reduced the
stickiness of stigma. So, stigma would
have been pollinated with less effective
pollen grains.
(iv) Some pollen grains may have failed to
(b) The endosperm development is a result of triple
fusion. During triple fusion, one of the male
gamete fuses with the two polar nuclei of the
central cell and give rise to primary endosperm
cell (PEC). The primary endosperm cell divides
repeatedly and forms a triploid endosperm
tissue. The most common type of endosperm
development is free-nuclear, in which the PEN
undergoes successive nuclear divisions to give
rise to a number of free nuclei. The endosperm
thus formed is called free nuclear endosperm.
Subsequently cell formation occurs and the
endosperm becomes cellular.
The endosperm thus developed is required
to provide essential nutrients to the growing
embryo. Therefore endosperm development
occurs before the embryo development.
The perisperm is developed from the residual,
persistent nucellus in some seeds. It is found in
black pepper and beetroot. 5
(a) The role of zona pellucida is to prevent the
implantation of the blastocyst at an abnormal
site. It prevents the adhesion of the blastocyst
till it reaches the proper implantation site. It
helps in communication between oocytes and
follicle cells. It also protects embryo.2
(b) Fusion of sperm with ovum is known as
fertilisation. During fertilisation, the sperm
comes in contact with zona pellucida of the
ovum and causes alterations in the membrane
that blocks the entry of additional sperms. Entry
of the sperm into the cytoplasm of the ovum
induces the completion of meiotic division of the
secondary oocyte and results in the formation of
a second polar body and a haploid ovum.1
(c) Secretions of acrosome help the sperm to enter
into the cytoplasm of the ovum.1
(d) Fertilisation occurs in the ampullary isthmic
junction of fallopian tube.1
32 Streptococcus pneumoniae has virulent S (Smooth)
and non-virulent R (Rough) strain. S strain when
injected in mice causes pneumonia, causing death
of the organisms.
R strain does not cause death of mice.
Heat killed S strain do not cause death of mice.
Heat killed S and R causes death of mice.1
 Solutions 5
(a) Griffith used mice and Streptococcus pneumoniae OR
for his experiment. (a) (i) Tall × Dwarf
Streptococcus pneumoniae has two strains: Parent pea plant TT × tt
• Smooth (S) strain (virulent): It has a
polysaccharide mucus coats and can cause
pneumonia.
• Rough (R) strain (Non-virulent): It has no
mucous coat and therefore does not cause
pneumonia.
To test for the trait of pathogenicity,
Griffith injected mice with mixes of the
two strains:
(i) S-strain → Inject into mice → Mice die
(ii) R-strain → Inject into mice → Mice live  ½ × 3=1 ½
(iii) S-strain (Heat killed) → Inject into mice → (ii) In Humans–Inheritance of blood groups.
Mice live Parent: A-Blood group × B-Blood group.
(iv) S-strain (Heat killed) + R-strain (live) →
Inject into mice → Mice die
(ii), (iii) and (iv) are: Incorrectly represent
the experiment.
According to the question; (i) correctly
represents the experiment. 100% with blood group AB. ½×3=1 ½
(b) He concluded that some ’transforming (b) Law of Dominance states that factors that control
principle’, transferred from heat-killed S-strain characters occur in pairs and in dissimilar pair
to R-strain. It enabled R-strain to synthesize one factor dominates (expresses itself) whereas
a smooth polysaccharide coat and become the other recessive factor does not express in the
virulent. This must be due to the transfer of presence of the dominant one. 1
some genetic material. 2 Law of Segregation states that during gamete
(c) Oswald Avery, Colin Macleod and McCarty formation, the factors or alleles of a pair
worked to determine the biochemical nature segregate/ separate (from each other) and one
of the ‘transforming principle’ in Griffith’s
gamete receives only one of the factors. 1
experiment. They purified biochemical
(proteins, DNA, RNA etc.) from the heat-killed
S cells to see which ones could transform live R Commonly Made Errors
cells into S cells.
They discovered that: Many students fail to explain the law correctly.
(i) Digestion of protein and RNA (using They get confused with the three laws. Many
Proteases and RNases) did not affect
of them write all the three laws as they did not
transformation. So the transforming
understand the questions.
substance was not a protein or RNA.
(ii) Digestion of DNA with DNase inhibited
transformation. It means that DNA Answering Tip
caused a transformation of R cells to S cells
i.e., DNA was the transforming substance. Understand and state Mendel’s laws in simple
Therefore they concluded that DNA is the words, giving importance to operative words.
hereditary material.2
33. (a) (i) B
 ecause an addictive substance causes drug
dependence and affects nervous system
Commonly Made Errors / used in amounts or frequencies that
impairs ones physical and physiological
Students often get confused between ‘R strain’ or psychological functions.1
and ‘S strain’.
Also, they forget to mention ‘non-virulent’ and (ii) Diacetyl-morphine½
‘virulent’.
Papaver somniferum / poppy plant / opium
Many students forget to write the conclusion of poppy. ½
the experiment.
(iii) They can acquire serious infections i.e.,
transmission of HIV infections or AIDS or
Answering Tip Hepatitis.1

Discuss specific steps in detail and correlate
each step with the previous step and the next
step.
(b) Adolescents are easily affected by (Vulnerable
to) peer pressure, adventure, curiosity,
excitement, experimentation and media. (Any
two) ½+½
6 Oswaal CBSE Sample Question Papers, BIOLOGY, Class-XII
(c) Withdrawal syndrome.
OR
Life cycle of plasmodium is as follows:
1. The malaria infection starts when an infected
female anopheles mosquito bites a healthy
human. Thus, injects the plasmodium parasites
into the bloodstream in the form of sporozoites.
2. The sporozoites travel quickly into the human
liver with the help of bloodstream and there
they asexually divides into the liver cells for
7 to 10 days. In this period no symptoms are
observed in the human body.
3. After the multiplication, the sporozoites
are converted into merozoites and they are
released from the liver cells in the vesicles. They
travel through the heart and arrive in the lungs
where they settle down in the lung capillaries.
4. The disintegration of the vesicles allows
merozoites to enter the blood phase of their
development.
5. The Merozoites enters the red blood cells in
the bloodstream and there they multiply until
the cell burst. Then they start to enter in more
1 blood cells. These repeated cycles of parasites
cause fever each time when the parasites break
the red blood cells and then invade other blood
cells.
6. Some blood cells which are infected leave the
asexual multiplication cycle and instead of
replicating. Merozoites develop into the sexual
form of the parasite known as gametocytes.
7. When again the mosquito bites an infected
person the gametocyte enter into the mosquito
body, where they further develop into mature
sex cells called gametes.
8. The female gametes develop into ookinetes
and remain in the midgut wall of the mosquito.
There they form oocyst on the exterior surface.
9. Indie the oocyst, many active sporozoites are
present. When the oocyst breaks down, a large
number of sporozoites are released into the
body cavity and they travel to the mosquito
salivary gland.
10. This led to the cycle of human infection starts
again when the mosquito bites another person.
11. Hence, the primary host is the mosquito and
the secondary host is the human. 5
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