Question 1

Nature of photosynthesis: Which description best characterizes photosynthesis? Consider energy flow and metabolic type; mention redox as context. Choose the correct statement.

Accepted Answer

Concept / Approach Photosynthesis uses light energy (endergonic) to reduce CO2 to sugars, building complex molecules (anabolism) while oxidizing water and releasing O2. Contrast Respiration is catabolic/exergonic; fermentation is anaerobic metabolism, not photosynthesis. Final Answer An anabolic, endergonic, chloroplast-based process.

Question 2

Definition of radioactivity: Radioactivity is the spontaneous emission of which radiations from unstable nuclei? State the complete set commonly observed. Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Concept / Approach Radioactivity involves the spontaneous emission of α (helium nuclei), β (electrons/positrons), and γ (high-energy photons) from unstable atomic nuclei. Final Answer α, β, and γ radiations.

Question 3

Blood clotting factors: Prothrombin, essential for coagulation, is released/produced by which organ? Consider the site of plasma protein synthesis and vitamin K–dependent factors. Choose the correct organ.

Accepted Answer

Given data Asked: source of prothrombin. Concept / Approach Liver synthesizes most plasma proteins, including prothrombin (Factor II), a vitamin K–dependent clotting factor. Clarification Platelets provide platelet factors but do not synthesize prothrombin; bone marrow makes blood cells, not this plasma protein. Final Answer Liver.

Question 4

Comparative anatomy — snake venom glands: The poison glands of snakes are homologous to which glands in other vertebrates? Identify the correct homologous structure. Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Concept / Approach Snake venom glands are modified salivary glands; they share developmental origin and ductal connection to the fangs for venom delivery. Elimination Lachrymal (tear), sebaceous (oil), and adrenal (endocrine) glands are not homologous to venom glands. Final Answer Salivary glands.

Question 5

Plant ecology terminology: Identify the term for plants that grow under average (moderate) temperature and moisture conditions.  Full question: Plants that thrive in neither arid nor aquatic habitats—i.e., typical, moderate environments—are called w…

Accepted Answer

Given data Habitat: average temperature and moisture (neither very dry nor aquatic nor saline). Concept Mesophytes are plants adapted to moderate water availability and typical terrestrial climates (e.g., many crop plants and trees). Xerophytes are desert/dry-adapted, hydrophytes are aquatic, and halophytes are salt-tolerant. Common pitfalls Confusing general land plants with mesophytes; the term specifically excludes extreme moisture or salinity conditions. Final Answer Mesophytes.

Question 6

Plant morphology: Determine which organ the edible potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a modified outgrowth of.  Full question: Potato is a modified form (outgrowth) of which plant organ? Identify the precise botanical classification.  Choose the correct …

Accepted Answer

Given data Object: Potato tuber. Concept / Identification The potato is a stem tuber (underground stem) characterized by nodes and axillary buds (eyes). These features confirm stem origin rather than root (which lacks nodes and axillary buds). Why others are incorrect Storage roots (e.g., carrot, beet) are anatomically different; leaves and fruits have distinct tissues; rhizoids occur in non-vascular plants. Final Answer Stem (an underground stem tuber).

Question 7

Human physiology (transport of gases): Name the protein that carries oxygen in the blood.  Full question: Oxygen in our blood is primarily transported bound to which protein molecule?  Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Concept Hemoglobin, a heme-containing tetramer in red blood cells, reversibly binds O2 in the lungs and releases it in tissues. Myoglobin stores O2 in muscle but is not the main blood transporter; albumin and fibrinogen serve other roles. Key relation Hb + O2 ⇌ HbO2 (oxyhemoglobin) Final Answer Hemoglobin.

Question 8

Medical microbiology: Match the pathogen to the disease—Vibrio ‘‘comma’’ bacillus causes which illness?  Context: Mycobacterium leprae → leprosy; Corynebacterium diphtheriae → diphtheria.  Choose the correct disease caused by Vibrio comma (Vibrio ch…

Accepted Answer

Given associations Mycobacterium leprae → leprosy. Corynebacterium diphtheriae → diphtheria. ‘‘Vibrio comma’’ (Vibrio cholerae) → ? Concept The comma-shaped bacterium Vibrio cholerae causes cholera, an acute watery diarrheal disease due to cholera toxin acting on intestinal epithelial cells. Final Answer Cholera.

Question 9

Ichthyology (fish buoyancy): Identify the anatomical feature that prevents most bony fishes from sinking.  Full question: Most fish do not sink in water primarily because of which internal structure?  Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Concept Most bony fishes (teleosts) possess a swim bladder—a gas-filled sac that regulates buoyancy via gas secretion/resorption. Cartilaginous fishes (e.g., sharks) lack a swim bladder and partly offset density with large oil-rich livers. Why others are incorrect Bird-like air sacs are absent; spongy bone air does not control buoyancy; fatty liver is species-specific and not the general teleost mechanism; stomach inflation is not a controlled buoyancy organ. Final Answer Swim bladder (air bladder).

Question 10

Plant ecology: Classify plants that develop under dry (arid) environmental conditions.  Full question: Plants adapted to and developing in dry conditions are referred to by which term?  Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Concept Xerophytes (e.g., cacti, some succulents) are adapted to water scarcity via features like thick cuticles, reduced leaves, CAM photosynthesis, and deep or widespread roots. Contrast Mesophytes → moderate moisture; hydrophytes → aquatic; halophytes → saline; psammophytes → sandy soils. Final Answer Xerophytes.

Question 11

Habitat terminology: Name the plants that characteristically grow on sandy soils/substrates.  Full question: Plants growing on sand (e.g., dunes and sandy shores) are called what?  Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Concept & examples Psammophytes are sand-loving plants adapted to unstable, nutrient-poor, and often droughty substrates (e.g., dune grasses). Lithophytes grow on rocks; epiphytes on other plants; halophytes tolerate salt; xerophytes are dry-adapted in general (not necessarily sandy). Final Answer Psammophytes.

Question 12

Human genetics: State the total chromosome number found in individuals with Down's syndrome (Trisomy 21).  Full question: Number of chromosomes present in Down's syndrome is what?  Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Concept / Cause Down's syndrome is typically due to trisomy 21 (an extra copy of chromosome 21), yielding a total of 47 chromosomes (karyotype 47,+21). Common pitfalls Confusing total count (47) with pair count (23 pairs + 1 extra chromosome 21). Final Answer 47.

Question 13

Plant physiology (light quality): Identify the color of light in which photosynthesis proceeds the fastest.  Full question: Photosynthesis generally occurs faster under which light color (considering chlorophyll absorption peaks)?  Choose the correc…

Accepted Answer

Concept Chlorophyll a and b absorb most strongly in the blue (~430–470 nm) and red (~640–680 nm) regions. Relative to green (poorly absorbed/mostly reflected), photosynthesis is markedly faster in red (and blue). Many general-biology items key on red light as yielding a high rate. Notes While both red and blue drive high rates, red is commonly identified as the fastest environment compared to green/yellow. Final Answer Red light.

Question 14

Reproductive anatomy (mammals): Identify what tissues form the placenta.  Full question: Placenta is the structure formed by the apposition/integration of foetal and maternal tissues—specifically, which combination?  Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Assumption and clarification The original prompt reads ‘‘Placenta is the structure formed’’ (missing ‘‘by’’). Interpreting the intended question as ‘‘Placenta is the structure formed by what?’’ Concept In eutherian mammals, the placenta develops from foetal chorionic villi and the maternal endometrium (specifically the decidua basalis). It mediates nutrient, gas, and waste exchange between mother and foetus. Why others are incorrect Amnion/allantois and yolk sac are extraembryonic membranes with supporting roles; the umbilical cord connects foetus to the placenta but does not form it; direct mixing of foetal liver with maternal blood does not occur. Final Answer Chorionic villi of the foetus and the maternal uterine endometrium (decidua basalis).

Question 15

Human evolution and paleoanthropology: Ramapithecus and Cro-Magnon man are classified as extinct hominins (prehistoric human ancestors/fossil humans). Context: Ramapithecus is a Miocene ape-like ancestor; Cro-Magnon refers to early modern Homo sapie…

Accepted Answer

Given data Two examples: Ramapithecus and Cro-Magnon man. Asked: their broad classification in human evolution. Concept / Approach Ramapithecus is a Miocene fossil ape long discussed in hominin origin studies; Cro-Magnon designates early anatomically modern Homo sapiens from the Upper Paleolithic of Europe. Both are treated in paleoanthropology as fossil hominins/human ancestors. Elimination They are not living primates, domesticated animals, or non-primates. Final Answer Extinct hominins (prehistoric human ancestors/fossil humans).

Question 16

Cell transport mechanisms: Movement of a cell or solute against its concentration gradient is called what? Context: Transport occurs from lower to higher concentration and requires metabolic energy (ATP). Choose the correct term.

Accepted Answer

Given data Direction: against the concentration gradient (low → high concentration). Concept / Approach Transport uphill requires energy input (often ATP hydrolysis) mediated by pumps/carriers (e.g., Na+/K+-ATPase). This is termed active transport. Contrast Diffusion/osmosis/facilitated diffusion are passive; they move down gradients and do not require cellular energy. Final Answer Active transport.

Question 17

Comparative cell structure: Plants possess which structural feature that animals lack? Context: Consider the outer covering beyond the plasma membrane in plant cells. Choose the correct structure.

Accepted Answer

Concept / Approach Plant cells have a cell wall (primarily cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin) outside the plasma membrane, providing rigidity and shape. Typical animal cells lack a cell wall. Why others are incorrect Mitochondria and lysosomes occur in animals; centrosomes with centrioles are characteristic of many animal cells, not plant cells. Final Answer A rigid cell wall is present in plants and absent in animals.

Question 18

Gymnosperm dominance: Pine, fir, spruce, cedar, larch, and cypress are famous timber-yielding plants (many occur in Indian hills). To which major plant group do all of these belong? Choose the correct group.

Accepted Answer

Concept / Approach The listed genera (pine, fir, spruce, cedar, larch, cypress) are conifers, which are gymnosperms bearing naked seeds on cones, often forming large timber trees in temperate and montane regions. Final Answer Gymnosperms (conifers/Coniferales).

Question 19

Foundations of genetics: On which plant did Gregor Mendel perform his classical inheritance experiments? Context: Choice of species enabled controlled crosses and clear contrasting traits. Choose the correct species.

Accepted Answer

Given data Mendel's classic crosses involved a garden plant with clear traits. Approach Pisum sativum (garden pea) offered short generation time, many seeds, controlled selfing/outcrossing, and distinct contrasting traits (e.g., seed shape, flower color), making it ideal. Final Answer Pisum sativum (garden pea).

Question 20

Human tissues: Which tissue type is the most abundant and widely distributed in the human body? Context: Consider support, binding, storage, and transport functions across organs. Choose the correct tissue.

Accepted Answer

Concept / Approach Connective tissue (e.g., areolar, adipose, bone, cartilage, blood) is the most abundant and widely distributed, providing support, binding, storage, defense, and transport. Contrast Epithelial covers/lines; muscle produces movement; nervous conducts impulses—none are as broadly distributed as connective tissue. Final Answer Connective tissue.

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