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16 previous year questions for Botany from 3 years. Practice with year-wise breakdown.
16
Questions
3
Years
2
Papers
Answer the following questions in about 150 words each :
(a) How many types of gametophytes are found in Lycopodium ? Why is it difficult to collect such prothalli in nature ? [10M]
(b) How does heterocyst differ from vegetative cell ? Mention the factors controlling its formation and add a note on functions of heterocysts. [10M]
(c) Explain how the numerical expression of data is utilized in plant systematics. [10M]
(d) “Mycoplasma causes serious diseases in humans, animals and plants.” Substantiate the statement with suitable examples. [10M]
(e) How does the infection of a pathogen affect the host plant physiology ? [10M]
Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each:
(a) Nuclear pore complex [10M]
(b) Epistasis [10M]
(c) Synaptonemal complex [10M]
(d) Amphidiploidy [10M]
(e) Lysosome [10M]
Answer the following questions in about 150 words each :
(a) Give an account of post-fertilization changes leading to formation of seeds in angiosperms. [10M]
(b) What are the various anomalies causing anomalous secondary growth in dicotyledonous plants ? [10M]
(c) Name three important Indian Botanical Gardens and discuss briefly the role of botanical gardens in modern plant research. [10M]
(d) Mention the botanical name and family of plants from which Aconite, Isabgol, Ashwagandha, Vasaka and Ipecac are obtained. [10M]
(e) What is embryo rescue ? How does this method help in crop improvement ? State two disadvantages of it. [10M]
Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each:
(a) Tests of significance [10M]
(b) Kranz anatomy and its significance [10M]
(c) Vernalization [10M]
(d) The IUCN Red List categories [10M]
(e) Endemism [10M]
Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each:
(a) Explain the types of variations found in the structure of chromosomes and discuss their importance and significance. [10M]
(b) Explain with at least two examples what is incomplete dominance and polygenic inheritance and what happens as a result of these events? [10M]
(c) Discuss what are cell receptors and how do they help in cell signalling? Elaborate the answer with the help of at least one example. [10M]
(d) Discuss with one example the role of RNA in the origin and evolution of life. [10M]
(e) Probability and distribution are two important factors which should always be taken into account to establish a successful breeding programme. Explain with a suitable example. [10M]
Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each:
(a) Explain what is secondary active transport. Discuss its importance in ion acquisition in plants. [10M]
(b) Discuss what is GOGAT? Comment on its catalytic function. [10M]
(c) Regulation of seed dormancy and germination by phytohormones. [10M]
(d) Metallophytes and their practical importance. [10M]
(e) Invasive alien species and their impact on biodiversity. [10M]
Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:
(a) What are prions? How do they differ from viruses? Mention few diseases caused by prions in animals and human beings. [10M]
(b) What is parasexuality in fungi? Explain the mechanism of parasexual cycle. What are the applications of parasexuality? [10M]
(c) State the distinguishing features of Cyanophyceae. Discuss the phylogeny and affinities of Cyanophyceae with other groups. [10M]
(d) Discuss the distribution of different modern species of Cycas found in India. Enumerate the fern characters observed in Cycas. [10M]
(e) State the principles of International Code of Botanical Nomenclature. How are Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) used in numerical taxonomy? [10M]
Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each: (a) Cell-cell adhesion mechanism (b) Structure and functions of cytoskeleton (c) Characteristics of triplet codon (d) Crossing over and its significance (e) Correlation, its types and significance
(a) Cell-cell adhesion mechanism [10M]
(b) Structure and functions of cytoskeleton [10M]
(c) Characteristics of triplet codon [10M]
(d) Crossing over and its significance [10M]
(e) Correlation, its types and significance [10M]
(a) Differentiate between polytene chromosomes and normal chromosomes. (b) Describe polygenic inheritance by giving suitable examples. (c) Describe the problems associated with gene transfer in plants. Write a note on the status of transgenic research in India.
(a) Differentiate between polytene chromosomes and normal chromosomes. [15M]
(b) Describe polygenic inheritance by giving suitable examples. [15M]
(c) Describe the problems associated with gene transfer in plants. Write a note on the status of transgenic research in India. [20M]
(a) What are the major requirements for a successful back-crossing programme? Describe its procedure, advantages and limitations. (b) Describe the mechanism involved in membrane transport and vesicular transport. (c) Describe the theory of natural selection and its significance.
(a) Major requirements for a successful back-crossing programme; procedure, advantages and limitations. [15M]
(b) Mechanism involved in membrane transport and vesicular transport. [15M]
(c) Theory of natural selection and its significance. [20M]
(a) Describe the structure, kinds, chemical nature, origin and functions of lysosomes. (b) Explain multiple alleles and their characteristics. How are they different from pseudoalleles? (c) Describe the procedure, requirements and efficiency level of gene amplification through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
(a) Structure, kinds, chemical nature, origin and functions of lysosomes. [20M]
(b) Multiple alleles and their characteristics; difference from pseudoalleles. [15M]
(c) Procedure, requirements and efficiency of gene amplification through PCR. [15M]
Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:
(a) Alphonse de Candolle classified plants of economic importance into various classes. List these classes and state two examples from each. [10M]
(b) What are the anatomical differences of the bundle sheath and mesophyll cells between C3 and C4 plants? [10M]
(c) Give an account of different types of trichomes found in modern angiosperms. Write a brief note on the systematic value of trichomes. [10M]
(d) Discuss the classification of vegetable fibers (excluding wood fibers) according to their botanical origin and give examples. [10M]
(e) How is the isolation of single cells done from intact plant organs and how is the viability of single cells assessed? [10M]
Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each: (a) Biological significance of mineral elements in plants (b) Photo-oxidation of water by photosystem II through oxygen-evolving complex (c) Photoperiodic induction and the perception site of photoperiodic stimulus (d) Role of light as a limiting factor in an ecosystem (e) Forests are an important wealth of the country
(a) Biological significance of mineral elements in plants [10M]
(b) Photo-oxidation of water by photosystem II through oxygen-evolving complex [10M]
(c) Photoperiodic induction and the perception site of photoperiodic stimulus [10M]
(d) Role of light as a limiting factor in an ecosystem [10M]
(e) Forests are an important wealth of the country [10M]
(a) What are nastic movements, their types and mechanism? Explain. (b) How is the transport of electrons and pumping of protons associated with ATP synthesis in mitochondria? Explain. (c) Why is the conservation of biodiversity important? Discuss the various steps adopted for it by our country.
(a) Nastic movements – types and mechanism; explanation. [15M]
(b) Electron transport and proton pumping linked with ATP synthesis in mitochondria. [15M]
(c) Importance of biodiversity conservation and steps adopted by our country. [20M]
(a) How can the reaction equilibrium and reaction rates be explained by using free energy diagram in a simple enzymatic reaction? (b) Explain the following: (i) Nitrate and nitrite reduction in the leaves of higher plants. (ii) Protection of enzyme nitrogenase against oxygen and hydrogen damage. (c) Comment on the following: (i) Biosphere reserves (ii) Red Data Book
(a) Explanation of reaction equilibrium and rates using free-energy diagram in an enzymatic reaction. [20M]
(b) Explanation of nitrate/nitrite reduction and protection of nitrogenase. [10M]
(c) Comments on Biosphere reserves and Red Data Book. [20M]
(a) (i) How do the three stages in fatty acid oxidation converge to conserve energy as ATP? (ii) What is β-oxidation? Describe various steps in fatty acid oxidation pathway involving saturated fatty acids. (b) Explain the transfer of energy between different trophic levels of an ecosystem. (c) What are the major gaseous pollutants and their sources? Explain the effects of air pollutants on human health.
(a) Fatty acid oxidation: convergence of three stages to conserve ATP; β-oxidation and steps for saturated fatty acids. [20M]
(b) Transfer of energy between different trophic levels of an ecosystem. [15M]
(c) Major gaseous pollutants, their sources and effects on human health. [15M]
We have 16 UPSC Mains Botany optional subject questions spanning 3 years (2023–2025).
Botany has 2 papers in UPSC Mains: Botany-I, Botany-II. Each paper carries 250 marks.