Birla Public School, Doha - Qatar

Pre Board - I Examination – NOVEMBER 2024

Serial No. XXXXX Code No. 044/ X/ 2

BIOLOGY
Class: XII Time Allowed:3 hrs
Date: 10.11.2024 Maximum marks: 70
___________________________________________________________________________
General Instructions:
1. All questions are compulsory.
2. The question paper has five sections and 33 questions.
3. Section–A has 16 questions of 1 mark each; Section–B has 5 questions of 2 marks
each; Section– C has 7 questions of 3 marks each; Section– D has 2 case-based
questions of 4 marks each; and Section–E has 3 questions of 5 marks each.
4. There is no overall choice. However, internal choices have been provided in some
questions. A student has to attempt only one of the alternatives in such questions.
5. Wherever necessary, neat and properly labeled diagrams should be drawn.
6. This Question Paper has 12 printed pages.
7. Reading time is 15 minutes
8. Question paper attempting time 3 hrs.

SECTION - A
1. In oocyte secondary maturation occurs in
a) ovary
b) abdominal cavity
c) Fallopian tube
d) uterus. [1]
2. How do the 3 cells of the egg apparatus communicate?
a) Plasmodesmata
b) Nucellus
c) Cytokine
d) Vacuole [1]
3. RNA polymerase III transcribes
a) tRNA b) mRNA c) hnRNA d) rRNA [1]

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4. which of the following loop in the given diagram has ribosome recognition site?

a) D-loop b) T-loop
c) Anticodon Loop d) None of the above [1]

5. In mice, Y is the dominant allele for yellow fur an y is the recessive allele for grey fur.
Since Y is lethal when homozygous, the result of cross Yy × Yy will be
a) 3 yellow : 1 grey
b) 2 yellow : 1 grey
c) 1 yellow : 1 grey
d) 1 yellow : 2 grey [1]

6. How many base pairs are present in Escherichia coli?

a) 9856 bases
b) 4.6 x 106 bp
c) 3.3 x 109 bp
d) 10,000 bases [1]

7. Which of the following is not an attribute associated with Mendel’s studies?

a) Mathematical analysis
b) Larger sampling size
c) A reliable and credible data source generation
d) Frequent killing of the model organism [1]

8. ______ organism’s plasmid was used for the construction of first recombinant DNA.
a) Cyanobacteria
b) Bacillus subtilis
c) Saccharomyces cerevisiae
d) Salmonella typhimurium [1]

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9. Which of the following statements is not related to mycorrhiza?
a) Many members of genus Glomus forms mycorrhiza
b) Fungal symbiont absorbs nitrogen
c) Plants show resistance to root-borne pathogens
d) There is an overall increase in plant growth and development [1]

10. The homologous organs are those that show similarities in

a) size
b) origin
c) function
d) appearance [1]

11. The transformants containing ______ gene will grow on plates containing
antibiotics.
a) antibiotic-resistance
b) amino acid
c) selectable marker
d) vitamin-resistance [1]

12. Which antibiotic inhibits peptide bond formation?

a) Streptomycin
b) Tetracyclin
c) Chloramphenicol
d) Neomycin [1]

Question No. 13 to 16 consist of two statements – Assertion (A) and Reason (R).
Answer these questions selecting the appropriate option given below:
A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A and R are true and R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is true but R is false.
D. A is False but R is true.

13. Assertion : In most angiosperms, microspores of a tetrad grow and separate from
one another shortly after meiosis.
Reason : In the members of families Orchidaceae and Asclepiadaceae, all the pollen
grains of a sporangium remain united to form a compact structure called pollinium. [1]

14. Assertion :A single mRNA strand is capable to produce different polypeptide chains.
Reason : The mRNA strand has terminator codons. [1]

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15. Assertion: Cheese is one of the oldestfood items in which microbes ere used.
Reason: Different varieties of cheese are known by their charateristic texture, flavour
and taste, the specificity coming from the microbes were used. [1]

16. Assertion : Restriction enzyme cuts both vector DNA and foreign DNA at the same
site
Reason: Both plasmid and bacteriophages have the ability to replicate within bacterial
cells independent of the control of chromosomal DNA. [1]

SECTION - B

17. Attempt either option A or B.

A. The technique involves taking a sample of B from within the uterus. Fetal cells in the
sample are then grown and analysed. Identify the name of analysis and write the
importance by performing the technique.

OR

B. (i) Write the role hormones in parturition.

(ii) All copulations will not lead to fertilization. Why? [2]

18. Attempt either option A or B.

A. List out the processes involved in each step based on given diagram

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 OR
B. Based on the given figure shows the process of transcription possible and
transcription prevented. Identify the defined proteins involved in this process and
differentiate it.

[2]

19. The image below shows the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

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A. Write the functions of structure X.

B. Point out the metabolic functions of reverse transcriptase. [2]

20. A culture plate of Lactobacillus shows blue-coloured colonies and colourless colonies.
Explain the principle involved in the formation of such variance in the colour of colonies.
[2]

21. Attempt either option A or B

A. The effect of introducing beavers on the species diversity of birds and bats was studied
in four areas: on river banks, one without any beaver activity and one where beavers are
present, and then ponds, again, one without beaver activity and one where beavers were
present. The graph below shows the calculated Simpson’s reciprocal index of Diversity
for each area.

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(i) State two necessary measurements to calculate Simpson’s reciprocal index of
diversity.
(ii) Suggest three anthropogenic activities that could have led to the extinction of the
beavers in the UK. [2]
OR
B. The Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) has been described as a species that promotes
biodiversity. Beavers are herbivores that feed on freshwater plants and tree bark. They
use their sharp front teeth to fell trees and use the logs and branches to build dams that
create pools in which they can build their lodge. A beaver lodge is a construction in which
they nest and raise their young, providing protection from predators.

Suggest ways in which the reintroduction of beavers can increase biodiversity.

SECTION – C
22. (i) Why does endosperm development precede embryo development in angiosperm
seeds ? State the role of endosperm in mature albuminous seeds.
(ii) Describe with the help of three labelled diagrams the different embryonic stages
that include mature embryo of dicot plants. [3]
23. The process of reproduction is controlled by a series of hormones. The graph below
shows changes in the levels of reproductive hormones A-D in females during a single
menstrual cycle.

The hormone oestrogen is involved in both positive and negative feedback loops within
the menstrual cycle.
Explain how oestrogen functions in both positive and negative feedback within the
menstrual cycle. [3]
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24. The image below shows a short fragment of the DNA molecule.

A. Suggest one possible problem that could arise if DNA consisted of two parallel
strands instead of two antiparallel strands.

B. Compare and contrast the structure of DNA and RNA. [3]

25. The Hershey-Chase experiment in 1952 involved cultured viruses that were
radioactively labelled with either sulfur (35S) or phosphorus (32P) in two separate flasks.
Each batch of viruses was then added to separate cultures of bacteria. After allowing time
for the viruses to infect the bacteria, the culture solutions were centrifuged to separate
the viral remains from the bacterial cells, forming two layers, the pellet and the
supernatant.

A. State reasons for using radioactive sulfur (35S) and phosphorus (32P).
B. Suggest one technological development, other than radioisotopes, that helped open
up possibilities in understanding the overall structure of DNA.
C. Outline the results of the experiment that provided evidence to support the
conclusion that DNA is the genetic material.
D. Explain how DNA can be packaged into compact units to form chromatin. [3]

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26. Bio-fertilisers are organisms that enrich the nutrient quality in the soil. Explain the role
of main sources of bio-fertilisers. [3]

27. Explain how PCR technique can be used for amplification of a small amount of gene
template. [3]

28. An animal at risk of extinction is the Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus),

shown in the image below. There are thought to be fewer than 80 in the world. [3]

A. Suggest two methods scientists could use to prevent its extinction, with a reason for
each.
B. Define Tilman hypothesis. [3]

Section – D

29. A scientist used a mathematical model that describes the interaction of the human
immune system with HIV to simulate the effect of HIV drugs on HIV-infected patients. Her
goal was to determine the optimal time to begin treating HIV-infected patients. Graphs A,
B, and C show some of the results of the scientist’s simulation.

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A. Predicting Look at graph A in Figure 40-3. Predict the T cell concentration of an HIV-
infected person at 1000 days after infection. Give a range for your answer. [1]

B. Drawing Conclusions Look at graphs B and C in Figure 49-3. Based on these two
graphs, what conclusion can you draw about the optimal time to begin drug treatment
after a person becomes infected with HIV? Keep in mind that these drugs are damaging
to the body and unpleasant to take. Use the data in graphs B and C to support your
answer. [2]

Attempt either subpart C or D

C. Analyzing Data Based on graphs A and B in Figure 40-3, what happens to T cell
concentration between days 800 and 1200 during an HIV infection? [1]
OR
D. What is the role of and reverse transcriptase in HIV ? [1]

30. Assuming that within a population of beetles where Hardy Weinberg conditions are
met, the colour black (B) is dominant over the colour red (b). 40% of all beetles are red
(bb).

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Given this information, answer the questions below:
A. What is the frequency of red beetles? [1]
B. Calculate is the percentage of beetles in the population that are heterozygous. [2]

Attempt either subpart C or D

C. What is the frequency of homozygous dominant individuals? [1]
OR
D. Assuming that Hardy Wienberg conditions are met in the beetle population consisting
of 1500 beetles. How many beetles would you expect to be black and red in colour
respectively? [1]

SECTION – E

31. Attempt either option A or B

A. Depending on the sources of pollen, pollination can be divided into three types with
subtypes.
(i). Explain all the types of pollination with suitable examples
(ii). Which are the methods is followed to prevent certain type of pollination i.e.,
geitonogamy and X ? Define the method and explain.
(iii). Give a short note on pollen-pistil interaction. [5]

OR
B.
(i) Explain the events taking place at the time of fertilization of an ovum in a human
female.
(ii) Name and explain the role of inner and middle walls of human uterus.
(iii). Name and draw a labelled sectional view of the embryonic stage that gets
implanted.
(iv). Placenta called as an endocrine gland. Why? [5]

32. Attempt either option A or B

A.
(i) Define biopiracy
(ii) Expand GEAC and write its role.
(iii) How to prevent or protect the traditional knowledge related to bio-resources can
be exploited?
(iv) What are the issues to be solved by enforcing the second amendment of the
Indian Patents Bill by the Indian Parliament. [5]

OR
B.
(i) Define transgenic animals.
(ii). What are the biological products was produced using transgenic animals. List
out the bioproducts name. Write the roles of each bioproduct.
(iii). How to prevent or protect the traditional knowledge related to bio-resources can
be exploited?

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 (iv). What are the issues to be solved by enforcing the second amendment of the
Indian Patents Bill by the Indian Parliament. [5]

33. Attempt either option A or B

A. Mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) were reclassified from "Critically
Endangered" to "Endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature
(IUCN) in November 2018. This change in status was a significant conservation success
story, reflecting the positive impact of concerted efforts by governments, conservation
organisations, and local communities to protect and increase the population of this
subspecies of the eastern gorilla. The table below shows the changes in the number of
mountain gorillas from 2010 to 2018.

(i) Calculate the percentage increase in the number of gorillas from 2010 to 2018.

(ii) Although the mountain gorilla is rarely seen in zoos, another gorilla subspecies, the
western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) is. Explain how zoos play a critical role in
the conservation of endangered species.

Studies have shown that the invasive plant species Sericostachys scandens affects
forest composition and may affect the Grauer’s gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri) recovery
in Congo.

(iiI) Outline two precautions that should be taken before considering biological control of
invasive plants such as these. [5]

OR
B.
(i) Name the two types of desirable approaches to conserve biodiversity? Explain with
examples bringing out the difference between the two types.
(ii) State the features of a stable biological community?
(iii) Discuss the species-Area relationships with graph. [5]

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