BIOLOGY

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ISC Specimen Question Paper
32
BIOLOGY
Paper 1
(THEORY)
(Botany and Zoology)
(Three hours)
(Candidates are allowed additional 15 minutes for only reading the paper.
They must NOT start writing during this time)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Answer all questions in Part I and five questions in Part II, choosing three questions
from Section A and two questions from Section B.
All working including rough work, should be done on the same sheet as,
and adjacent to, the rest of the answer.
The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [ ].
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART I
Answer all questions
Question 1
(a) Mention one significant difference between each of the following: [5]
(i) Vaccination and Sterilization.
(ii) Renin and Rennin.
(iii) Aeroponics and Hydroponics.
(iv) Yellow Spot and Blind Spot.
(v) Collenchyma and Sclerenchyma
(b) Give reasons for the following: [5]
(i) Nerve impulses on a neuron travel only in one direction.
(ii) Erythrocytes perform anaerobic respiration only.
(iii) Endosperm in Castor seed is triploid.
(iv) Man can live without food for several days but cannot live without oxygen for even a few
minutes.
(v) Transpiration is a necessary evil.


(c) Give scientific terms for the following: [3]
(i) Removal of pituitary gland.
(ii) The kind of conduction of nerve impulse along a myelinated nerve fibre.
(iii) Morphological or physiological changes in an organism either due to genetic or
environmental reasons.
(iv) Stiffening of muscles after death.
(v) Failure of seed to germinate even in the presence of necessary favourable
environmental conditions.
(vi) Surgical removal of part of an oviduct.
(d) Mention the most significant function/role of the following: [3]
(i) Heparin.
(ii) Pons varoli.
(iii) Leydig cells.
(iv) Nostoc.
(v) Leghaemoglobin.
(vi) Mast cells.
(e) State the best-known contribution of the following Scientists: [2]
(i) Julius Sach.
(ii) Robert Hill.
(iii) Ronald Ross.
(iv) Blackman.
(f) Elaborate the following: [2]
(i) NMEP
(ii) BCG
(iii) NMR
(iv) SCID
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ISC Specimen Question Paper
34
PART II
SECTION A
Answer any three questions.
Question 2
(a) Describe the Histogen theory. [4]
(b) Describe the development of the male gametophyte in angiosperms. [4]
(c) What are fleshy fruits ? Explain with the help of an example. [2]
Question 3
(a) Discuss the major events in Calvin cycle. [4]
(b) Describe the carbonic acid exchange theory for absorption of mineral salts in plants. [3]
(c) Give the differences between photoperiodism and vernalisation. [3]
Question 4
(a) Draw a neat and fully labelled diagram of the Vertical Section of the human eye. [4]
(b) Describe the ABO system of blood groups. [4]
(c) Give four differences between Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous System. [2]
Question 5
(a) Describe the events that take place during the ovulatory and secretory phase of
menstrual cycle.
[4]
(b) Explain the cause and symptoms of following:
(i) Uremia.
(ii) Jaundice.
(iii) Gout.
[3]
(c) Name the 10th, 11th and 12th cranial nerves and write their functions. [3]


Question 6
(a) Before the proteins can enter the blood stream, they need to be processed.
Describe the treatment received by protiens in the alimentary canal.
[4]
(b) Explain the stomatal movements based on K+ ion transport mechanism. [4]
(c) Define regeneration. Explain reparative regeneration. [2]
SECTION B
Answer any two questions
Question 7
(a) Give an account of the Oparin – Haldane theory of Origin of life. [4]
(b) How can one justify that Cromagnon man could have been the direct ancestor of
man of today?
[4]
(c) Write two disadvantages of using pesticides. [2]
Question 8
(a) Write two uses of each of the following:
(i) Azadirchta.
(ii) Cinchona calisaya.
(iii) Ocimum sanctum.
(iv) Withana somnifere.
[4]
(b) Explain Integrated Pest Management. [4]
(c) What is ultrasound imaging. Give one use of ultrasound imaging. [2]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ISC Specimen Question Paper
36
Question 9
(a) Write a short note on AIDS, its transmission and control measures. [4]
(b) What are stem cells? Why have stem cells become so important these days? [3]
(c) Explain three causes of mental illness. [3]
Question 10
(a) What are the general activities of community health services? [4]
(b) What are the reasons for drug addiction. [4]
(c) Write one symptom each of -
(i) Down syndrome.
(ii) Filariasis.
[2]







BIOLOGY
Paper - 2
(Practical)
(Three hours)
(Candidates are allowed additional 15 minutes for only reading the paper.
They must NOT start writing during this time)
--------------------------------------------------------------
Answer all questions.
All working including rough work, should be done on the same sheet as the rest of the answer.
The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets[ ].
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Question 1 [5]
(a) Cut the floral head (capitulum) of specimen D-41 into two equal (longitudinal)
halves. From one of the halves isolate one outer flower (ray floret) and one central
or inner flower (disc floret). Put these florets on a wet filter paper. Examine the two
florets carefully with the hand lens and describe the general floral characters of
each in botanical terms.
(b) Make large drawings of the ray floret and also the disc floret. Label the parts.
(c) Split open the corolla tube of a disc floret with a fine needle and spread the corolla
to expose the androecium and the upper part of the gynoecium. Study with a hand
lens the structure and position of stamens in relation to the style, stigma and petals.
Make a neat labeled drawing of the parts found above the ovary.
(d) Draw the floral diagram of each floret.
(e) Write the floral formula of each floret.
(f) To which family does D-41 belong ?
(g) Name three floral characteristic of the specimen which places it the family
mentioned in (f).
(h) Write the botanical names of two plants belonging to the said family.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ISC Specimen Question Paper
38
Question 2 [6]
(a) Measure and pour 50 ml of solutions S1, S2 and S3 into three petri dishes provided for
the experiment, and label them accordingly.
(b) Cut 3 strips of a peeled potato measuring approximately 10 cms × 0.5 cm × 0.5 cm.
(c) Place the strips on a moist filter paper to prevent drying. Measure and record the exact
length of each strip and fully immerse one in each of the three solutions S1, S2 and S3.
Cover the petri dishes and leave them as such for 30 minutes. Show the three petri
dishes to the visiting examiner.
(d) After 30 minutes, remove the strips from the three solutions and dry them on a filter
paper.
Measure and record their lengths fully in a tabulated form.
(e) Mention any other change that might have taken place in each strip.
(f) Explain these changes (if any).
(g) From your observations, suggest the nature of solutions S1, S2 and S3.
(h) State situations found in the body of an animal and a plant which are similar to those
found with regards to the potato strips in S1 and S3.
Question 3 [4]
(a) Cut thin sections of D-42 provided with a sharp razor or blade. Cut numerous
sections and then select a good section. Stain it with safranin. Mount it in
glycerine. Then observe it under the lower power of microscope and show your
slide to the visiting examiner.
(b) Make a neat fully labeled drawing of the section.
(c) (i) Identify the section.
(ii) Give two reasons in support of your answer in c (i)
Question 4 [5]
Identify the given specimens A to E. State two reasons to support your answer in each
case. Draw a neat labelled diagram of each specimen.
You will not be allowed to spend more than three minutes at each spot. You will hand
over your answer sheets to the supervisor after the last observation, as this question
will be attempted on separate continuation sheets.


Question 5
Show the following to the Visiting Examiner for assessment: -
Project [7]
Biology Practical File [3]
D-41: Capitulum or head of Sunflower OR Cosmos, OR Marigold of single ray florets.
D-42 : Preserved piece of dicot. Stem.
S1 : 30% sucrose solution. S2 : 5% sucrose solution. S3 : Distilled water.
Spots: A : T.S. of ovary of mammal
B : Potato osmoscope
C : T.S. of spinal cord
D : T.S. of dicot. Leaf
E : V.S. of kidney
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ISC Specimen Question Paper
39