IAS Mains Botany Paper 2010
IAS Prelims & Mains GS and Optional Lectures, Model Answers, and Notes at doorsteptutor.com.
Paper-I
Section – A
Q.1 Answer the following in about 150 words each:
- Give an account of Heterothallism in fungi.
- Describe the process through which the bacterial genes are transferred from one bacterium to another by the viruses.
- Comment on Heterospory in Pteridophytes and its evolutionary significance.
- How would you test the clonal fidelity of the micropropagated plants? Describe.
Q.2
- Discuss ecological significance of Lichens.
- Distinguish clearly between Keratinophilic and Thermophilic fungi.
- Draw labeled diagrams of transverse and longitudinal sections of sporocarp of Marsilea.
Q.3
- What are somaclonal variations? How are these utilized for crop improvement?
- What is the importance of Bacillus thuringiensis in the current efforts to raise crop productivity?
- Write a note on Psilotum as a living fossil.
Q.4
- Differentiate the archegonium of Funaria from that of Anthoceros.
- With suitable examples, briefly describe the microbial processes occurring in the rhizosphere which help in plant growth.
- Five different types of spores are produced by the rust fungi. Mention their names and their salient points of distinction from each other.
Section – B
Q.5 Answer any three of the following in not more than 200 words each:
- Origin of angiosperms from gymnosperms is suggested on the basis of vessels. Give your critical comments.
- Describe the development of pollen exine and point out the role of sporopollenin.
- Name five edible oil yielding plants. Give their botanical names and families.
- Describe the fructification in Williamsonia.
Q.6
- With the help of labeled diagrams, compare the female gametophyte of Cycas with that of Gnctum.
- What are the changes that occur during the conversion of sapwood into heartwood? Which is more durable sapwood or heartwood. And why?
- Discuss whether the angiosperms are monophyletic or polyphyletic.
Q.7
- Give an account of the main events in the differentiation of a tracheary element.
- Give the botanical names of the plant species, their families, part used the uses of annatto and haematoxylin.
- Define agamospermy. What is its significance in crop improvement?
Q.8
- Describe the structure and function of synergids in angiosperms.
- With suitable examples, enumerate the floral characteristics of bird pollinated trees.
- Compare the androecium in the following groups of families:
- Malvaceae and Fabaceae
- Asclepiadaceae and Asteraceae
- Solanaceae and Brassicaceae
Paper-II
Section – A
Q.1 Explain any FOUR of the following in about 150 words each:
- Signal transduction in Prokaryotes
- Spontaneous mutations
- RFLPs
- Origin of mitochondria
- Normal distribution.
Q.2
- Explain FISH technique and its importance in understanding genomic relationships among species.
- Distinguish between:
- Smooth and rough ER
- Ribosomes and Peroxisomes
- Membrane proteins in ion transport.
Q.3. Differentiate between:
- Negative and positive gene regulation.
- Homologous and Heterologous recombinations.
- Exons and Introns.
- Transition and Transversion.
Q.4
- Describe in detail the Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfers in the development of transgenic crop plants.
- Describe the method of developing maize hybrids.
Section – B
Q.5 Explain any FOUR of the following in about 150 words each:
- Secondary metabolites and plant protection
- Photolysis of water
- Calcium in plant growth
- CDM
- Progressive ecological efficiency.
Q.6
- How would you distinguish between enzymes and co-enzymes?
- Differentiate between climacteric and non-climacteric fruits.
- Explain the process of fruit ripening and its regulation.
Q.7
- Explain photo-receptors and their role in regulation of plant growth.
- There are exceptions to the ecological phyramids. Explain.
- Explain the role of surface run-off in nutrient budget of ecosystems.
Q.8
- Mention the attributes of a species to make it invasive.
- Describe the role of growth regulators in sex expression of plants.
- Mention the ‘hot spots’ of India, and the reasons to recognize them as hot spots.
- ‘Feedback loops’ are the regulatory mechanisms that determine whatever changes take place in the ecosystem. Explain.