Confidential

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20.07.2016

Senior School Certificate Examination

July 2016 (Comptt.)
Marking Scheme - Biology (Theory)
Expected Answers/Value Points
General Instructions :
The Marking Scheme and mechanics of marking
1

In the marking scheme the marking points are separated by commas, one oblique line
(/) indicates acceptable alternative, two obliques (//) indicate complete acceptable
alternative set of marking points.

2.

Any words/phrases given within brackets do not have marks.

3.

Allow spelling mistakes unless the misspelt word has another biological meaning. Ignore
plurals unless otherwise stated in the marking scheme.

4.

In any question exclusively on diagram no marks on any description. But in questions on

descriptions, same value points may be marked on the diagrams as a subsitute.

5.

All awarded marks are to be written in the left hand margin at the end of the question or
its part.

6.

Place a tick () in red directly on the key/operative term or idea provided it is in correct
context. Place Half-tick wherever there is mark in the marking scheme. (Do not
place tick indiscriminately just to show that you have read the answer).

7.

If no marks are awarded to any part or question put a cross () at incorrect value portion
and mark it zero (in words only).

8.

Add up ticks or the half ticks for a part of the question, do the calculation if any, and write
the part total or the question total in the left hand margin.

9.

Add part totals of the question and write the question total at the end. Count all the ticks
for the entire question as a recheck and draw a circle around the question total to confirm
correct addition.

10.

If parts have been attempted at different places do the totalling at the end of the part
attempted last.

11.

If any extra part is attempted or any question is reattempted, score out the last one and
write extra.

12.

In questions where only a certain number of items are asked evaluate only that many
numbers in sequence as is asked ignoring all the extra ones even if otherwise correct.

13.

Transcribe the marks on the cover page. Add up question totals. Recheck the script
total by adding up circled marks in the script.

14.

Points/answer given in brackets in marking scheme are not so important and may be
ignored for marking.

57.1.3
SECTION A
1. Give an example of a polygenic trait in humans.
Ans. Skin colour/ height in humans (any other suitable example)

(1 Marks)

2. Identify A in the diagram and mention its function

Ans. A Offset
Function Vegetative propagation

( + =1 Marks)

3. Provide an instance where the population size of a species can be estimated

indirectly, without actually counting them or seeing them.
Ans. Tiger census in National parks and Tiger reserves was done on the basis of counting
pug marks /faecal pellets.
(1 Mark)
4. Give an example of a plant where the F2 Progeny of a monohybrid cross has same
genotypic and phenotypic ratios.
Ans. Snapdragon / Antirrhinum majus / Four Oclock plant / Mirabilis jalapa(1 Mark)
5. Name the technique that is used to alter the chemistry of genetic material (DNA,
RNA) to obtain desired result.
Ans. Genetic Engineering / Biochemical Engineering / Biotechnology

(1 Mark)

SECTION - B
6. (i) Name any two causative organisms responsible for ringworm.
(ii) State any two symptoms of the disease.
OR
(i) Name any two helminths which are known to be pathogenic to human.
(ii) List two symptoms of the diseases caused by any one of them.
Ans.(i) Microsporum/ Trichophyton/ Epidermophyton

+ =1
1

(ii) Symptoms- appearance of dry scaly lesions on various parts of the body, intense
itching in lesions, in the skin folds in the groin or between the toes. (Any two)
+ =1
(2 Marks)
OR
(i)
Ascaris , Wuchereria
+ =1
(ii) Symptoms- internal bleeding , muscular pain , fever, anaemia, blockage of the internal
passage (any two)/ chronic inflammation of the organs , deformities in genital organs
+=1
(2 Marks)
7. Explain the process of pollination in Vallisnaria.
Ans. The female flower reaches the surface of water by long stalk , male flower releases
the pollen grains on surface of water,pollen grains are carried by water currents,some of
them reach the stigma and achieve pollination.
x 4=2
(2 Marks)
8. Give two reasons for keeping beehives in crop fields during flowering period.
Ans. Keeping beehives in crop fields during flowering period increases pollination
efficiency, it improves yield of crops and honey.
1+1=2
(2 Marks)
9. Why are the environmentalists worried about the considerable increase in the level
of green house gases ? List the different green house gases other than carbon
dioxide.
Ans. Increase in the level of green house gases has led to heating of earth leading to
global warming / melting of glaciers/ rise in sea level that can flood the coastal areas
(any two)
+
Green house gases other than CO2 :Methane , CFCs, N2O

(all three =1,any two= )

10. Why does hnRNA need to undergo splicing ? Where does splicing occur in the cell ?
Ans. hn RNA has both exons and introns, Introns are non-coding regions , which are
removed by the process called splicing ,splicing occurs in the nucleus.
x 4=2
(2 Marks)
SECTION - C
11. Explain how and why controlled breeding experiment is carried out in cattle.
2

Ans. Controlled breeding experiment is carried out using artificial insemination.

Semen is collected from the male -chosen as parent, injected into the reproductive tract of
the selected female (cow), stored semen may be used at a later date and desirable matings
are carried out.
x4 =2
Helps overcome several problems of normal mating/ improve the quality and quantity of
desired yield
1
(3 Marks)

12. Explain the mode of action of Eco RI.

Ans. 12. EcoRI first inspects the length of a DNA sequence, then it binds with specific
recognition sequence of DNA, EcoRI cut each of the two strands of double helix at specific
points in their sugar phosphate backbones
// diagram with same value points to be accepted

(1x3=3 Marks)

13. How has the study of biotechnology helped in developing pest resistant cotton crop?
Explain.
Ans. Some strains of Bacillus thuringiensis produce proteins that kill insects (pests),
these crystals contain a toxic insecticidal protein, once the insect ingests this (inactive)
toxin it is converted into an active form, due to alkaline pH of the gut , activated toxin
binds to surface of midgut epithelial cells and creates pores , causing swelling and lysis
leading to death of pest
x 6=3
(3 Marks)
14. Why is molecular diagnosis preferred over conventional methods? Name any two
techniques giving one use of each.
Ans. To allow early detection
1
Example rDNA technology/ PCR / ELISA/ Probe (any two)
+ = 1
PCR- to detect low concentration of bacteria/ virus (HIV)
ELISA- to detect antigens / to detect antibodies produce by those antigens / to detect HIV
Probe- to detect a mutated gene (from a normal one)
(any two corresponding functions)
+ = 1
(3 Marks)
15. Explain by taking three different examples how do certain organisms pull through
the adverse conditions when unable to migrate under stressful period.
Ans. Hibernation winter sleep to escape in time ,eg. bears.
Aestivation summer sleep to avoid heat and desiccation, eg. snails/fish
Diapause suspended development/ activity , eg zooplanktons
Spore formation to tide over unfavourable conditions, eg fungi/ bacteria / lower plants.
Dormancy By reducing metabolic activity , eg. seeds
x 6=3
3

(any three with corresponding examples)

(3 Marks)

16. In a botanical garden of a city there is a huge banyan tree growing on which
hundreds of birds and thousands of insects live. Draw the pyramids of numbers and
also biomass represented by this community. Comment giving reasons on the two
different pyramids drawn.
Ans. Pyramid of Numbers Inverted, number is increasing as one moves from producers to
secondary consumers

(Shape , labeling , reason)

x 3= 1
Pyramids of Biomass- upright - a huge tree with maximum biomass supports several
birds with lesser biomass and insects with even lesser biomass

(Shape , labeling , reason)

x 3= 1
(3 Marks)

17. Flowering plants have developed many devices to discourage self - pollination and to
encourage cross - pollination. Explain three such devices.
OR
That does an interaction between pollen grains and its compatible stigma result in
after pollination? List two steps in sequence that follow after the process.
Ans. (i). Pollen release and stigma receptivity are not synchronized . Either the pollen is
released before the stigma becomes receptive or stigma becomes receptive much
before the release of pollen.
4

(ii) Anther and stigma are placed at different positions in such a way that pollen
cannot come in contact of stigma of the same flower
(iii) Self incompatibility which inhibits the pollen germination/ pollen tube growth in
the pistil of same flower or another flower of same plant.
(iv) Production of unisexual flowers .This condition prevents both autogamy and
geitonogamy (any three )
1x3=3
(3 Marks)
OR
There is continuous interaction between pollen grain and pistil which is mediated by the
chemical components of pollen.
1
Two steps :Pollen grain germinates on the stigma to produce pollen tube and the contents of the
generative cell move into the pollen tube ,Pollen tube grows through the tissue of stigma
and style by secreting enzyme.
1 + 1= 2
(3 Marks)
18. State any three functions of placenta in human female.
Ans. (i)Supply of oxygen to the embryo /nutrients to the embryo
(ii)Removes carbon-dioxide / removes waste material produced by the embryo.
(iii)Produces hormones like hCG- human Chorionic Gonadotropin/ hPL human
Placental Lactogen / estrogen / progestogen
(1x3=3 Marks)
19. Study the diagram given below:

Name the linkages X, Y, Z and the respective molecules formed by them.

Ans. X Glylosidic linkage, Nucleoside
Y- Phosphoester linkage , Nucleotide/ Adenylic Acid
Z- 3 5 phosphodiester linkage , dinucleotide

x 6=3
(3 Marks)

20. Explain the laws that Mendel derived from his monohybrid crosses.
Law of Dominance , states that factors that control characters occur in pairs and in
dissimilar pair one factor dominates (expresses itself) whereas the other recessive factor
does not express in the presence of the dominant one
+ 1= 1
Law of Segregation , states that during gamete formation the factors or alleles of a pair
segregate/ separate (from each other) and one gamete receives only one of the factors
+ 1= 1
(3 Marks)
21. Explain brood parasitism with the help of an example.
Ans. Parasitic bird lays its eggs in the nest of the host and lets host bird incubate them ,
eggs of parasitic bird have evolved to resemble the hosts eggs in size and colour to
reduce the chances of detection (by the host bird ), eg. Cuckoo( koel ) and crow
(1x 3 =3 Marks)

22. How are primary and secondary immune responses carried out in the human body?
Explain
Ans. . Primary response when the body encounters a pathogen , for the first time it produces
the primary response , which is of low intensity
x3=1
Secondary response subsequent encounter with the same pathogen , elicits a highly intensified
response , based on memory of immune system
x3=1
(3 Marks)
SECTION D
23. The government has hailed the practice of yoga and promoted it internationally. S
(a) When is yoga day celebrated ?
(b) Why is the need for practicing yoga fealt? Give one reason.
(c) Write any four benefits of practicing yoga.
Ans. . (a)21st June
1
(b) To improve physical / mental /spiritual health
1
(c) To feel positive / energetic/ flexibility in body / improving posture/relieves joint pains
/ helps in curing certain disease/any other relevant answer (any four)
x 4=2
(4 Marks)
SECTION - E
24. Taking a small pond as an example of an ecosystem list the four components of this
ecosystem. How do these components function as a unit in a small pond?
6

OR
Write the importance of species diversity to the Ecosystem. Support your answer
with the finding of Tilman.
Ans. Components of ecosystem:
Aboitic- air, water, soil , light, temperature , other climatic conditions
Biotic- producers phytoplanktons, some algae, floating and submerged plants,
Consumers- , - Zooplanktons
Decomposers-- fungi ,bacteria and other flagellates
(any four 1mark; any two- mark; at least one biotic and abiotic components should
be mentioned)
Components work as a unit for the following functions :
Productivity: conversion of inorganic into organic material with the help of solar energy /
consumption of autotrophs by heterotrophs
Decomposition : - decomposition and mineralisation of the dead matter and
Nutrient Cycling to release the nutrients / elements back for use by autotrophs
Energy Flow :- Unidirectional movement of energy and its subsequent dissipation as one
moves towards higher trophic levels
x 8=4
(5 Marks)
OR
David Tilmans experiments with more species in a plot showed less year to year
variation in total biomass , he also showed that increased diversity contributed to higher
productivity , so stable community should not show much variation in productivity, it
should be resistant to occasional disturbances (natural or man-made ), it must also be
resistant to invasion by alien species
(5 Marks)
25. (a) Explain the process of spermatogenesis in humans.
(b) Draw a human sperm and label Acrosome and middle piece. Mention their
functions.
OR
Arrange the terms given below in their order of occurrence describing their
structure and function in the early development of the human embryo
Implantation; cleavage; inner cell mass; trophoblast; blastomeres; endometrium;
morula; blastocyst.
Ans. (a)

 x 6=3
Explanation in lieu of the diagram to be accepted with same value points.

(b)

Acrosome =has enzymes that help to fertilize the ovum

middle piece=has mitochondria that produce energy for the movement of tail for sperm motility

(5 Marks)
8

OR
Correct order= cleavage ,blastomeres, morula ,blastocyst, trophoblast, inner cell mass ,
endometrium, implantation

Cleavage - mitotic divisions starts as the zygote moves through the oviduct towards the uterus
and form (2/4/8/16) daughter cells called blastomeres. Embryo with 8 to 16 blastomeres is called
a morula. Morula continues to divide and transforms into a blastocyst. Blastomeres in blastocyst
are arranged into an outer layer called trophoblast and an inner group of cells attached to
trophoblast called the inner cell mass. The trophoblast layer then gets attached to the
endometrium and inner cell mass differentiates as the embryo . Ultimately blastocyst becomes
embedded in the endometrium of uterus . This is called Implantation.
x 8 =4
(5 Marks)

26. (a) Explain the role of regulatory gene, operator, promoter and structural genes in
lac operon when E.Coli is growing in a culture medium with the source of energy as
lactose.
(b) Mention what would happen if lactose is withdrawn from the culture medium.
OR
How did Darwin explain adaptive radiation? Give another example of animals
exhibiting adaptive radiation.
Ans. (a) Regulatory gene, codes for repressor of lac operon
1
Operator ; provides site

for binding of repressor protein to prevent transcription

Promoter ; provides site for binding of RNA polymerase

1
1

Structural Genes; codes for enzymes / gene products required for metabolism of lactose 1
(b) If Lactose is withdrawn from the culture medium the operon is not induced or expressed1
(5 Marks)
OR
Darwin observed many varieties of finches on the same island , from original seed eating
features, many other forms with altered beaks arose , enabling them to become insectivorous and
vegetarian finches , this process of evolution of different species in a given geographical area ,
starting from a point , and literally radiating to, other areas of geography is called adaptive
radiation .
x 8 =4
Another example= Australian Marsupials

1
(5 Marks)