Sample Question Paper 14
(Det ailed Explanat ions)
Biology
CBSE Class 12th
1. (c) Saheli is a non-steroidal, once a week contraceptive
pill. It has high contraceptive value with few side effects.
It acts by inhibiting oestrogen activity, thus inhibiting the
process of ovulation and implantation. [1]
2. (d) HIV that causes Acquired Immuno Deficiency
Syndrome (AIDS) in a person reduces the number of
helper-T (TH ) cells, which are responsible for the
development of immunity in human body. [1]
3. (a) Testicular sperm extraction involve collection of
sperm from epididymis or testis.
IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) involves external fertilisation
followed by embryo transplant in womb. [1]
4. (a) 8-nucleated, 7-celled [1]
5. (c) According to the case given in question, initially due
to ample supply of nutrients, the rate of growth of
decomposers is exponential. But at later stages, the
population reaches nears its carrying capacity, due to
depletion in the nutrients, thus the growth rate decline.
This forms a S-shaped growth curve which represents
the logistic growth of an organism. [1]
6. (d) The secondary host of Plasmodium is man. [1]
7. (a) Some plants need help of animals for pollinating
their flowers and also for the dispersal of their seeds. In
the interaction shown in question both the partners, i.e.
the plant and animals are beneficial for each other.
Thus, represents a mutualistic association. [1]
8. (a) In blue-white screening, the recombinant or
transformed cells are differentiated from others on the
basis of their ability to produce colour in the presence
of a chromogenic substrate. In transformed cells, the
presence of foreign gene insert, inactivates lac z gene,
due to which colourless or white colonies are formed.
[1]
9. (c) Wind pollination requires the light and non-sticky
pollen grains, so that they can be transported in wind
currents.
Wind pollinated flowers often possess well-exposed
stamens (so, that the pollens are easily dispersed into
wind currents) and large often-feathery stigma to easily
trap air-borne pollen granis. [1]
10. (d) Sexual reproduction and the type of pollination is
self-pollination. [1]
11. (c) g-diversity represents the regional diversity, i.e. it is
the diversity that represents the total number of species
(or species richness) in all the habitats within a
geographical region. [1]
12. (d) This is a spindle-shaped pyramid, wherein a single
large-sized tree (producer) provides food to the large
number of herbivore (consumers), which supports a
small number of carnivores that are inturn eaten by the
top carnivores. [1]
13. (a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is
the correct explanation of Assertion.
Apomixis is a special mode of asexual reproduction
that mimics sexual reproduction. It occurs in some
plants which results in the formation of seeds without
gametic fusion (or fertilisation), e.g. in some species of
Asteraceae. [1]
14. (a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is
the correct explanation of Assertion.
A population at its carrying capacity does not have
enough limiting resources to go around and any
individual utilising new resources will experience less
competition. Use of new resources will increase
through generations and niche will become larger. [1]
15. (a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is
the correct explanation of Assertion.
pBR322 has recognition sites for several commonly
used restriction enzymes. The recognition site for
BamHI is present in tet R region (i.e. responsible for
tetracycline resistance). When an insert is added at the
 Stage III Excellence Level
2
BamHI recognition site, the gene for tetracycline
resistance becomes non-functional and the
recombinant bacteria with plasmid pBR322 that has
DNA insert at BamHI loses tetracycline resistance. [1]
16. (b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is
not the correct explanation of Assertion. Premitive earth
was devoid of oxygen and hence only those organisms
which were able to survive in anaerobic condition
developed. All those organisms were heterotropic.
Later, after autotrophic organisms developed which
used inorganic source such as H 2S, NH 3,CH 4 as
source of energy. These organisms were called
chemoautotrophs. [1]
17. Colour blindness is a sex-linked recessive disease
which shows criss cross pattern of inheritance, thus the
disease is passed on to daughter from her father and
from mother to son. Now, here the women’s father is
affected therefore the women will be the carrier.
Similarly, the man’s father is also affected, but he will
remain unaffected. Thus, their offspring will show the
following genotype
(Normal X c X (Carrier
Y × X
father) mother)
XcX XcY XX XY
(Carrier (Colourblind (Normal (Normal
daughter) son) daughter) son)
The possibility of a colourblind daughter in
F 1-generation is 0%.
18. (i) In the flowchart given X–Ovary and Y–Uterus.
Given flowchart represents the hormonal control of
oogenesis, i.e. the process of formation of female
gametes. [1]
(ii) The hormone Z is the gonadotropin releasing
hormone. The function of GnRH is to stimulate the
anterior lobe of pituitary to secrete the hormones
called LH and FSH. [1]
19. Karyotype is an image of individual’s complete set of
chromosomes.
The given karyotype shows presence of an additional
copy of the chromosome number 21, i.e. trisomy of 21.
Thus, the child is suffering from Down’s syndrome. The
affected individuals are usually short statured with
small round head furrowed tongue and partially open
mouth. Physical, psychomotor and mental
development is also retared. [2]
20. (i) P in the above vector determines the ori sequence
from where the replication begins. So, if this is found
missing, the vector DNA would not be able to link
with the foreign DNA and replicate. Thus, a
recombinant molecule will not be formed.
(ii) Q and R are the selectable marker genes which
helps in the identification and selection of
transformed cells. They selectively permit the growth
of the transformed cells on the media. In their
Biology Class 12
absence, we will not be able to identify which host
cell carrying the foreign gene segment. [1]
21. Grass ¾® Deer ¾® Wolf ¾® Tiger
(1) (2) (3) (4)
80,000 J — 8,000 kJ 800 kJ 80 kJ [1]
A food chain cannot be longer than 4-5 trophic levels
because only 10% energy gets passed on to next
trophic level. Thus, very less energy and biomass
remains on reaching 4-5th trophic levels, which cannot
support any further levels. [1]
Common Mistake
Usually students find it difficult to apply the concept
of 10% law mathematically. They should understand
the concept and be accurate in the calculation part.
Or (i) Pyramid of number
Insects (1000)
Birds (100)
Trees (1)
The pyramid of number will be inverted because
the number of insects is maximum, whereas the
number of birds and tree is very less. [1]
(ii)
Insects (Secondary Consumer)
Birds (Primary Consumer)
Trees (Producer)
[1]
[2]
Common Mistake
Students usually get confused in between pyramid
of number and biomass. Pyramid of number
represent the total number of organism in an
ecosystem, whereas pyramid of biomass represents
total weight.
22. (i) The diagram shown in question is the flowering
branch of Datura.
(ii) Many secondary metabolites obtained from plants
are used for their medicinal properties, e.g. opiates
derived from poppy plant are used as drugs to
relieve pain. The problem starts when these
metabolites are misused for having pleasure and are
taken in doses above the prescribed limit, e.g.
opium addict loses weight, fertility and interest in
work. [3]
23. Microbes can be used to decrease the use of chemical
fertilisers and pesticides as
(i) Microbes play an important role in organic farming,
which reduce the use of chemical fertilisers and
pesticides, etc.
(ii) They act as biofertilisers which help in increasing the
[1]
fertility of the soil. They also help in improving plant
growth by supplying plant nutrients. Many species of
bacteria and cyanobacteria help in fixing the
nitrogen in the soil.
 Sample Paper 14 Stage III Excellence Level
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(iii) Many biological agents like ladybird and Bacillus (iii) Agrobacterium vectors are used to introduce
thuringiensis, etc. are useful in eradicating pests. specific genes into the host plant. [1]
[3] Or
In order to obtain maximum marks, (i) (a) Apart from temperature, pH and substrate, a
students should include relevant bioreaction provides oxygen, salts and
Value Points examples in their answer to add vitamins also. [1]
accuracy of points. (b) Components of a bioreactor included the
following
24. (i) Archaeopteryx is a connecting link between reptiles l an agitator system
and birds. This can be verified by studying its l an oxygen delivery system
features which are similar to both these groups of l foam control system
organisms.
l temperature control system
Reptilian characters of Archaeopteryx l pH control system
(a) Non-pneumatic bones. l sampling parts to withdraw the culture. [1]
(b) Jaws with homodont teeth.
(ii) In a continuous culture system, the used medium is
(c) Long, lizard-like tail along with body scales. drained cut from one side and fresh medium is
Avian characters of Archaeopteryx added from the either side to maintain the cells in
(a) Feathers and beak are present. their physiologically active state. [1]
(b) Forelimbs modified as wings. [2]
28. The three important reasons for some species to be at a
(ii) The fossil which was found in more deeper greater risk of extinction are given below
sedimentary layers is older. [1]
(i) Large body size which makes the organisms feeding
25. (i) The polarity of X – X¢is 5¢– 3¢, whereas the polarity of for food, space, etc.
Y – Y ¢ is 3¢ – 5¢. (ii) Low genetic variability which makes the organism
During the S-phase of interphase the DNA will show more vulnerable to diseases and unable to
replication. [2] withstand environmental changes.
(ii) DNA gyrase or topoisomerase (Q). The other (iii) Narrow range of geographical distribution or
protein/enzyme (P) is helicase, which unwinds the endemism. [3]
double helix. [1] 29. (i) This pedigree chart represents the inheritance of a
26. Cross-pollination is done to mix two desired characters sex-linked disease, e.g. haemophilia. [1]
of two different species of a plant. For example, purple Or
and white flower of a pea. (i) The female who is homozygous for the respective
(i) Select two pea plants one with white and other with trait will not be able to survive, because this condition
purple flower. is lethal for females. [1]
(ii) Label them as male (white flowered) and female (ii) (a) The genotype of the offspring can be derived as
(purple flowered) plant. Parents X X × Xh Y
(iii) Cut anthers from purple flower with the help of (Mother) (Father)
scissors before their dehiscence to avoid
self-pollination and cover it with white paper bag. X X × Xh Y
(iv) Now, collect pollens from the white flower (male Gametes
plant) with the help of brush.
(v) Dust the pollens on the stigma of female (purple
flower) flower. Offspring XXh XY XXh XY
(vi) Cover it again with paper bag till seed formation. genotype
Hermaphrodites or bisexual flowers develop The genotypes will be XXh , XY XXh , XY [1]
outbreeding devices to ensure cross-pollination and
avoid self-pollination. [3] (b)
Parents Xh X Xh Y
27. (i) The nematode which affect the crops of field ‘A’ is (Mother (Father
Meloidegyne incognitia. [1] carrier) affected)
(ii) The crops of field ‘B’ remain unaffected because the Gametes Y
genes of these plants were manipulated. Here, a Xh X Xh
new strategy was adapted based on the procces of
RNA interference. This method involves silencing of
a specific mRNA due to a complementary dsRNA
molecule that binds to and prevents translation of Offsprings Xh Xh Xh Y XXh XY
the mRNA. [1]
 Stage III Excellence Level Biology Class 12
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The genotype will be Xh Xh (affected female), X h Y Mendel selected pea plant as his experimental material
(affected male), XXh (carrier female) and XY due to the following reason
(unaffected male). [1] (i) Peas are self-pollinated and can be cross-pollinated
(iii) If a carrier woman and normal man are married, half also.
of their sons will be haemophilic and half of their (ii) Pea plants are readily available on large scale and
daughters will be carrier. has bisexual flowers.
XXh × XY Parents (iii) Peas are annual plants with short life cycle.
(iv) Pea plants have many easily detectable contrasting
X Xh X Y Gametes characters. [5]
Or
The technique given in the question which helps in
solving paternity disputes is called DNA fingerprinting.
XX XY XXh XhY Offspring
Procedure of DNA Fingerprinting
Normal Carrier Affected (i) Extraction DNA is extracted from cells by using
daughter and son daughter son [1] high-speed, refrigerated centrifuge.
30. (i) People smoking less than 5 cigarettes a day will live (ii) Amplification Several copies of extracted DNA
longer than those who smoke more. [1] containing Variable Number Tandem Repeats
(VNTRs) are made by Polymerase Chain Reaction
(ii) Tobacco contains carbon monoxide which binds
(PCR).
irreversible with haemoglobin. This decreases the
oxygen supply to body parts creatingO 2 deficiency. (iii) Restriction Digestion DNA is cut into fragments
[1] with restriction enzymes into precise reproducible
(iii) As nicotine is addictive, so it creates urges for sequences.
smoking at all times of the day. [2] (iv) Separation of DNA Sequences Cut DNA
Or fragments are introduced and passed through
electrophoresis set-up containing agarose polymer
(iii) A person addicted to alcohol shows reckless
gel.
behaviours, vandalism and voilence.
(v) Southern Blotting Separated DNA sequences are
Alcohol affect the CNS and liver of human body, thus
transferred on to a nitrocellulose or nylon membrane
alcoholic person experiences hallucination and
sheet placed over gel.
continuous uptake of alcohol can lead to liver
damage and haemorrhage. Some warning signs of (vi) Radioactive DNA probes with base sequences
alcohol abuse include isolation, depression, fatigue, complementary to the possible VNTRs are
aggressive and rebellious behaviour, loss of interest introduced/poured over the membrane.
in hobbies and changing sleeping habits, etc. [2] (vii) VNTR form the basis of DNA fingerprinting. The
repeats of it show high degree of polymorphism.
31. Characters Contrasting traits (viii) After hybridisation with the radiolabelled VNTR
Dominant Recessive probe and autoradiography, bands of various sizes
are formed.
Stem height Tall Dwarf
(ix) Bands form a characteristic pattern, which varies
Flower colour Violet White from person to person. [5]
Flower position Axial Terminal
32. (i) Two characteristics are
Pod shape Full Constricted (a) Cost Efficiency They are low cost weapons.
Pod colour Green Yellow (b) Large Scale Casualities These weapons can
Seed shape Round Wrinkled cause more damage than conventional
methods of terrorism. [1]
Seed colour Yellow Green
 Sample Paper 14 Stage III Excellence Level
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(ii) In bioweapons industry, technique of genetic engineering is utilised to manipulate, i.e. enhance the natural pathogenicity
of organisms or toxins.
At first, the genetic material of interest is isolated from the subject organisms.
l Desired fragments of DNA are isolated.
l The DNA is fragmented by restriction enzymes.
l Amplification is done using PCR.
l Ligation of DNA fragments into vector transfer of rDNA into host.
l Culturing on large scale, extraction and final processing of the product. [2]
(iii) Genetic modification is unethical. Such manipulations of living beings can have unpredictable effects on other living
beings and also on the environment.
(a) The modified genes can enter the natural forms and cause them to die.
(b) Appearance of new and unexplained mutations. [2]
Or (i) The plasmid is cut with a restriction enzyme that makes cut in dsDNA at two different sites. Few nucleotides away from
each other. This creates strands with protruding ends called sticky ends.
They can associate with gene insert, by forming hydrogen bond among complementary base pairs. [1]
(ii) At stage B, the host bacterial cell is treated with a solution containing calcium ions at 0°C; followed by a heat shock
(raising temperature to 40°C). This treatment creates transient pores in bacterial cell membrane which allows them to
take up the foreign DNA present in their surroundings. This process is done to facilitate gene transfer by making the
recipient host cell competent. [2]
(iii) Plasmids contain selectable marker genes. Usually the genes encoding resistance to antibiotics, e.g. ampicillin,
tetracycline, etc., are used as selectable markers. The selectable marker site would be disrupted by the insertion of
the foreign gene. The bacterial cell with recombinant plasmids would be unable to grow in the particular antibiotic
medium that corresponded with original resistance, e.g. if gene is inserted in tet region, tetracycline ‘sensitivity would
become inactivated and the recombinant cells would be able to grow in presence of tetracycline, i.e. become tet R.[2]
33. Differences between male gamete (sperm) and female gamete (ovum) of human beings are given below
Male gamete (Sperm) Female gamete (Ovum)
Male gametes (sperms) are produced inside the testes. Female gametes (ova) are produced inside the ovary.
Millions of sperms are produced per day. Only one ovum is produced every 28 days.
Sperms are motile in nature. Ovum is non-motile in nature.
The smallest cell in the human body. The largest cell in the human body.
Reserve food material is less. Reserve food material is sufficient.
A sperm is differentiated into four parts, i.e. head, neck, middle Ovum is not externally differentiated into parts.
piece and tail.
Plasma membrane
Acrosome
Nucleus containing Cell of corona radiata
Head
chromosomal material Zona pellucida
Neck Perivitelline space
Middle piece Plasma membrane
Mitochondria Nucleus
(energy source for swimming)
Tail Cytoplasm

Structure of ovum

Structure of sperm
[5]
 Stage III Excellence Level Biology Class 12
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Or Artificial hybridisation is carried out to ensure that the Bag opened, pollen grains dusted on the stigma.
seeds are formed from the desired set of pollen grains. ¯
This is done by emasculation and bagging. Bag replaced immediately.
The flowchart below shows the steps involved in it. ¯
In emasculation, the stamens are removed in bud Artificial pollination takes place. [3]
condition from a bisexual flower.
¯
Importance of such experiments are
Female flower is obtained.
(a) Creation of new genetic recombination with better
¯ qualities.
Emasculated flower is enclosed in a bag made up (b) Incorporation of a large number of desirable
of butter paper or plastic (Bagging). characters into a single variety. [2]
¯
In order to obtain maximum marks,
Mature and viable pollen grains are collected from
students should proceed writing the
male plant. Value Points answer in proper sequence and
¯ should not miss any step.