IAS Mains Botany Paper 2013

IAS Prelims & Mains GS and Optional Lectures, Model Answers, and Notes at doorsteptutor.com.

Paper-I

Section – A

Q.1 Briefly describe the following in not more than 150 words each:

(a) Role of microbes in medicine industry

(b) Various kinds of biofertilizers and their uses

(c) Different types of life cycles found in algae

(d) Types of protosteles

(e) Lysogenic type of life cycle in viruses

Q.2

(a) With the help of suitable diagrams, describe the life cycle of a heteroecious rust.

(b) Describe the various methods of genetic recombination in bacteria.

(c) Discuss the importance of totipotency in tissue culture.

Q.3 Draw well-labelled diagrams of the following:

(a) LS of antheridiophore of Funaria

(b) LS of sporophyle of Anthoceros

(c) Section through a sorus of fern

(d) Female thallus with archegoniophore of Marchantia

Q.4 Give the organism, symptoms and control measures of the following:

(a) Wilt of Arhar

(b) Green ear disease of Bajra

(c) Tundu disease of Wheat

(d) Red rot of Sugarcane

Section – B

Q.5 Describe the following in about 150 words each:

(a) Beta taxonomy

(b) NPC system

(c) Application of palynology

(d) Distribution of cycads in India

(e) Double fertilization

Q.6 Write an account of the floral structure of each of the following families. Give the botanical names of three important plant species belonging to each of the three families and specify their uses:

(a) Poaceae

(b) Liliaceae

(c) Asclepiadaceae

Q.7 Describe the following:

(a) Type of endosperms

(b) Type of ovules

(c) Apomixis

Q.8

(a) Give the botanical names of ten important fibre-yielding plants and describe their uses.

(b) Compare and contrast Bentham and Hooker՚s system of classification with Hutchinson՚s system of classification.

Paper-II

Section – A

Q.1 Giving reasons explain the consequences of:

(a) Exposing polytene chromosomes to actinomycin

(b) Illegitimate crossing over between a normal and an accessory chromosome.

(c) Intra allelic recombination.

(d) Removal of histone from a cell.

(e) Exposing dividing cells to CdkI.

Q.2

(a) Describe in detail the information, structure and chemical composition of glycocalyx.

(b) Citing a suitable example explain tripartite type of sex determination.

(c) Explain how GISH can be used for identifying the putative ancestors of a plant.

Q.3

(a) “Genes do not arise de novo.” Kepping in view this fact describe the phenomena that must have helped in increasing the number of genes during evolution.

(b) Whare are CMS genes located and how do these act? What are restorer genes?

(c) With the help of any well established example explain how replacement of a purine by a pyrimidine can induce mutations.

Q.4 Briefly describe characteristics and importance of the following:

(a) Pachytene

(b) Neo-darwinism

(c) Balanced lethal system

(d) Chi-square test

(e) Linkage

Section – B

Q.5 What would you conclude if:

(a) A previously lichen-rich area is now devoid of lichens.

(b) A species is added to the Red Data Book.

(c) Saffron corms transplanted to Delhi in December 2010 did not flower in 2011 did not flower in 2011 and 2012.

(d) A plant exhibits kranz anatomy.

(e) A pond is totally covered with Eichornia.

Q.6

(a) What are secondary metabolites? What is their use to the plants and to the human beings?

(b) Describe various sub types of the most abundant biological molecule present in plants.

(c) What is the difference between afforestation and reforestation? What are the gains and pitfalls of monoculture in forestation practices?

Q.7

(a) Describe various phytogeographical zones and their characteristics in India. Give further details of the zone which experiences high temperatures, restricted snowfall and high rainfall, and has adundance of Rhododendrons, Ferns, Orchids and Oaks.

(b) Differentiate between growth, development and differentiation and describe the factors that influence these processes.

(c) Discuss how our understanding of stress physiology will help in mitigating problems expected to arise because of rapid changes in global environment.

Q.8 How are these accomplished?

(a) Transport of solutes in phanerophytes.

(b) Proper planning before undertaking any developmental project to avoid its adverse impact on environment.

(c) Energy trapping.

(d) Overcoming seed dormancy.

(e) Control pollution by biotic means.